After a failed attempt to climb this hill a short time earlier in a heavy rainstorm, two C30-7s dig in to start climbing with 60 loads of ore pellets. The cascade green paint alludes to their prev... (more)
The Marquette Range Sub wayfreight is on the way to interchange cars with the LS&I at Queens and pick up southbound CN traffic at Partridge Siding. It is skirting the shore of Goose Lake. The old ... (more)
It's a calm morning just after sunup as an empty ore train skirts Goose Lake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Runs to Empire Mine such as this face a dim future as the open pit iron mine is slated t... (more)
Spring storms have paused long enough for the sun to break through as the 3-Tilden backs up to make another attempt to draw 60 loaded ore cars up the grade they previously stalled on during a heav... (more)
C&NW Alco #6720 is entering home rails at Empire Junction as it brings the first cut of cars out of Empire mine. They will return to the mine for a second cut of cars before they reassemble their ... (more)
After stopping to throw the switch at Empire Junction, LS&I 1850 does what Alco's do best as they continue their journey to the Eagle Mills yard.
A gleaming U25C and two U23C's, each one representing a different LS&I paint scheme, approach Eagle Junction with a train of ore from the Tilden mine.
A pair of big blue ACs roll through the rock cuts on their way to Tilden for a load of pellets
A pair of LS&I's veteran GE's are seen entering the wye at Empire junction making there way up to the mine. With the Cascade Green quickly being phased out it was a welcomed sight and sound.
Vintage GE models continue to earn their keep on LS&I as C30-7s 3074 and 3073 lead 120 empty ore cars back to the mine at Eagle Mills Junction. A handful of U30Cs are also serviceable while eight ... (more)
Eastbound CN local departs Palmer Jct for Escanaba in a winter wonderland.
The Hill Job heads passes through the rock cut at Eagle Mills Jct on its way to Empire Mine.
The Soo, LS&I and C&NW shared track west of Eagle Mills to near Ishpeming. This was CTC controlled by the LS&I control operator in Eagle Mills. I had been following Soo 4407 westbound out of Marqu... (more)
There is no mistaking the commodity hauled by the LS&I - taconite (iron ore) pellets.
A pair of CEFX AC4400CWs accelerate out of Empire Jct with Empire Mine in the background.
