The train of empties rounds the bend, and is seen here about to enter the Cramer tunnel - Minnesota's longest. The sun was cooperative throughout the day, making for a most enjoyable chase.
Our first shot of the day was taken from the overpass at Salem, in the middle of the woods. You could hear the train coming for at least ten minutes before it showed itself. Luckily the shadows cl... (more)
Cliffs Erie F9A 4210 leads three F9Bs and 12 loaded cars upgrade towards Tunnel Siding.
Cliffs Erie F9A 4210 rolls down the hill into Taconite Harbor with cars from Hoyt Lakes. They'll be loaded with chips and fines, then taken up the hill to Tunnel Siding twelve cars at a time to m... (more)
Cliffs Erie F9A 4210 backs down to pick up 12 more empty cars for loading with chips and fines. The massive dock - now unused - stands in the background.
Cliffs Erie F9A 4210 shoves 12 loads of chips and fines onto the previous cars brought up to Tunnel Siding.
Cliffs Erie 4210 pops its nose out of the west portal of Cramer Tunnel, the longest tunnel in the state of Minnesota.
A rare A-B-B-B-A set of F9s heads west with 24 side dump cars loaded with ore reclaimed from the dock at Taconite Harbor. Only a few more of these moves are remaining.
No where else in the U.S. today could you find an A-B-B-B-A set of F9s in freight service, but it happened today after ex-Erie Mining F9A 4211, now owned by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum was p... (more)
The F9s are about to enter the longest railroad tunnel in Minnesota, on the downbound trip to Taconite Harbor.
The F9s head towards Taconite Harbor in the thick morning fog.
The loaded dump cars have been shoved towards the dock, as F9 4210 backs down the hill to pick up another twelve cars.
A railroad worker "flags" the crossing.
Cliffs Erie F units working hard with 12 loads of chips and fines bound for Tunnel Siding.
