Blasting By Biwabik
The slightly overpowered MRF (Miscellaneous Road Freight - officially train L594) has a 2 to 1 power to car ratio with IC 6260, DMIR 400, CN 6017, and CN 2011 leading one loaded centerbean and one random loaded ore car as they fly north at MP 59.9 on modern day CN's North Division Iron Range Subdivision mainline. The local freight is making a turn from Two Harbors to Keenan Yard and return via the former Duluth and Iron Range Railroad which was the other component half of the DMIR created in 1938 when the two roads long owned by US Steel were officially merged. Today Biwabik is home to a 6118 ft passing siding and a small little used yard, but in the old raw ore days it was bustling as a marshaling point for the mine branches seemingly radiating in all directions as well as the main continuing into Virginia.
This is a region that should need no introduction to even the most casual fan as the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway is in a word legendary. I won't bore you with pages of history as I couldn't do the road or region justice anyway. It simply needs to be experienced for oneself. But I will direct you to two resources. Absolutely check out the fabulous historical information here: www.missabe.com/
And for a fabulously well written overview of modern CN operations find yourself a copy of the April 2023 edition of Railfan and Railroad right now! shop.whiteriverproductions.com/products/rfr-202304
Biwabik, Minnesota
Friday May 12, 2023
Blasting By Biwabik
The slightly overpowered MRF (Miscellaneous Road Freight - officially train L594) has a 2 to 1 power to car ratio with IC 6260, DMIR 400, CN 6017, and CN 2011 leading one loaded centerbean and one random loaded ore car as they fly north at MP 59.9 on modern day CN's North Division Iron Range Subdivision mainline. The local freight is making a turn from Two Harbors to Keenan Yard and return via the former Duluth and Iron Range Railroad which was the other component half of the DMIR created in 1938 when the two roads long owned by US Steel were officially merged. Today Biwabik is home to a 6118 ft passing siding and a small little used yard, but in the old raw ore days it was bustling as a marshaling point for the mine branches seemingly radiating in all directions as well as the main continuing into Virginia.
This is a region that should need no introduction to even the most casual fan as the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway is in a word legendary. I won't bore you with pages of history as I couldn't do the road or region justice anyway. It simply needs to be experienced for oneself. But I will direct you to two resources. Absolutely check out the fabulous historical information here: www.missabe.com/
And for a fabulously well written overview of modern CN operations find yourself a copy of the April 2023 edition of Railfan and Railroad right now! shop.whiteriverproductions.com/products/rfr-202304
Biwabik, Minnesota
Friday May 12, 2023