Pulling Into 2H
Having successfully navigated the 3% descent into town a U789 train of loaded taconite pellets from Minntac is pulling into the Two Harbors receiving yard at the south end of CN's North Division Iron Range Subdivision mainline. The standard three pack of ex CNW C40-8s have a train of modern CN era ore cars (over 1000 of which were acquired between 2009 and 2018) on the historic former Duluth, and Iron Range side of the railroad which saw its first load of ore arrive from Soudan mine in 1884. Immediately behind the locomotives is the dumping shed that feeds a conveyor that can send pellets to the stockpile or to the pockets on the south side of Dock 2. This system was installed in 1978 when half the tracks were removed from the massive 1916 built dock. Beyond that above the tree tops can be seen Agate Bay and the cold blue water 'of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee.'
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
Two Harbors, Minnesota
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Pulling Into 2H
Having successfully navigated the 3% descent into town a U789 train of loaded taconite pellets from Minntac is pulling into the Two Harbors receiving yard at the south end of CN's North Division Iron Range Subdivision mainline. The standard three pack of ex CNW C40-8s have a train of modern CN era ore cars (over 1000 of which were acquired between 2009 and 2018) on the historic former Duluth, and Iron Range side of the railroad which saw its first load of ore arrive from Soudan mine in 1884. Immediately behind the locomotives is the dumping shed that feeds a conveyor that can send pellets to the stockpile or to the pockets on the south side of Dock 2. This system was installed in 1978 when half the tracks were removed from the massive 1916 built dock. Beyond that above the tree tops can be seen Agate Bay and the cold blue water 'of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee.'
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
Two Harbors, Minnesota
Wednesday May 10, 2023