The Skyline Drive Shot
Sure, everyone does it and I've seen better iterations in better light, but this is one of those places I've always dreamed of seeing coffee myself. Sadly the parking lot here on Skyline Drive seems to be a popular hangout for the seedier elements of Duluth and hence it was covered with an utterly disgusting amount of trash and litter all in the woods along the hillside which definitely detracted from the experience.
Regardless, the view did not disappoint with the sweeping vista of St. Louis Bay and massive port infrastructure lining both sides. The morning Proctor crew has a trio of tunnel motors led by fan favorite SD40-3 BLE 909 (originally built as an SD45T-2 in Feb. 1973 as SSW 9277) strung out on Dock 6 as they finish unloading pellets. This dock was built by the Duluth, Missabe and Northern in 1917 while the snaking trackless trestle at right leads to Dock 5 which dates from two years prior. Alas the mile long s-curve trestle approach and the dock itself felt the weight of their last train in 1985 and remain as an abandoned monument to the shrinkage of of the once mighty domestic steel industry. To see some fabulous photos from years past and to learn more about the docks I found this post super interesting:
towns-and-nature.blogspot.com/2022/05/duluth-mn-cndm-5-an...
The track leading downhill and curving of to the left is the mainline that takes the Run Down trestle to Missabe Junction and water level where limestone trains access the docks via BNSF's ex NP waterfront trackage. In the background is the Midwest Energy coal terminal served by BNSF and occasionally Union Pacific (sharp eyes will note a UP train at the dumper) and beyond that the 12 million bushel capacity General Mills elevators S and X. To learn about the coal terminal and the changing market check out this: www.minnpost.com/environment/2020/04/as-energy-use-change...
And to learn about the various elevators and capacities in the twin ports this is a cool link: www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=28295&article_id=2827...
This is a railroad 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
Duluth, Minnesota
Wednesday May 10, 2023
The Skyline Drive Shot
Sure, everyone does it and I've seen better iterations in better light, but this is one of those places I've always dreamed of seeing coffee myself. Sadly the parking lot here on Skyline Drive seems to be a popular hangout for the seedier elements of Duluth and hence it was covered with an utterly disgusting amount of trash and litter all in the woods along the hillside which definitely detracted from the experience.
Regardless, the view did not disappoint with the sweeping vista of St. Louis Bay and massive port infrastructure lining both sides. The morning Proctor crew has a trio of tunnel motors led by fan favorite SD40-3 BLE 909 (originally built as an SD45T-2 in Feb. 1973 as SSW 9277) strung out on Dock 6 as they finish unloading pellets. This dock was built by the Duluth, Missabe and Northern in 1917 while the snaking trackless trestle at right leads to Dock 5 which dates from two years prior. Alas the mile long s-curve trestle approach and the dock itself felt the weight of their last train in 1985 and remain as an abandoned monument to the shrinkage of of the once mighty domestic steel industry. To see some fabulous photos from years past and to learn more about the docks I found this post super interesting:
towns-and-nature.blogspot.com/2022/05/duluth-mn-cndm-5-an...
The track leading downhill and curving of to the left is the mainline that takes the Run Down trestle to Missabe Junction and water level where limestone trains access the docks via BNSF's ex NP waterfront trackage. In the background is the Midwest Energy coal terminal served by BNSF and occasionally Union Pacific (sharp eyes will note a UP train at the dumper) and beyond that the 12 million bushel capacity General Mills elevators S and X. To learn about the coal terminal and the changing market check out this: www.minnpost.com/environment/2020/04/as-energy-use-change...
And to learn about the various elevators and capacities in the twin ports this is a cool link: www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=28295&article_id=2827...
This is a railroad 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
Duluth, Minnesota
Wednesday May 10, 2023