U713 At Alborn
Continuing to fill in photos from last spring (before I head back next week!) here's another shot from this fabulous morning southbound chase, one of the tops of the trip for sure. Canadian National train U713 has a trainload of pellets fresh from the Minntac taconite plant headed south to Proctor Yard. The sizzling train is has the same tunnel motor trio from the prior day hustling along with with fan favorite rebuilt SD40-3 BLE 909 (originally built as an SD45T-2 in Feb. 1973 as SSW 9277) leading the way. They are seen here approaching the Swan Lake Road crossing at MP 32.4 on modern day CN's North Division Missabe Sub mainline.
This is an area that needs 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
Alborn, Minnesota
Tuesday May 9, 2023
U713 At Alborn
Continuing to fill in photos from last spring (before I head back next week!) here's another shot from this fabulous morning southbound chase, one of the tops of the trip for sure. Canadian National train U713 has a trainload of pellets fresh from the Minntac taconite plant headed south to Proctor Yard. The sizzling train is has the same tunnel motor trio from the prior day hustling along with with fan favorite rebuilt SD40-3 BLE 909 (originally built as an SD45T-2 in Feb. 1973 as SSW 9277) leading the way. They are seen here approaching the Swan Lake Road crossing at MP 32.4 on modern day CN's North Division Missabe Sub mainline.
This is an area that needs 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
Alborn, Minnesota
Tuesday May 9, 2023