Down On The Transfer
Here's another from my recent Minnesota trip that was on my wish list. When we were here in May we only got one train here at the 37th Avenue crossing and it wasn't the classic head on view of a train coming south under the DMIR docks, so I prioritized that this time.
This is an interesting stretch of track because it sees trains of four different Class 1s operate on it, owner BNSF, and trains of CPKC, UP, and CN which are successors to legacy Twin Ports carriers Soo, CNW, and DMIR. Dating from 1892 the tracks here were once owned by the short Duluth Transfer Railway, a Northern Pacific subsidiary. Note the twin mileposts with the 2.51 at right being the BNSF's ex NP/DTRR mileage and the 0 at left which is the beginning of CN's ex Missabe mainline. To learn more about the NP and the Duluth Transfer check out this tremendous link: zenithcity.com/archive/historic-industry/the-northern-pac...
Just about to cross Merrit Creek and 37th Avenue is CPKC's morning Duluth Yard job JS12 headed from Rices Point Yard to Stinson Yard in Superior by way of BNSF's running track and the Grassy Point Draw over the Saint Louis Bay. The lone Canadian Pacific GP20C-ECO has a lengthy cut from the Port of Duluth and CN's isolated intermodal terminal that they transfer to Pokegama Yard.
In the background at right berthed up beside CN's ex DMIR Dock 6 taking on a load of iron ore is the American Steamship Company's American Spirit. The self unloading bulk carrier was built in 1978 by American Shipbuilding of Lorraine, OH for the National Steel Corporation, to be managed by Hanna Mining Company and was originally named the George A. Stinson. At 1004 ft long she was the 7th thousand footer on the Great Lakes and one of 13 still sailing (including one which is technically and ITB).
Duluth, Minnesota
Wednesday October 4, 2023
Down On The Transfer
Here's another from my recent Minnesota trip that was on my wish list. When we were here in May we only got one train here at the 37th Avenue crossing and it wasn't the classic head on view of a train coming south under the DMIR docks, so I prioritized that this time.
This is an interesting stretch of track because it sees trains of four different Class 1s operate on it, owner BNSF, and trains of CPKC, UP, and CN which are successors to legacy Twin Ports carriers Soo, CNW, and DMIR. Dating from 1892 the tracks here were once owned by the short Duluth Transfer Railway, a Northern Pacific subsidiary. Note the twin mileposts with the 2.51 at right being the BNSF's ex NP/DTRR mileage and the 0 at left which is the beginning of CN's ex Missabe mainline. To learn more about the NP and the Duluth Transfer check out this tremendous link: zenithcity.com/archive/historic-industry/the-northern-pac...
Just about to cross Merrit Creek and 37th Avenue is CPKC's morning Duluth Yard job JS12 headed from Rices Point Yard to Stinson Yard in Superior by way of BNSF's running track and the Grassy Point Draw over the Saint Louis Bay. The lone Canadian Pacific GP20C-ECO has a lengthy cut from the Port of Duluth and CN's isolated intermodal terminal that they transfer to Pokegama Yard.
In the background at right berthed up beside CN's ex DMIR Dock 6 taking on a load of iron ore is the American Steamship Company's American Spirit. The self unloading bulk carrier was built in 1978 by American Shipbuilding of Lorraine, OH for the National Steel Corporation, to be managed by Hanna Mining Company and was originally named the George A. Stinson. At 1004 ft long she was the 7th thousand footer on the Great Lakes and one of 13 still sailing (including one which is technically and ITB).
Duluth, Minnesota
Wednesday October 4, 2023