Down Under The Docks
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 a CN Proctor Yard job bringing a string of ore hoppers down to the waterfront presumably for limestone loading at CN-Hallett Dock 5. The train is led by a pair of rebuilt tunnel motors bracketing an SD40-2, BLE 903, IC 6261, and DMIR 408 all in CN dress.
In the background at right berthed up beside CN's ex DMIR Dock 6 taking on a load of iron ore is the Interlake Steamship Company's M/V Mesabi Miner. The self unloading bulk carrier was laid down in 1975 by American Shipbuilding of Lorraine, OH and christened in 1977 to honor the men and women of Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range. She has always been part of the Interlake fleet and at 1004 ft long she was the 4th thousand footer on the Great Lakes and one of 13 still sailing (including one which is technically and ITB).
Duluth, Minnesota
Sunday October 8, 2023
Down Under The Docks
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 a CN Proctor Yard job bringing a string of ore hoppers down to the waterfront presumably for limestone loading at CN-Hallett Dock 5. The train is led by a pair of rebuilt tunnel motors bracketing an SD40-2, BLE 903, IC 6261, and DMIR 408 all in CN dress.
In the background at right berthed up beside CN's ex DMIR Dock 6 taking on a load of iron ore is the Interlake Steamship Company's M/V Mesabi Miner. The self unloading bulk carrier was laid down in 1975 by American Shipbuilding of Lorraine, OH and christened in 1977 to honor the men and women of Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range. She has always been part of the Interlake fleet and at 1004 ft long she was the 4th thousand footer on the Great Lakes and one of 13 still sailing (including one which is technically and ITB).
Duluth, Minnesota
Sunday October 8, 2023