Northshore Mining Morning
I visited this spot in May of 2023 for the first time but the clouds didn't cooperate then and I didn't make it back in October of that year. So when I returned to Duluth in September 2024 I figured I'd give it another try. My GF and I had a nice day of hiking and swimming and generally exploring the north shore planned but I made her get an extra early start to drive straight here first...and I'm glad I did because my wait upon arrival was only about 10 minutes before train time!
The first loaded 156 car train of the day is at about MP 5 on Cleveland-Cliffs Northshore Mining Railroad in this view looking from the famous 'railfan rock' along airport road outside of Silver Bay. NSMX 671 and 675 are ex CSXT SD70ACEs built in 2004 and acquired by the Northshore in 2020. The non common carrier 47 mile private line haul Northshore Mining Railroad has been operating since 1955 when built by the Reserve Mining Company to haul raw magnetite ore to their plant in Silver Bay which when opened was the first taconite pellet production facility in the nation.
To learn more check out this link:
www.clevelandcliffs.com/operations/steelmaking/iron-ore-f...
Near Silver Bay
Lake County, Minnesota
Monday September 16, 2024
Northshore Mining Morning
I visited this spot in May of 2023 for the first time but the clouds didn't cooperate then and I didn't make it back in October of that year. So when I returned to Duluth in September 2024 I figured I'd give it another try. My GF and I had a nice day of hiking and swimming and generally exploring the north shore planned but I made her get an extra early start to drive straight here first...and I'm glad I did because my wait upon arrival was only about 10 minutes before train time!
The first loaded 156 car train of the day is at about MP 5 on Cleveland-Cliffs Northshore Mining Railroad in this view looking from the famous 'railfan rock' along airport road outside of Silver Bay. NSMX 671 and 675 are ex CSXT SD70ACEs built in 2004 and acquired by the Northshore in 2020. The non common carrier 47 mile private line haul Northshore Mining Railroad has been operating since 1955 when built by the Reserve Mining Company to haul raw magnetite ore to their plant in Silver Bay which when opened was the first taconite pellet production facility in the nation.
To learn more check out this link:
www.clevelandcliffs.com/operations/steelmaking/iron-ore-f...
Near Silver Bay
Lake County, Minnesota
Monday September 16, 2024