Cant hurt to ask!
Living in the shadow of the Duluth ore docks, the Hallett Dock Co. had been a fixture in Duluth since 1963. They moved a number of bulk commodities, but among railfans were known for loading DM&IR ore cars with limestone for the mines as well as their rare Fairbanks Morse H10-44. One day as an innocent 18 year old fresh out of high school, I found myself with Josh Dulak and we in turn found ourselves shooting the Proctor Road Switch shoving into Lakehead. We looked over at Hallett and saw a switch engine moving some brand new BNSF pellet cars. Being young and full of confidence, we walked in and asked if there was any way we could go take some pictures. The receptionist was very nice and said to hold on, she was going to go get someone. Out of a back office came someone named Jerry. He looked us over and said "Well boys, I can't just let you wander around out there..." we braced for the other shoe to drop "But if you want you can jump in my truck and I'll give you a tour and you can take whatever pictures you want!" We were in! Way back towards the waterfront an old SW with friction trucks was spotting up brand new BNSF ore cars to be dumped, filled with what looked like sinter. After we were done, he dropped us off at the office and said he had to run, and thanked us for taking an interest in the Hallett Dock Co. As we turned in our hard hats, I asked the receptionist what Jerry's job was. It turns out the man was none other than Jerry Fryberger, an iconic Duluth name and the current Chairman of the Board, serving in that role following his retirement as President! I'm sure he doesn't remember us, but I'll always remember that day.
Cant hurt to ask!
Living in the shadow of the Duluth ore docks, the Hallett Dock Co. had been a fixture in Duluth since 1963. They moved a number of bulk commodities, but among railfans were known for loading DM&IR ore cars with limestone for the mines as well as their rare Fairbanks Morse H10-44. One day as an innocent 18 year old fresh out of high school, I found myself with Josh Dulak and we in turn found ourselves shooting the Proctor Road Switch shoving into Lakehead. We looked over at Hallett and saw a switch engine moving some brand new BNSF pellet cars. Being young and full of confidence, we walked in and asked if there was any way we could go take some pictures. The receptionist was very nice and said to hold on, she was going to go get someone. Out of a back office came someone named Jerry. He looked us over and said "Well boys, I can't just let you wander around out there..." we braced for the other shoe to drop "But if you want you can jump in my truck and I'll give you a tour and you can take whatever pictures you want!" We were in! Way back towards the waterfront an old SW with friction trucks was spotting up brand new BNSF ore cars to be dumped, filled with what looked like sinter. After we were done, he dropped us off at the office and said he had to run, and thanked us for taking an interest in the Hallett Dock Co. As we turned in our hard hats, I asked the receptionist what Jerry's job was. It turns out the man was none other than Jerry Fryberger, an iconic Duluth name and the current Chairman of the Board, serving in that role following his retirement as President! I'm sure he doesn't remember us, but I'll always remember that day.