Soo Line Power Mix at their Superior, Wisconsin Roundhouse 1977
Soo Line 2227-B is an EMD F7A shown here at the Soo Line’s Superior roundhouse along with a couple of GeePs and SD40s. Seems like there was always a GP30 or two tucked inside their roundhouse too. And the Soo men really took care of that equipment and the roundhouse. It was always clean and tidy on the inside. I took this shot on June 27, 1977, a bright overcast, very typical summer day in Superior.
Here's an air view that I shot of this same facility in 1989: www.flickr.com/photos/jeff_lemke/25712447625/in/album-721...
One of the things that always impressed me about the Duluth-Superior rail scene was the overwhelming friendliness of the people who worked inside of these facilities. Especially during the 1970s. A person could stroll into any one of the area roundhouses here, visit the foreman's office, ask permission to take a few photographs, and come up with oodles of neat scenes to photograph. Like this one for example.
The railroad was still an interesting place back then and the corporate mentality of compliance hadn't taken control of things. Not yet anyway. Release forms and waivers to sign (for people visiting these properties) had just been invented but were still a fairly rare requirement even in 1977. I sure do miss the friendly side of railroading that in my humble opinion began to disappear by 1978-79. By 1980 if you didn't have the release form with you there would be heck to pay with the railroad police. By 1985 you'd be lucky to get a release even if you asked for one. And by 1990, if you didn't know the Terminal Superintendent personally, you'd be taking photographs from public property only. That's the way I remember it anyway.
Soo Line Power Mix at their Superior, Wisconsin Roundhouse 1977
Soo Line 2227-B is an EMD F7A shown here at the Soo Line’s Superior roundhouse along with a couple of GeePs and SD40s. Seems like there was always a GP30 or two tucked inside their roundhouse too. And the Soo men really took care of that equipment and the roundhouse. It was always clean and tidy on the inside. I took this shot on June 27, 1977, a bright overcast, very typical summer day in Superior.
Here's an air view that I shot of this same facility in 1989: www.flickr.com/photos/jeff_lemke/25712447625/in/album-721...
One of the things that always impressed me about the Duluth-Superior rail scene was the overwhelming friendliness of the people who worked inside of these facilities. Especially during the 1970s. A person could stroll into any one of the area roundhouses here, visit the foreman's office, ask permission to take a few photographs, and come up with oodles of neat scenes to photograph. Like this one for example.
The railroad was still an interesting place back then and the corporate mentality of compliance hadn't taken control of things. Not yet anyway. Release forms and waivers to sign (for people visiting these properties) had just been invented but were still a fairly rare requirement even in 1977. I sure do miss the friendly side of railroading that in my humble opinion began to disappear by 1978-79. By 1980 if you didn't have the release form with you there would be heck to pay with the railroad police. By 1985 you'd be lucky to get a release even if you asked for one. And by 1990, if you didn't know the Terminal Superintendent personally, you'd be taking photographs from public property only. That's the way I remember it anyway.