Once again, when we awoke in Superior, Wisc, there wasn't a cloud in the sky.
Our first act of the day - after locating breakfast - was to drive down to Saunders, where we first say a northbound BNSF train, then an eastbound CN train. Though they didn't do an over-under, I pasted the shots together in Photoshop. Hey, I'm allowed my fun.
This is the real CN train, complete with a mixed bag of locomotives that includes a beater unit from Larry's Truck and Electric in Ohio.
Next was an ore train at Boyleston, followed shortly by another BNSF train.
BNSF or not, I was distracted by this SD38 turning at Saunders.
We decided to head for the Iron Range, but on our way through Proctor we were interrupted by a Missabe train coming into the yard. We didn't see the head end as it crossed the road ahead of us; I prayed for Tunnel Motors.
Following a little driving maneuver, we dumped out on the bridge over the west end of the yard in time to find the train creeping across the scales.
Bonus: Tunnel Motors.
There's just something about the radiator that makes them look sharper than most of the other locomotives out there.
Heck, I'll take these any day over a GE Dash-8 or Dash-9.
We followed the tracks up to the Iron Range, stopping to shoot the occasional train. This is the location of the 'Ditch of the Damned,' which I had the misfortune to fall into. After thrashing around in the mud for a while, I emerged without my shoes. Were that not bad enough, my pants were destroyed; I left them by the side of the road. There's money in the back right pocket, if any of you find your way past there. You can keep it, but I want my lens cap back.
Now in socks and shorts, I continued on to Iron Junction. First a BNSF ore train roared by.
Next up we caught a move down to the Fairlane taconite plant. First here at Iron Junction ...
... then going under the highway ...
... and finally turning into the ore plant.
Waiting for the inbound train to clear was an outbound train, again with a SD-M and SD38 set.
Over in Keenan Yard, two SD-Ms were switching. I wonder if anyone has informed CN that these relics are still roaming around? Surely, in this day and age, that wouldn't be permitted.
After a lull of activity at Iron Junction, the radio crackled to life, informing us of a meet at Fairbanks. After a monotonous drive through the trees, we arrived with a few minutes to spare. The northbound empty train arrived second, and it took the siding.
An employee descended from the southbound train and threw the switch ...
... and the loaded train proceeded to the ore docks at Two Harbors.
I'm glad to see that other fans are out recording the railroad, in this case a husband and wife team. Perhaps I will be lucky to marry someone so understanding...
We caught the train again, this time further down the line.
We handily beat the train to Two Harbors and, after some discussion over which side of the loop it would take, settled for a location before the tracks diverged. This way, it wouldn't be able to fool us.
After negotiating a silly traffic runabout, we pulled into a convenience store, bailed out of the car, and dashed down to the bridge in time to catch our final shots of the train descending into Two Harbors.
Laker sighted on the way home.
For having spent the better part of the day with no shoes, no money, no pants, and no lens caps, I couldn't have been happier. I had my shots of the Missabe Road, which would far outlast the usefulness of some clothing.
Hopefully I will return in December or January. I'm hooked on the charm and personality of this operation.
The Missabe is dead. Long live the Missabe!
