A Day on the Minnesota Iron Range

I took Labor Day weekend to visit a friend of mine in Minnesota and was able to make it up for a day to the Iron Range on CN's Missabe Sub to see some ore trains. We left around 6am from the Twin Cities to get to Forbes where the train originates. The chase is roughly 50 rail miles from Forbes to Proctor Yard where the trip terminates. The weather was decent, with a nice fall feel in the air, and unfortunately some clouds making it hard to get sun in every spot, but I can't complain too much. I did switch between taking video and pictures so this doesn't capture every location that we went to.
The train left the Taconite mine at Forbes with 3 SD40-3's and roughly 130 jennies for the days trip south. We paralleled them for a few miles on HWY 7 and ducked into a few spots off the beaten path. We eventually made it to Proctor where we watched the train yard then went over to Duluth to check out the docks where they load the ships with the iron ore. When we got into town, there was an empty train on the dock ready to bring empties to Proctor so we went to a small side street to get them climbing the grade out of town (seen at 5:00). The action slowed down for a couple hours after seeing that but around 6pm, there was an empty ore train ready to go back north with the same power that we chased the loaded one down with. The sun cooperated with us for the trip north, I opted to photographed at Adolph and Munger just outside of the yard instead of video due to the incredible light that golden hour provided us with. As the sun set, we ended at Kelsey where the train rolled off into the distance back toward Forbes.

[@TrinityCourtStudios]

It’s been awhile. I’m glad you uploaded again. Now it’s my turn 😂

[@smalltowntraveller]

Giant goods train.. Lovey shots

[@drc930]

It's kind of cool how CN uses the reporting marks of some of the fallen flags they have taken over.

[@rockinghamrailvids]

Welcome back to YT!

[@BostonBeaconPark]

The legend returns

[@slr_393p]

welcome back !

[@noman721]

Welcome back and awesome video!

[@downeasterstudios]

BACK AFTER 3 YEARS

[@Maine_Railfan]

Glad to see you are back!

[@Fullsenddiesel]

Welcome back!

[@LeitoTrenes]

Super.
Subscrito

[@BostonElevatorDude]

No way you’re back! Welcome back !

[@drc930]

Awesome stuff! Unique locomotives and cars, nice horn, good scenery. Looks like a fun trip!

[@dcarpine28]

Thanks Dan it was a blast!

[@MaineCentral321]

Great video, welcome back to RUclips!

[@ChadsRailfanExperience]

Thanks for sharing, looking at going up that way soon

[@dcarpine28]

No problem, it’s well worth it . I just got back from a second trip.

[@dcarpine28]

Thanks everyone!

[@tuxedorailfan4630]

What kind of camera are you using? This is crystal clear!

[@dcarpine28]

I use A Sony FDR AX53

[@DaSchwab21]

Not in 4K? Dislike

[@dcarpine28]

Sorry

[@andyoberdick]

Great video. Liked the shots with the tunnel motors.
Could you help me out or put me in touch with someone who knows about modern DMIR operations? Im heading up in May and I wanted to catch the BLE tunnel motors. Could you give me some info on what trains they get assigned to and where/when they go on duty? I assume proctor yard on the ore drags but given its a 14 hour drive I dont want to make any assumptions. Also is there a good facebook group or something for tracking movements?

[@dcarpine28]

Thank you, the biggest asset to you going out there will be ATCS, it’s a software that allows you to view the dispatchers board. It’s all legal. You have to get approved by the io group called ATCS Monitor. There’s also a good facebook group called ‘Railroads of the Lake Superior Region’. As for the tunnel motors, they are pretty common to see on the Missabe, I couldn’t tell you what trains they decide to put them on. I am not familiar with on duty times either.