On a road dominated by SD40 type units, to catch a pair of veterans leading a loaded ore train is a real treat. SD18 1231 and rare SD28 1236 have the honors today.
One of three rare SD28s on NSM heads back to Babbitt after using locomotive air to clean switches at Norshor Junction. Sister 1235 is undergoing a complete rebuild at NRE.
With a nearby detector reporting an air temp of -19F, this cold-shortened ore train makes its way towards Silver Bay.
Loaded course trailings train with DPU SD40-3s on either end heads towards Babbitt for unloading.
The "noon" loaded ore train (actually departed at 13:30) rolls towards Silver Bay with 156 cars.
NSM 650 leads CN's MRF down the Wales Branch. At Wales it will be wyed into trailing position.
Brightening up the scene today on Northshore Mining was this leased SD40, as it lead two blue and white SD40-2s an 156 cars of crude taconite towards Silver Bay.
With the nearby detector announcing -18F and a strong wind chill out of the NW at -37F, a shortened ore train (75 cars) makes its way to Silver Bay.
Crude taconite train rolls east for Silver Bay with a leased Alaska GP40-2 in the consist.
Two leased Alaska GP40-2s help on the loaded 130-car ore train.
Four SD40 type units handle 126 loaded ore cars towards Silver Bay at 06:23.
Loaded 125-car crude taconite train rolls east to the mine at Babbitt to the processing plant at Silver Bay on Lake Superior.
Empty tailings train with DPU SD40-3s returns to Silver Bay from Babbitt.
Loaded crude taconite train from Babbitt to Silver Bay with rare SD28 leading.