This CAT loader is almost done with the task of loading taconite fines.

Would have been nice with the Maple Trees, but who can complain when they are shooting F9 A-B-B-B-A lash ups in 2008.

While almost all the Maple Color is gone... some great yellows and orange lasted for the final runs.

The perfect sucker... hole.

Today's history lesson... I'm sure the kids on board the bus didn't bother to give the F9's a second look. What is likely the second to the last run of these beasts, it is never known for sure as... (more)

The Railfan Gods looked down upon the photographers at West Portal and gave a nice sucker hole for one of the last runs on '08.

Five F9's in 2008, ore dock, crashing waves, blue sky... can it get any better?

She looks and sound great!

About the best fall color I could find near Duluth.

A perfect ending to railfanning Cass Lake... this was the only train to move through Cass Lake on Saturday.

Coal loads blast through the highway 101 crossing at 47MPH as they begin to slow for a crew change in Cass Lake. I'm shooting at 300mm about 3/4 mile away.

After a grain extra rolled through Cass Lake, this Clay Boswell coal empty was able to take right off out of town. Right behind this train was the Cass Lake local. The sweet evening light and th... (more)

A mixed freight rolls between Metra trains near Wheaton.

Stack train rolling through Lombard.

The blue flags are up in front of dozens of train sets waiting for Monday's amazing choreography of this well oiled machined known as Metra. All the tracks funnel in at Aurora.