A fresh load of steaming taconite pellets makes its way towards Duluth MN.

As twilight blankets the town of Elgin, CNs Iowa Division manifest hi-tails over the Fox River with a pair of matched Illinois Central SD70s. Just like old times!

As the clouds begin to part ways, CNs U717 rounds the iconic curve under the Rainy sub with a matched trio of Illinois Central paint SD40s.

With the winter season in full swing, train frequency took a strong hit entering November. But, Fairlane loads still had some work to do, as todays U717 is seen here gliding down Proctor Hill with... (more)

A trio of Illinois Central SD70s lead a healthy A408 south through the small community of Ludlow, IL on CN's Chicago Sub, the former Illinois Central 'Mainline of Mid-America'. IC SD70s are the co... (more)

A pair of IC SD70's pass the IC passenger station at Mattoon. This 1918-built station still proudly wears IC letterings on the platform and main entrance.

Empties work up the stiff grade of Proctor Hill behind a trio of SD40 variants.

Three SD40's trot under the former DWP at Munger with pellets on the drawbars.

Three EMD veterans lead a loaded ore train over the Cloquet River.

Flocked trees line the frozen Whiteface River as a southbound ore train makes its way down the Missabe Sub.

A literal steam train. A trio of SD40's lead 138 freshly baked taconite pellets from Cleveland-Cliffs Fairlane facility on a frigid December morning.

A408 rolls south through the hills of southern Illinois with a pair of IC SD70's. Countless grain elevators line the former IC, as shown in the small town of Farina.

A408's pair of IC's meet another pair of IC's on A407 in Tuscola. Sometimes it seems like the IC never left.

A pair of IC deathstars lead A408 past the IC-built Mattoon station. Now served by Amtrak, this station was built in 1918.

The 2011 Santa Train departs Battle Creek to head for Chicago after spending the night on RIP track #1 for Battle Creek display. Not the best weather conditions for Santa but we take what we get. ... (more)