Cliffs Erie Railroad workers remove what is left of the chips and fines that were left in the dock after operations at the mine ceased.

Just after the fog lifts over Lake Superior, five F units tie onto sixteen loaded side dump cars spotted on the dock. The side dumps will be taken up to Tunnel Siding, then later in the day forwar... (more)

Cliffs Erie 4210 rolls through Sarto heading for Hoyt Lakes with a loaded train of chips and fines. With only one more run left, this will probably be my final in-service photo of these classic ... (more)

Cliffs Erie F-units, running as an A-B-B-B-A set, negociate the loop track at Taconite Harbor with sixteen loaded side dumps headed for Tunnel Siding. Note that part of the 4210's pilot has been ... (more)

Cliffs Erie F9 4210 leads four other F's upgrade through the S-curves near Cramer Tunnel, with a long cut of loaded side dumps bound for Trow. The units really put on a good show at this location... (more)

An A-B-B-B-A set of classic F9s spot side dump cars for loading of reclaimed taconite fines/chips at the ore dock on the shore of Lake Superior. This ore will be taken back to Hoyt Lakes for load... (more)

An A-B-B-B-A set of classic F9s ease down the steep ramp into the loading area at the ore dock on the shore of Lake Superior.

The "Fab Five" lead 48 empty side dumps into the 1800-ft Cramer Tunnel on the north shore of Lake Superior en route to Taconite Harbor.

Five F9s pass the waterfall at MP 73 as 12 loads depart Taconite Harbor westbound.

The train of empties rounds the bend, and is seen here about to enter the Cramer tunnel - Minnesota's longest. The sun was cooperative throughout the day, making for a most enjoyable chase.

Our first shot of the day was taken from the overpass at Salem, in the middle of the woods. You could hear the train coming for at least ten minutes before it showed itself. Luckily the shadows cl... (more)

Cliffs Erie F9A 4210 leads three F9Bs and 12 loaded cars upgrade towards Tunnel Siding.

Cliffs Erie F9A 4210 rolls down the hill into Taconite Harbor with cars from Hoyt Lakes. They'll be loaded with chips and fines, then taken up the hill to Tunnel Siding twelve cars at a time to m... (more)

Cliffs Erie F9A 4210 backs down to pick up 12 more empty cars for loading with chips and fines. The massive dock - now unused - stands in the background.

Cliffs Erie F9A 4210 shoves 12 loads of chips and fines onto the previous cars brought up to Tunnel Siding.