Many tons of raw taconite rock roll along the NSM mainline almost effortlessly as they traverse the curves and grades between the mine at Babbitt and the plant at Silver Bay.
Located on the shores of Lake Superior, Northshore Mining operates a taconite processing facility. After delivering a string of taconite rock loads for the crusher, NSM 655, 656 and 657 prepare ... (more)
Screaming downhill with some classic 9000 EMD horsepower, this train delivers 17,000 tons of taconite rock from the mine at Babbitt to the processing plant at Silver Bay.
A short transfer to be interchanged with CN heads uphill as the loads of taconite rock come downhill on the NSM mainline outside Silver Bay.
Consecutively numbered ex-Rock Island units leased to North Shore Mining scream downhill throwing exhaust and heat into the air while holding back taconite rock loads from the Babbitt mine which ... (more)
Rods Down Diesel Style. Alot of the steam guys wont post a picture of a steam engine unless it has its rods down, which apparently show power. This has to be the diesel equivalent, as hot air and ... (more)
Tailings train thunders through the detector and signals at MP 2.2 as they drop down quite a large hill minutes from Silver Bay.
Tailings thunder by ancient Reserve Mining searchlights, with both engines able to be seen.
A morning tailing's train works up hill with a pair of SD40-3's sandwiching the side dump cars at MP 6.
After dumping the tailings off in the pit that is located behind the hill in the background, the 650 rolls past the 3.6 signal as it heads back to Silver Bay for another load of tailings.
A loaded tailings train from Silver Bay heads for the dump that is just around the corner and through the woods.
With dynamic brakes howling the 5am loads rolls down grade with 156 loads in tow for the Silver Bay processing plant.
Three sets of dynamics are howling as the 0500 loads twist down the hill into Silver Bay.
A pleasant early evening trip to the tailings basin for NSM 653 and NSM 654.
The loads of taconite rock from Babbitt come around the mountain when they come. They were running about a half hour late today but the weather made it easy to sit and wait.
