Three blue SD40s lead 130 loads of crude ore east towards Silver Bay under clear skies on a mild (+31F) Sunday.

As temperatures register at -25 degrees below zero, the sun tries it's best to warm the air and clear out some clouds that had formed over Lake Superior on a typical winter morning in remote north... (more)

A a cold Minnesota morning, NSM 657 throws of some heat while leading a half train of empties back from Silver Bay to the mine at Babbit, MN. When it's this cold the railroad usually cuts the tra... (more)

My first shot of 2010 has NSM 650, the first of the rebuilt SD40-2's purchased by NSM, leading a crude ore train through the winter wonderland at Milepost 23. The temperature was a balmy -7 degree... (more)

A few fall colors are evident as Northshore Mining ore loads near the MP 23 overpass south of Toimi MN.

A crude ore Northshore Mining train at the Forest Road 409 crossing near Toimi MN.

NSM 655, 650 & 653 head south passing mile post 23. The NSM will be shutting down for approx 1 month in April due to the economic slow down. However, the NSM will keep busy by doing a lot of much ... (more)

Late afternoon sun breaks through the storm clouds as NSM 655 leads a crude taconite train from Babbitt to the processing plant at Silver Bay on Lake Superior.

Temp -24F, windchill -40F.

A shortened 76-car "first section" of the early morning 5AM train kicks up snow as it greets the rising sun. If this looks cold it was - the train is heading east for Silver Bay with an air temp o... (more)

With the detector at milepost 36 recording the air temp at -24F, this "second section" of the 05:00 train works east towards Silver Bay with 80 loads. When the temp dips below -5F NSM cuts their t... (more)

NSM 650 leads 656 and 653 east towards Silver Bay with 156 loads of ore.

The midday train returns to the mine after dumping its crude ore in Silver Bay.

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.