The former DW&P Depot near the end of Chestnut Street in Virginia, MN provides the background for a couple of guys fishing on Silver Lake on a Sunday evening. The three story depot was built in 19... (more)
The giant sleeps today. With the ability to dig 16 inches down, move 2000 tons of material per hour while traveling at working speeds of 2 m.p.h. and weighing in at a large 406,000 lbs. not to m... (more)
A loaded Minorca limestone train uses the former DW&P main line to access the Minorca plant. The train is seen here passing by the former DW&P yard at Virginia, MN.
CN has dispatched this former WC spreader to clear sidings of deep snow on the Rainy Subdivision between Duluth and the Canadian Border. Here the crew cruises up the Rainy after just passing over... (more)
The fresh crew aboard Illinois Central 6252 and 6260 pull their train of taconite pellets from the ArcelorMittal USA Minorca mine through the yard at Virginia, MN and head south for Two Harbors, M... (more)
After a week of mechcanical issues, this Loram DC-1 ditch digging beast is back underway with it's well-qualified, well-trained crew on board. The Loram Ditcher is a self-propelled system that i... (more)
After sitting in the former DW&P yard in Virginia for a few days with some mechcanical issues, it appears that this Loram ditch digging monster may be ready to go again. Word has it that this mac... (more)
Just by luck I caught a CN northbound land barge behind my hotel in Virginia. 2 CN C44's and brand new NRE 700 head towards the setting sun with a massive train in tow.
A CN stack train races north through the yard on the main as a Loram rail grinding train ties down for the night.
Using the 9,000 H.P. to it's fullest, I.C. 6253 pulls 120 ore cars off the former DWP mainline and up the grade into the Minorca taconite plant to load pellets that will in turn head to Two Harbor... (more)
A small break in the clouds allowed a shot of a true M.O.W. beast--the ballast cleaner. Tied down at the former DWP Yard in Virginia it awaits it's next job
With the Laurentian Divide now behind them, it's all downhill for the crew of this CN freight train as they rumble southward.
DM&IR 403 smokes up the skies as they climb the grade into the Minorca Mine to drop off 40 loads of limestone.
A BCOL unit makes a rare stop in Virginia, MN at the former DWP Yard and is tied onto a Herzog ballast train.
A 'J' unit waits its next assignment at CN's Virginia yard.