The last triple set of Dash 8s working out of the CN ore pool move across the CN Iron Range sub on a nice fall afternoon.

The CN 0490 rolls into Crest Hill with a trio of CN C40-8 locomotives living on borrowed time. These were once assigned to the Iron Range in Minnesota.

The days are numbered for this trio of CN C40-8 locomotives from Minnesota's Iron Range as they bring in the CN O490 ballast train to Joliet Yard. This train wound up terminating here.

With the northbound empties clear of the signal at S. Biwabik and streaking past getting the roll-by, the engineer flips the lights on while he waits for the green to appear for them to proceed so... (more)

Now retired from CN's ore hauling pool, these Dash were still running, albeit on borrowed time, moving taconite pellets from the mines to CN's dock facilities in Two Harbors, MN not that long ago.

Well, this is the last set of Dash 8s working out of the CN Two Harbors ore pool. CN 2027, 2031 and CN 2032 will have the honor for a few more days anyway as they are slated to be "retired&qu... (more)

Iron ore loads bound for Two Harbors curving onto the original D&IR grade with the tail end of the train still on the DM&N grade as they near Biwabik on the present-day CN Iron Range subdivision.

Taking the siding at Biwabik to meet loads coming their way.

Heading back to the Duluth depot via Two Harbors, the Iron Range sub, the Missabe Sub, Proctor yard, Proctor Hill, and finally downtown Duluth to home due to washout on the NSSR Lakefront line.

Heading through the early morning fog on the CN Missabe sub. at Wolf, MN.

Pre sunrise departure after dumping taconite bearing rock at the plant. These two CN 2111 and 2112 were used, stored, brought back to service and have now been retired by CN in the last two years... (more)

Waiting for lights to depart the plant with northern lights all over.

CN C40-8 2004 leads ore empties North into Iron Junction. The days of these former CNW GEs up here are numbered,

Descending the grade from the Minntac taconite plant bound for Two Harbors, MN.

Coming north to reload with taconite pellets.