The Diesel Shop at Year-- 30

Thirty Years Ago: A 105-car taconite ore train, consigned to U.S. Steel, leaves Marquette and rolls eastward along the Lake Superior shoreline in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Led by a combined 10,800 Wisconsin Central horsepower, the heavily loaded train is bound for Chicago and interchange with Southern Pacific which will deliver the unit-train to the U.S. Steel plant at Geneva, Utah. It's an unusual routing that will see the solid-ore train turn at Trout Lake and then head for Illinois. (Chuck Schwesinger photo on 12 October 1995) Trip Report: "A Vote For Spontaneity": Anticipating three days of railfan photography in Omaha, our group departed Michigan during the last weekend in April 1971. A stationary low-pressure system with torrential-type rain in eastern Nebraska led to an abrupt change in plans and an unscripted visit to Ivy City (Washington DC) - once a bastion of EMD-built passenger E-units. With a clear sky and a large dose of enthusiasm, we headed east for some unexpected results. Trip details here. Carbon Limestone Steamers Update Last month this space focused on a profile of the Carbon Limestone and its eclectic diesel roster. During the data collection process an intriguing fact arose -- nine ex-CLC narrow gauge locomotives after retirement went to work for several entertainment venues: Amusement Parks, tourist pikes or museum railroads in various parts of the continental U.S. and Hawaii. Entertainment bound.

In the Queue: November- West Michigan's Interurbans (by R. Craig) December - WGRF Omaha in 1973