Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway

Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway
source
Name	Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway
Locale	Minnesota, United States
Start year	1874
End year	2004
Successor line	Canadian National Railway
Track gauge	Standard gauge
Length	206 miles (332 km)
Headquarters	Duluth, Minnesota

Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway was a railway company that operated in the Iron Range region of Minnesota, United States, from 1874 to 2004. The railway was formed by the merger of the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad and the Missabe Railroad, with the goal of transporting iron ore from the Mesabi Iron Range to the Great Lakes ports of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. The railway played a crucial role in the development of the iron and steel industry in the United States, with major customers including U.S. Steel, Bethlehem Steel, and Republic Steel. The railway's operations were also closely tied to the Great Lakes shipping industry, with lakers such as the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and SS Carl D. Bradley transporting iron ore from the Duluth-Superior harbor to other ports on the Great Lakes.

● History

The history of the railway dates back to 1874, when the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad was formed to transport iron ore from the Mesabi Iron Range to the Great Lakes ports of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. The railway was later merged with the Missabe Railroad in 1937 to form the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway. During World War II, the railway played a critical role in the war effort, transporting iron ore to the shipbuilding industry and other war-related industries. The railway also worked closely with other railway companies, including the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and Chicago and North Western Transportation Company, to transport goods and materials across the United States. The railway's history is also closely tied to the labor movement, with the United Transportation Union and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers representing the railway's employees.

● Operations

The railway's operations were focused on transporting iron ore from the Mesabi Iron Range to the Great Lakes ports of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. The railway also transported other goods, including coal, lumber, and grain, and provided passenger service to communities along its route. The railway worked closely with other transportation companies, including the Great Lakes Fleet and CSX Transportation, to provide seamless transportation services to its customers. The railway's operations were also closely tied to the mining industry, with major customers including Inland Steel, National Steel, and LTV Steel. The railway's dispatching and train control systems were also integrated with those of other railway companies, including the Burlington Northern Railroad and Socony Mobil Oil.

● Locomotives_and_Rolling_Stock

The railway operated a diverse fleet of locomotives and rolling stock, including steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, and electric locomotives. The railway's locomotive fleet included EMD SD9 and EMD SD18 diesel locomotives, as well as GE U25B and GE U30B diesel locomotives. The railway's rolling stock included hopper cars, boxcars, and tank cars, which were used to transport a variety of goods, including iron ore, coal, and petroleum products. The railway also operated a fleet of passenger cars, including budd cars and Pullman cars, which were used to provide passenger service to communities along its route. The railway's locomotives and rolling stock were maintained at its shops and yards in Duluth, Minnesota and Proctor, Minnesota, which were equipped with cranes, welding equipment, and other machinery.

● Infrastructure

The railway's infrastructure included over 206 miles (332 km) of track, as well as yards, shops, and terminals in Duluth, Minnesota and Proctor, Minnesota. The railway's track was standard gauge and was equipped with signaling systems and communication systems to ensure safe and efficient operation. The railway's infrastructure also included bridges and tunnels, which were used to cross rivers and valleys along its route. The railway's yards and terminals were equipped with cranes, conveyors, and other machinery to handle the loading and unloading of goods. The railway's infrastructure was also integrated with that of other transportation companies, including the St. Lawrence Seaway and Port of Duluth-Superior.

● Legacy_and_Preservation

The railway's legacy continues to be felt in the Iron Range region of Minnesota, where it played a crucial role in the development of the iron and steel industry. The railway's locomotives and rolling stock are preserved at museums and historical societies in Duluth, Minnesota and Proctor, Minnesota, including the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and Duluth Depot. The railway's infrastructure continues to be used by other transportation companies, including the Canadian National Railway and BNSF Railway. The railway's history and legacy are also commemorated by the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway Historical Society, which works to preserve the railway's history and educate the public about its significance. The railway's legacy is also recognized by the National Park Service, which has designated the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway as a National Historic Landmark. Category:Railway companies of the United States