Hunger For Munger
Now we're getting somewhere. A trip to the iron range would be incomplete without the classic shot at Munger, where the former DWP - now CN Rainy sub - crosses over the Missabe. The sweeping curve points the nose of any engine into perfect light in the morning, and the superelevation is just enough to give that hint of speed through the curve. Wonderful little location to stop and shoot, and one we were very eager to shoot.

As luck would have it, our first morning on the range started with a pair of southbound trains destined for Proctor. It was hardly a few minutes wait and a little slipping across the still ice-coated snow to get into position for our first taconite train.

Led by CN5318, CN6021, and IC6264, these fresh taconite loads originated from Minntac if my memory serves me right, making this trains symbol the U713 if I'm not mistaken. Paired with the train over the DWP and the northbound stack train we'd caught here shortly before the arrival of the iron loads, it was already shaping up to be a busy day. These wouldn't be the last EMDs we'd see that day, nor would this be our last time seeing this particular power set. If we knew what we'd see on the next ore train... Well, the fun was only just getting started!
trains railroad railroadphotography railways rail bridge cn5318 sd402w emd munger minnesota snow winter missabe ironrange taconite dmir