Cliffs Erie Railroad: The Historic Final Days - Featuring A-B-B-B-A F9 Diesels

In this video, C. Vision Productions returns to the former LTV Mining Railroad to view the final days of train operations on the Cliffs Erie Railroad in 2008. Cliffs Erie’s popular F9 diesels were called upon one last time to move taconite fines from the dock at Taconite Harbor to Hoyt Lakes, for eventual shipment to the Severstal Steel plant near Baltimore, Maryland. Only a handful of these trains were operated, and C. Vision was granted special access to ride in the cab between Taconite Harbor and the Cramer Tunnel. Not only will you get a chance to view the scenic beauty of northeastern Minnesota from the cab, but you’ll also see trackside footage captured between Taconite Harbor and Hoyt Lakes, including scenes of the very last train that ran on October 28, 2008.
The sound of this A-B-B-B-A set of F9s grinding up the grade out of Taconite Harbor won’t soon be forgotten.
More to enjoy from C. Vision Productions:
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[@joelpoland40]

Absolutely killing it once again with content! It's quite impressive that the dock is still standing. I'm sure there's too many hoops to jump through, but it would be cool to see it preserved as an observation deck/museum.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Joel! And, you might be on to something with that idea. If the railroad is ever removed, it could be possible. But as you said, it’s still very unlikely that the stars could align for such a project. As always, we appreciate your comments.

[@johnuhelski8613]

Fine vid , a sad ending to a great operation . Was up here several times in the late 80's and got all trains pulled by A-B-B-A sets of F's in perfect weather . My friend Steve Glischinski got me on track for very productive chase days. Thought this thing would never end....

[@CVisionProductions1]

Those sound like great memories, John. And yes, Steve is the master of chasing in iron ore country! He’s not afraid of that pedal on the right. Thank you kindly for watching and commenting.

[@johnuhelski8613]

@@CVisionProductions1 That's a fact , once we were chasing the F Units on the CSX Roadrailer in Kentucky and we went AIRBORNE !! Great memories.

[@RTWest-kn5fr]

I was 6 years old in 1956. I remember that year, although I was living in Hamburg, New York, near Lake Erie. So Lake, Erie, Erie Lackawanna trains... this video I had to watch. I probably should also mention that I had a friend back then with the first name Cliff. Thanks for the video and bringing those names together. RT sends, envía, Colonia Centro Historico, Puebla, México.

[@CVisionProductions1]

We’re glad that we could bring all those names together for you! We enjoyed your write-up. Thank you for watching the video.

[@davidstewart5694]

Great stuff as always. 4211 had quite the flat spot too lol

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much, David! And yes, that 4211 was a thumper! We appreciate the comment.

[@metalheadrailfan]

What a coincidence, I was just on a tour boat ride of the Soo Locks today and this shows in my feed.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Perfect timing! You picked a great time to go on vacation. It’s been a beautiful summer so far. Thank you for watching, and enjoy your trip!

[@metalheadrailfan]

@CVisionProductions1 The weather up here around Mackinac Island has been perfect.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Same here! Hopefully the rest of the summer continues like this.

[@mjrodriguez8670]

I enjoy watching F-units, Chris! And I hope that the C Vision video on the ex-Rock Island Spine Line from Mason City to St. Paul gets released on KZbin, also the Nebraska Central line!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, MJ!!! And yes, it’s all coming. We’ve got quite a few projects planned for the remainder of the year. As always, we appreciate your comments. Stay tuned!

[@vettebecker1]

Sad to learn of the closure, I’m sure these locomotives have long since fell to the scrappers torch! 😢

[@johnuhelski8613]

Not so , sadly the "B" units went to scrap but most all of the "A" units are now preserved. Several in operating condition.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thankfully, not all was lost. F9A units 4210 and 4211, along with F9B 4222 avoided the scrappers torch. But as the other commenter mentioned, the rest of the F9B units didn’t make it. Thanks for watching.

[@gregginter5867]

One is owned by Missabe & Iron RR museum of Duluth, MN n is currently leased to an upper peninsula RR n it operates daily pulling freight! It looks great!😊

[@kelvintorrence5994]

great video once agaib , ididnt know they still had ab train set left up there

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much, Kelvin! And yes, there is an A-B F9 set preserved. Not all was lost when the railroad shut down. We appreciate you watching the video.

[@whitemountainproductions]

Cool I have this on dvd

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you for watching, and also for supporting C. Vision! We hope that you enjoyed the video.

[@ElectricIndeedFilms]

Do you have and footage on the Brainerd Sub? If so, do you plan on uploading it soon?

[@CVisionProductions1]

We do have a little footage on the Brainerd Sub, but not enough for a full video. It’s possible that we could release it at some point in the future. Thank you for asking!

[@how_to_hallagon1]

I don't know much about iron ore or coal. But I do know it snows in Minnesota. Does this here stuff freeze tight together? if so how do you get it loose to be able to work with it if it freezes in the winter.

[@CVisionProductions1]

It certainly can, but most of the runs from the taconite processing plants to the docks are short enough where it doesn’t become a major problem. They have tools to get the pellets out, if needed. Warming sheds would be a last resort. There may be someone watching who can provide more information on the processes for thawing out a frozen car. Thank you for asking. We appreciate you watching the video.