Loading An Ore Ship -The Massive Mesabi Miner-

The Twin Ports is home to a bustling array of shipping, and industry by both rail and water. The massive iron ore docks see huge ships coming and going, while being loaded with taconite. This video has unique, and rare views seldom seen!
In this video, we'll see how the MASSIVE Mesabi Miner gets loaded, how the taconite gets unloaded, and an aerial view of the large Canadian National Dock 6 in Duluth. This is a neat operation, complete with the unloading of taconite cars - something rarely seen!
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Track: Lost Sky x ANGELPLAYA x Chris Linton - Unbreakable [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds.
Watch: ncs.lnk.to/Unbr...
Free Download / Stream: ncs.io/Unbreakable
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Instagram: / sd457500
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#train #ship #railway ‪@theinterlakesteamshipcompa5995‬ ‪@NoCopyrightSounds‬
Any use of this content without expressed, clear permission is prohibited. For usage, licensing, and other usage, contact me on Instagram at SD457500.
Copyright 2024 Douglas Hildebrandt, all rights reserved.

[@admiralprestoncole]

I'm finding it hard to choose what I like best in this video. The narration, the videography, or the epic guitar riff.

[@SD457500]

Glad you enjoyed it! It's always a challenge to find music that goes well with a video, but this seems to fit. Thanks for watching!

[@1adneumann]

@@SD457500 I find it all fascinating, EXCEPT forn the obnoxiously loud corporate guitar music...There must be something more sublte and appropriate...

[@c2757]

@@1adneumann It would be great if KZbin had the option to put "music" and commentary on separate tracks and you could then have the option of turning off either, or even both.

[@randywise5241]

Built in 1918 and still works like intended in 2024. Awesome engineering back then.

[@isaacdrost15]

I work on that ship, I’m a permanent AB. You get a lot more tonnage by loading into a ship vs shipping it by rail. It’s also a lot cheaper in a long run and more efficient. It takes roughly 500+ train cars to load 60,000 tons of ore.

[@2fathomsdeeper]

I enjoy seeing her winter at Sturgeon Bay!

[@bradmiller8361]

I worked on the furnaces that fire the pellets up at minntac. The rotary kilns along with every other piece of the operation is impressive!

[@SD457500]

Very cool! That vessel is HUGE; how long have have you been with the Mesabi Miner for? I hope you enjoyed the video!

[@brentrosencrans3968]

That's cool. Would be interesting to see a video on how the taconite is unloaded from the vessel.

[@RyanBenbow]

This Canadian don't know nothing

[@MachineryMastery-b1o]

This machine is not just about strength; it’s about mastery over matter!

[@localcrew]

Those cars are ultra-stubby compared to coal cars because taconite is about three times denser than coal, which is what’s usually transported

[@BawkBawkBawk666]

During Covid I was involved with the upgrade project at Neptune Bulk Terminal in North Vancouver (Allison Project). It was really neat to see how they managed rail volume in a relatively small amount of space. For those unawares, NBT is a coal and potash export terminal.

[@ScreamOG1]

I was a PCL PM at the time on both the Neptune and Fibreco teminals when they were doing some work, small world!

[@BawkBawkBawk666]

​@@ScreamOG1It's crazy how compact those terminals are and still able to get things done.

[@crazyjoe4247]

Seeing that Milwaukee Road loco still being used is cool

[@SD457500]

Close! Its actually a B&LE locomotive which CN now owns. From a distance, it does appear to be Milw power. Thanks for the comment, and watching!

[@kennethhoovler9050]

@@SD457500 It would have been very cool if the orange trio had been together for this video. We still have 1 orange and 1 DMIR arrow here on the BLE, but the primary road power is CN stripe.

[@runlikehell4180]

Also an ex-Illinois central sd40

[@ThomasPete]

Great video, nice to see the train side of the process, opening the hoppers and watching them empty, very cool.

[@andydickson5400]

Great video, I have always wondered what the unloading process looked like. Thanks for answering that for me.

[@ClassicCarRevivals]

I’ve loaded that ship many times! That contraption is a trap machine! It uses hydraulic power to open and close the rail cars

[@CoryAY82383]

Also fun fact. Some of the railcars you see have seen service since the near end of steam. Meaning some of these cars were dragged by DM&IR's massive 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone type steam engines from the mine to the sort yards. They had more tractive effort than Big Boy

[@loft306]

I've driven under that bridge going out to the ore dock many times, but I never realized it was still in operation, I thought the trains were just taking it further south. I've also listened to these trains up on the iron range all night long for up to a week at a time sleeping in a tent. From when I was born until I was about 3 I live d next to freight tracks, so it puts me to sleep.

[@jims6323]

That B&LE SD-45 on the ore dock used to run between Conneaut, Oh and Bessemer, Pa. around 10 years ago. Now CN SD-70m's are in service. Those 20 cyl. 645's sure shook the ground when they went by the house!

[@SD457500]

Close, it's a former SD45T-2, rebuilt to SD40-3 specs. During the rebuilding process, it lost its V20, and had it replaced with a V16. :/ Having grown up around the WC, I am partial to SD45s, and love how they sound. Thanks for the comment, and watching!

[@samfromportadown]

Is it weird that as soon as I saw the ship I knew this must be the great lakes? I don't know why but it seems like the ships that operate on the lakes just have their own look, different from what an ocean going freighter looks like.

[@Amigafur]

Good to see those ex-SP tunnel motors are still hanging around.

[@chipgribble6797]

Very interesting! Clearly explained with the narration too. Thank you!

[@brandorambo6644]

I literally grew up a half block away from this ore dock.

[@SD457500]

Must have been neat growing up that close, and seeing all the ships come and go. Thanks for watching!

[@brandorambo6644]

@SD457500 it was like having mini earthquakes every day. Well, until the democrats came in, they shut the mining down. I also got caught by the police playing underneath the ore docks as a kid, I remember. You can see my house in your video. I remember the train always honking its loud horn at us if we were outside playing to say hi. I know those ore docks like the back of my hand. You know what else made me think of these ore docks like 6 months ago. I was touring vietnam, and I was in Da nang, and our tour guide pointed out these unused bridges are from the American war. I thought holy shit. Their made from Iron so that material once past next my house. Let's say I didn't tell anyone on that tour that lol.

[@alonzovillarreal4666]

I used to work sitting in a tiny shack above the ship running the belts that fed coke into the cargo holds. Memorable times!

[@SD457500]

That sounds like a neat role, and I bet you've seen a lot of neat ships come and go over the years!

[@richardgraham1167]

The ore cars all empty really well, as they've had 100 years to get the process so well tuned, and it shows.

[@Extrikit]

Good video. Great to see engineering like that.

[@aprilgeneric8027]

O.o 900 is still in action, it was made just before i was born. had seen it a few times with the soo line on hwy 55 since i was little i thought it was an sd-70 for some reason it's look is the only reason i remember it because it was the first time i got to talk to the caboose crew it was leading out by my grandparents house on lake sarah while it was in the siding, had no idea it was a t3 version- SD40T-3

[@jmi-ps2ov]

Another outstanding video - great shots, great editing, love the music too. You keep getting better SD457500! We were just up in Duluth staying at Pier B and I was desperate to walk over to the rails nearby because I could see "Hustle Muscle" and a couple other interesting engines there. Was not able this time but next time we are in Duluth will have to do it legit and get tickets and visit the engines properly! (I was hoping to just sneak across the road and shoot still shots from the fence!)

[@SD457500]

I truly appreciate the kind words, and GREAT to hear you enjoyed the video! You should go check out the Hustle Muscle when you're back up that way. That classic SD45 is sharp, and a great locomotive. The museum has so much to offer, and see. Thank you for watching! :D

[@danburkland]

I always wondered what that bridge looking thing was for. Thanks for sharing!

[@dirtdevil70]

Just imagine when they built that dock, all the trains were powered by steam locomotives,,,the construction of the docks themselves would have been a huge undertaking…again all done with steam power. Diesel engines were around but very much in their infancy.

[@chrisd.9513]

That was awesome. Thank you

[@SD457500]

Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for watching!

[@jayjeyaram2585]

Great video. It would be interesting how long it takes to complete the entire cycle of loading.

[@SD457500]

Great suggestion, and something I'm working on. If all goes well, I'll have an unloading video made this summer too.

[@plumbbobslim9313]

I've always seen that structure when going through Duluth to the north shore and wondered how it worked. Now I know.

[@declanjoyce8640]

So cool...great drone footage..

[@SD457500]

Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for the comment!

[@themudsnarkchannel8237]

Also. Taconite cars are specialized. There are a limited number. Needed to run from Duluth to the Range and back. Not that far, compared to distance from Hibbing to Gary.

[@mr.iforgot3062]

The best video I've ever seen in my life! I can't decide which part is the best. I've seen this 3 times.😊😊😊😊😊

[@deeppurple3489]

That was a very interesting vid thank you!

[@SD457500]

Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for watching!

[@qzwxecrv0192837465]

intereseting. the loud music between narration was a bit irritating, not at same VU as narration. Would have been neat to see the loading in action as well for a "complete" picture as it were. great work

[@Pappy63]

I was very interested, but couldn't stick around due to the music.

[@markpeterson6836]

If you're ever in the area, the port tour boat is well worth your time and money.

[@SD457500]

I'll have to try that out! I'm hoping to be back up there this weekend to drone the ships laid up. Thanks for the comment!

[@alexlindekugel8727]

i been the that ore dock ive worked on the miner. you really don't get size scale until your standing on or next to these. on the ship deck its a heck of a hick to get one end to the other. but guy does a good job trying to convey the size.

[@hustle_am]

The question is not how they're loading the vessel, but how they're get it out of there.

[@SD457500]

That's a video I'm hoping to make this spring! Thanks for watching.

[@florichi]

Why is the music so loud. Would turn it down 3-4dB next time.

[@JM-hc2gi]

First time viewer. You capture some fantastic footage. The fall colors shot here is just gorgeous.

[@SD457500]

Thanks for the kind words, and glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for watching!

[@cmw184]

Its insane that all this infrastructure was built over a century ago

[@SD457500]

It truly is; the engineering is amazing, and more so that it is nearly 100 years old!

[@cherieblizzard9585]

I didn’t see the taconite go from the cars to the ship. How did i miss that?

[@SD457500]

It's around the minute mark; when the booms are down, the belts are feeding it with loads.

[@Falstaff1893]

Things to consider are the rapid changeover to Electric Arc steelmaking which is signalling the end of Blast furnace production so will these ships be redundant/scrapped in the future

[@paulcowan3222]

where are they going to get the electricity? I believe blast furnace will be around for a while longer.

[@Fester_]

It must be 03:40 if I am watching this - it is, it's 03:40. Best show on at this time.

[@daledrawbond1222]

Awesome video! Thanks for the very informative video showing how that is all done.

[@SD457500]

Glad it was helpful, and that you enjoyed it. It is such a neat, and interesting operation!

[@tadeuszczernia5422]

You forgot to mention number of cars in the train or amount of ore in each car. Important details. Good luck.

[@daveslow84]

He says ore ship, I hear horse shit😅😂 might be my English ears😅 Edit: excellent mini documentary! Really well done. The only negative is that i want a 45 minute version😅

[@SD457500]

Glad you enjoyed it!! I plan to make a more of these, but much longer in length!

[@paulhankey8651]

Please revise your narration to use vernacular that is a little more accurate: GREAT LAKES SAILORS and those people who worked there…either on the docks…..or on the railroad…..or people anywhere in the TWIN PORTS of DULUTH MN & SUPERIOR WI…..or in the Great Lakes area-at large-never referred to these vessels as ORE SHIPS…..they are always called ORE-BOATS….thank you for recording this history…..most people never get to see this up close because…..the work-areas are hazardous and the companies are sensitive to liability lawsuits from tourists and visitors who might be accidentally injured…..

[@TonyTruth-s9z]

When was the second dock disabled? Where does the taconite come from that is loaded in Superior?

[@SD457500]

I believe the other dock went out of service in the mid to late 1980s. Taconite in Superior comes off of the BNSF Railway, and originates on the Iron Range in MN. Thanks for watching!

[@TonyTruth-s9z]

@@SD457500 I worked in Ashland, Wi., in the early 80s after the docks closed. Crack on my boss was that it was his job to stare out the window and watch for the ships to return because he was useless at any other task. At any rate, I'd see the coal ships come to the power plant.

[@hifijohn]

If the material isn't going to another country why not ship it all by rail why go though all this bother to put it on a ship then unload it again??

[@SD457500]

Very valid question; it is cheaper to send it this way, vs on an all rail to an end location. This ship was going to Indiana, but there are all rail trains in some instances. Thanks for watching!

[@andramoiennepeMousa]

Volume

[@hifijohn]

@@SD457500Indiana, so Im guessing its going to Gary, I grew up on the shores of lake Michigan and remember seeing those large ore ships. Theres plenty of rail lines from Duluth to Gary.

[@hifijohn]

@@andramoiennepeMousa Still seems simpler to go by rail 60K tons is 600 coal cars or 4 coal trains and a train can go much faster than a ship and about storms.

[@kevinhom8812]

Scale of economy

[@ArcticBlues1]

Thank you 🙂

[@BWCA12345]

Informative video. Lose the music. Why do KZbinrs feel they need to add music?

[@SD457500]

Music helps when there is no actual audio from the drone, or things to sync it with. Hope you enjoyed it otherwise, and thanks for watching!

[@johnkingery403]

Couldn't help but notice the lack of tagging on those rail cars. Interesting.

[@SD457500]

Those cars are in captive service, and really never in any sort of area that taggers could get to them. What makes it even more impressive is that those ore cars as from the 1940s/50s, and in original paint! Thanks for watching!

[@charlesburgoyne-probyn6044]

Four wheelers which are very rare in north America and somewhat rarer in Britain and Europe nowadays too.

[@lanzji1345]

@@charlesburgoyne-probyn6044 You mean the cars? These are four axle, i.e. 8 wheels. Look at 2:12, for example. They look very short, because taconite is very heavy.

[@jonkess2768]

Four wheelers are not the standard here in Europe but you still see one on nearly every mixed train from DB Cargo between freight yards. But stil I would say without proof that 4 and 6 wheelers are more common. 6 for heavy loads like steel. There are also weird cars like 5 wheelers for car transport where essentially two cars are combined into one with a hard connection and one set of wheels in the middle and proper two sets on each end. ​@@charlesburgoyne-probyn6044

[@starepiernikowe]

Great video, thank you.

[@SD457500]

Glad you liked it, and thank you for watching!

[@princessofthecape2078]

2:56 that guitar riff reminds me so much of Battle Arena Toshinden from the PS1 in the 90s. Did you write that? Is it available anywhere?

[@SD457500]

Glad you liked it, and the music! The song is actually from NoCopyrightSounds on KZbin; they have WONDERFUL tracks. Here is the link, and more info is in my video description! kzbin.info/www/bejne/r56ri3yeqKmofpI It is such a challenge to find, and use good music for a video on KZbin. I appreciate the feedback.

[@stofelie]

You're here to provide a safe home for the group collective. Isn't that right?

[@mattberg916]

Pretty amazing video. I've seen the south end of the process, unloading at the mills in Gary,In and Cleveland, OH. Used to see the taconite trains rolling along on the EJ&E, now CN. Depending on the harshness of winter

[@gaveintothedarkness]

great production value on this video!

[@SD457500]

Much appreciated, and glad you enjoyed it! This was a lot of fun to produce.

[@stofelie]

It's all about having a safe space a safe zone in a home

[@schollzie]

Wait a minute. You did not show the ore being put into the barge. That is why I watched this video. So dissapointed.

[@SD457500]

You can see it in the over head shots, and when the booms were down. You can see it in the first moment of the video.

[@LokiOdinson-fz8ps]

It's not a barge.

[@gregdelong1539]

Really interesting, Thanks.

[@SD457500]

Glad you enjoyed it, and I appreciate the comment!

[@DavidSmith-jc4yk]

Wow! Showed everything except them actually loading the ship.

[@SD457500]

It does show it being loaded; check out the beginning fly over scenes, and with the dock booms lowered. You can see taconite entering the holds, and coming off of the booms.

[@DavidSmith-jc4yk]

Not really able to see and since the title was about the loading that should have been what they showed. There is an amazing process loading a ship to keep it in balance and not crack in half. Disappointing video. Waste of time. @@SD457500

[@bjcourtney5180]

Thanks

[@SD457500]

Hope you enjoyed it, and thanks for watching!

[@mikeswedin5388]

I think you're totally right

[@CoryAY82383]

I didn't know it was reduced to 3 tracks instead of 4

[@williamtorkelson3072]

You always have great stuff.

[@SD457500]

Thank you very much for the kind words! I am always trying to find new things to film, and trying new shooting styles.

[@legomasterkyle1017]

Is there any change you’d be able to dig up as much information about the history of streator illinois coal mines. I’ve been researching it’s mines for years now and I would love to see someone make a video about it.

[@georgepretnick4460]

I don't see covers on the rail cars. How is the taconite kept dry from rain and snow?

[@SD457500]

Good question! For taconite, covering it doesn't really need to happen. The can also store it outside for months if needed, and the end product will still be ok to use at the steel mill. Thanks for watching!

[@williamkiheri8940]

No need it just a mixture of iron ore and bentonite clay that is baked

[@minnesotarailfan11]

Very nice video. Very good at explaining it. gute Arbeit ( German for good job) :)

[@SD457500]

Many thanks, and great to hear that you enjoyed it. Nice German thrown in there too!

[@theschiznit8777]

Just wondering why loading on a ship and then unloading it is more efficient than taking the already loaded train to the final destination?

[@arthurdurbin370]

distance to destination and 1 of those ships can haul a lot more ore than that train can and its far cheaper to move it by ship then by train due to both volume and reduced amount of labor needed

[@peterthornton2396]

Would love to see 3 class 37s pulling that lot!

[@lexpo181]

Excellent video my friend! Love so much this drone footage

[@SD457500]

Thanks a lot; this was fun to make, edit, and produce! I want to do more of these, but to make what next is the question... I have a video of CPKC replacing an entire mainline switch, and that's in process.

[@lexpo181]

It will be so cool to watch ;) Waiting for the new stuff patiently :)@@SD457500

[@mrsrmp]

Wonderful!

[@williamdejeffrio9701]

Incredible! Liked and subscribed.

[@a-borgia4993]

Too much background noise. this is not loading a ship, this is dumping railcars video

[@SD457500]

The first half of the video shows, and explains how a ship is loaded. The later half shows how the raw material gets to the dock, so it can be loaded. The large booms which are down in the beginning, show how the vessel is loaded.

[@HandleCarefully925]

I thought this video was about loading the ship, it wasn’t. It was about unloading the train!

[@SD457500]

The ship loading is in the first half, then showing how the taconite gets into the docks. Thanks for watching!

[@mackdoyle8673]

I've seen Ore trains like This in Duluth when i first stayed at the hotel back in 2021 and it's called the best western when i first saw this ore train CN from the Hotel Room window and the hotel window inside thing did not work so had some pretty good shots for it

[@danlowe8684]

And I believe that is 60,000 long tons (2240#/ton).

[@SD457500]

That appears to be correct. Capacity Per Wiki: Iron ore: 59,000 long tons (60,000 t) Coal: 63,300 long tons (64,300 t) Thanks for watching, and the comment!

[@splitrock323]

How come there are no colored pins in those ore loads? 😂

[@OldGuyAdventure]

Looks like a job you could automate, wages are getting pretty high for workers.

[@rickdee67]

Great footage, but I have to agree about the music a little bit too much. I’m subscribed and love your content . Don’t listen to haters , most haven’t done anything with themselves and only criticize people who get stuff done. Are the hopper cars 28’? It’s incredibly enjoyable watching the taconite drain .

[@SandraPokorneyCmonDude]

My fave ship!!!

[@SD457500]

The Mesabi Miner is neat, classy, and a huge vessel! Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for watching.

[@lappylappy7269]

A very interesting video .Thank you . 🇬🇧

[@kevinturner5544]

How do they unload it from the ship?

[@SD457500]

That large boom on the ship is how it unloads. Once it gets to its end destination, it'll swing over, and use belts inside the ship to unload the cargo. Thanks for the comment, and watching!

[@joegrochowski669]

what are those small cars called that seem to be opening or closing the doors, how do they work

[@paulhankey8651]

Those are called “TRAPPING MACHINES” because they operate the (trap)-doors under each car….btw….the reason the ore-cars are so short is because they were designed to fit neatly over each “pocket” in the dock….to prevent spillover when they are dumping ore…..one ore-car per pocket dumped at a time…..and if memory serves….each dock pocket will hold (4) ore-cars to be completely full…..

[@MinnesotaRailProductions]

Cool video! I’ve always wanted to see this!

[@SD457500]

Glad you enjoyed it! Definitely something one doesn't always see happening.

[@ZulfiqarAli-jv6qg]

Very good!

[@SD457500]

Thanks for watching, and glad you enjoyed it!

[@PaulPaulisich]

Ely did not ever have a taconite mine. It was all underground hematite ore.

[@Bob.W.]

Thx. Enjoyed.

[@aldo5428]

From Scotland(maybe silly question)how does the taconite get delivered during winter when the lake freezes, awesome and informative video, truly captured the huge scale of this operation 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧…

[@modelrailroader5619]

The lake boats run nonstop all summer. Taconite that is not needed immediately is stockpiled at the mills for use in the winter.

[@johnvrabec9747]

These ships pass through the Zoo Locks on the Michigan/Canadian border, and the locks close from Mid January to late March for maintenance. So, basically, the ships are offline only 10 weeks a year.

[@johnvrabec9747]

Soo Locks. I hate auto complete lol

[@Skippers58]

What is that big brown chute?

[@SD457500]

Leading down to the boat? That is another way to load the ship if the belts don't work. Thanks for watching!

[@European_trainz_player]

This iron ore loader is remind of SS Edmund Fitzgerald

[@SD457500]

Likewise, and to think, the ship in this video is even BIGGER than the Fitz! Thanks for watching!

[@davebrock6618]

great video, so informative.

[@hillbilyjed1318]

did I miss the ship get loaded?

[@TacticalRuse]

This is so cool, maybe you will checkout the other end ?

[@SD457500]

Glad you enjoyed it! What do you mean by the other end? How the trains operate?

[@TacticalRuse]

Sorry for not clarifying, I meant the operations at the mine where they get taconite. That would be interesting if possible@@SD457500

[@struck2soon]

I think he might mean “how the train is loaded with taconite.”

[@SD457500]

@@struck2soon Now that'd be cool to make happen!

[@jpdunamislodge]

Nicely done film. 👍🏻

[@J3scribe]

I would like to have seen ore pellets flowing into the ship.

[@moose4164]

I hear the ore cars from gladestone got sent of from MN

[@SD457500]

Are you talking about the all rail trains which ran in the early 2000s? If so, those were mainly former CNW cars, and I think those are all long gone. Thanks for watching!

[@moose4164]

@@SD457500 I was born in the UP and my dad work for the CN and he run some ore cars

[@stavinaircaeruleum2275]

I guess the other bridge ain't in use anymore? :c

[@N312RB]

How come it's M/V Mesabi Miner? Shouldn't it be USS Mesabi Miner?

[@GEES44DC]

M/V means merchant vessel or motor vessel. Why would it be USS when the Interlake Steamship Company is the owner?

[@N312RB]

I didn’t realize that, I thought all US ships were USS something, thanks for clarifying.

[@GEES44DC]

@N312RB I see what you mean in that sense. I though you were mistakingly calling this U.S. Steel.

[@SD457500]

Thank you for the question; M/V means merchant vessel in this case.

[@LokiOdinson-fz8ps]

​@@GEES44DCMotor Vessel

[@toddmccowen8206]

you dont hear any flat spots on those cars A

[@SD457500]

You bring up a very good point, and you typically don't hear flat spots on these cars. Thanks for watching!

[@DuaneElms]

Didn't see any ore actually go on the ship.

[@labbbgbar5639]

To hifijohn, do you have an idea how many train cars it would take to equal the load that ship carries? They'd be backed up for miles waiting to unload! Time is money

[@williamkiheri8940]

They stock pile the ore in piles at the dock and then take it out of the piles and load it on the ship. The system is done with conveyors and a huge loading system.