Rails Through the North Country: LS&I, WC, E&LS, Michigan Limestone Operations (2003)

In this video, C. Vision takes you to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northeast Wisconsin to view railroad operations of the Lake Superior & Ishpeming, Wisconsin Central (Canadian National), Escanaba & Lake Superior, and Michigan Limestone Operations. We cover the LS&I across their entire system, with GE U30C and C30-7 locomotives handling heavy trains of taconite pellets between the Empire and Tilden mines and the ore docks in Marquette, Michigan. The CN’s Wisconsin Central accesses the area on their network of former SOO, CNW, and DSS&A trackage. We’ll see WC taconite trains, locals, and switch jobs with an interesting mix of power in Wisconsin Central and Canadian National paint. Next, we’ll move over to the Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad to document their mainline operations between Channing, Michigan and Crivitz, Wisconsin. At the time of production, the E&LS was leasing two classic locomotives from the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. LTV 4211 (EMD F9) and SOO 700 (GP30) put on a fantastic show for our cameras, as we follow them along the railroad’s former Milwaukee Road trackage. As a special treat, we’ll climb aboard LTV 4211 for a cab ride between Crivitz and Pembine. Before we leave the E&LS, we head over to Escanaba to see ELS 300, a rare Baldwin RS-12, as it completes switching chores around Escanaba and Wells. To close out our show, we visit Michigan Limestone Operations to view Chicago & Illinois Midland SD20s hauling shuttle trains of limestone between the Port Inland Quarry and the crusher on Lake Michigan. We were not disappointed, as railroad operations were in high gear while we toured the property.
Special thanks to Mel Wilson and Erik Shicotte
If you’d like to see more videos from the region, check out the links below:
SD40-2 Stronghold: EMD Locomotives in Minnesota's Iron Ore Country FULL VIDEO (2018)
• SD40-2 Stronghold: EMD...
Where Did MRL's SD35 Fleet Go? Great Lakes Central!
• Where Did MRL's SD35 F...
A Fateful Day on CN's Iron Range Sub
• A Fateful Day on CN's ...
Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway, The Last Days - FULL VIDEO (2004)
• Duluth, Missabe and Ir...
BNSF Hinckley Subdivision in 1998-1999. 4 Class 1 Railroads! Pre-Merger Locomotives!
• BNSF Hinckley Subdivis...

[@Bray91]

I know the Pembine through Crivitz track all too well. I grew up in Norway Michigan about 8 miles East of Iron Mountain and 20 minutes North of Pembine. I pass through Pembine whenever I head North from Appleton, WI to visit my parents. It's crazy how little things have changed. The ice cream station in Wausaukee is still open, unfortunately in Pembine, the historic depot was burned down about 5 years ago from a fire by kids playing with fireworks. Other than that, Iron Mountain all the way up to Channing is all the same as well. Awesome ride along footage from Crivitz to Pembine. That line is still in use by E&LS railroad, all the way up to Channing. I really do miss seeing and hearing those Maroon and Gold SD45's.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you for taking the time to share a little of your story. We also appreciate the updates that you’ve provided us. It’s an absolutely beautiful area. As for the WC SD45s, we miss them too. They were impressive locomotives. Thanks again.

[@gregginter5867]

Wow! That ol' F7 looked awesome! The Duluth RR Museum did a wonderful job of cleaning it up, painting it n making it road-ready after its arduous career working the Erie Mining Co!

[@gregginter5867]

Like letting a race-horse pull around a buggy, now!

[@CVisionProductions1]

The museum really did do a great job with that locomotive. It looks fantastic. But yes, after a career of hauling ore trains over the grades of Minnesota’s Arrowhead, passenger train duty on the North Shore Scenic Railroad is like a walk in the park.

[@AlikStansberry]

Excellent job Chris! Liked seeing those old Ex BNs, an Ex Soo Line GP30 and that mining RR operating!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you Alik! It was a great time to capture those lines.

[@matthewrinehart9514]

I remember having a neon visitor sticker from Ls&i on my folder in high school 😂 Will always remember UP for giant C&NW Alcos❤

[@CVisionProductions1]

Very cool! The LS&I was (and still is) a neat railroad. And those CNW C628s were absolutely awesome. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@LisbonRailProductionsandF1]

Magnificant catches of the trains coming by and pass, I like like 5 stars, keep up the great work, my friend, Greetings from Portugal to the USA.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you Vasco!!! Greetings from the frozen land of Minnesota USA!!!

[@LisbonRailProductionsandF1]

@@CVisionProductions1 No problem, my friend, one day, i will visit your town and film the trains.

[@smarquardt10]

I sure do miss wc!!!! Love all the emds they had!!! Grown up watching gdw and wc. So sad wc is gone. Love the sd45

[@CVisionProductions1]

I agree Sean. I miss everything about the WC.

[@smarquardt10]

Do u still DVD left of any wc??? If so how can I get them???

[@CVisionProductions1]

@@smarquardt10 Yes, we have 3 DVDs on the WC. They are on our web site at www.cvptrains.com. Just search for Wisconsin Central.

[@patrickwendt6758]

Great video! I actually worked on the WC in that quarry at the end of the film. The tie Gang changed ties in the quarry. Great memories! Pat W.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you Pat! That’s really neat to know you worked there. It is such a unique operation and the limestone landscape is like being on the moon. It was so cool!

[@patrickwendt6758]

@@CVisionProductions1 I would like to add that when I did work back then at that time, it was for the WC and they ran those Lime stone trains with ex Milw. SDL39's. And there were at least 4 trains, 2 each way!

[@mjrodriguez8670]

I am very thankful for your videographic efforts,.Chris! I liked the WC SD45, Erie Mining F9A and SOO Line GP30 #700, also the E&LS Baldwin S-12! I am thankful that the Erie Mining F9A and SOO Line GP30 now reside at the Lake Superior Transportation Museum. I hope to visit that museum someday!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you MJ! This video is one of my favorites. The LSRM is a great museum and their collection is getting bigger! I’m sure you will love it!

[@ModelRailroadTips]

This is awesome! I grew up there so any time I get classic views I'm happy!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you Joshua! I’m glad I could share something that is close to you.

[@gregginter5867]

Looked like your ride inside that F9 was rough n bouncy!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes, sir. Those old Milwaukee Road rails were a little rough!

[@AMPProductionsVideo]

Very nice classic video

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much!!!

[@Nicola636128]

Excellent video and catches!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you!!!

[@arkansasrailproductions5507]

One of LS&Is U23Cs is on display at the Arkansas Railroad Museum in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. LS&I 2300 is the first U23C built by GE.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Wow. I had no idea about the one in Arkansas. Thank you for sharing that information.

[@pauljung7611]

wow this is something that I have never seen before. I love this video you guys make.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much Paul! It is a unique area with great railroads. It is one place I’d recommend visiting. Thanks for your comments!!!

[@ryanfrogz]

Good stuff!! Thanks for uploading!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you! And thanks for your comments!

[@gregginter5867]

The Ishpeming RR lines are in rough shape, eh? Lots of cars bobbing n weaving!

[@CVisionProductions1]

And those little ore jennies really show it too! To be fair to them, the track was maintained for safe travel at those speeds. However, you definitely can see that those heavy ore trains are quite taxing on the track structure.

[@CSXEK]

Also on the ELS there is one gated crossing and a abundance of old WRRS mini bells

[@CVisionProductions1]

Very interesting.

[@ELSTrainTuber501]

As of 2022, The ELS doesn't go 10 mph in Amberg, WI! There's no secondary line in Beecher, WI, and the Depot in Pembine, WI is gone by two teens putting it on fire!

[@CVisionProductions1]

It seems as if so much has changed. I did hear about the Pembine depot. That was a sad day. I hope they caught them. Thank you for your comments and watching!

[@ELSTrainTuber501]

@@CVisionProductions1 Yeah!

[@gregginter5867]

How does an engineer guard against being hypnotized by the track visual?

[@CVisionProductions1]

Not as big of a problem during the day, but at night you just need to stay focused the best you can. Sometimes it isn’t easy, especially when you’re tired.

[@Duececoupe]

Damn I miss 1st and 2nd generation diesel locomotives....those contraptions that we see today are pure and utter 💩! Most excellent video! 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much!!! And yes, first and second generation locomotives are easy to love. Newer power just doesn’t have the same appeal. However, we are impressed by the pulling abilities of newer AC locomotives.

[@chrishaupt9739]

I love this train video send me southern pacific train video c vision productions

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you Chris!!! Hopefully soon.

[@gregginter5867]

Ugh! Why don't those small towns maintain the upkeep on their historical RR bldgs!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Some do, but others just don’t have the resources, unfortunately. And of course, these depots are usually still on railroad property. So unless the depots are donated to the city (or purchased), they are at the mercy of the railroad.

[@mc051961]

Why haven’t you made a tcwr video

[@CVisionProductions1]

We will. It’s coming. Stay tuned!

[@haydenthorn8163]

Does els still go through Beecher wisconsin

[@CVisionProductions1]

They sure do. Beecher is on their “mainline”. Thank you for asking.

[@ajknaup3530]

Does anyone know what the three BNSF covered hoppers (I think) carry at the front of the train (4:57) Thanks

[@CVisionProductions1]

That would be bentonite clay used in the iron ore pelletizing process. Thank you for watching the video, and please let us know if you have any further questions.