Western Railroad Discussion > Publicly accessible industrial artifacts in Twin Ports

Hello all,
I'll be visiting the Twin Ports during the latter half of next week (Duluth MN / Superior WI and Two Harbors).  Might anyone please have suggestions on some industrial artifacts in the area that are publically accessible for photography?  I'm interested in RR bridges or other old industry buildings and structures and machinery in general.  I'm already planning on visiting the Lake Superior RR Museum, the Maritime Visitor Center with the William Irvin ore ship and the Depot Museum in Two Harbors.

Thanks for any info.
Oliver Barrett

I would recommend taking a boat ride for the best views.

https://vistafleet.com/cruises/

The SS Meteor in Superior is quite impressive. I believe it's the only whaleback ship left in existence. 

Endion Depot in Duluth
Soo Line depot in Superior (now a brewpub and pizza place)
Fitger’s Brewery in Duluth (now a hotel, restaurant/brewpub. There may be shops, there.)
If you’re into lighthouses, I highly recommend driving up to Split Rock lighthouse which has one of the most beautiful settings of any lighthouse in the US.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/25 08:51 by RuleG.

Adding to my previous post:

Edna G tugboat at Two Harbors

The ore docks at Two Harbors are easily viewed from a park.  Not sure about opportunities for viewing Duluth's ore docks.

Superior Union Depot (served Great Northern, Northern Pacific and Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic trains).  It is now a private business.  Don't know if you can enter the building.

Additionally, many years ago, I had drinks in the lounge of the Radisson Hotel - Duluth Harborview.  The lounge had photographs of the Duluth Incline as the hotel is at or near the site of the incline's bottom station.

 

September 11, 2022 old boats along railroad tracks in Duluth, MN.  Lots to see and do in that area.

You never know what cargo may be unloaded in the Duluth Harbor.  Check out the short video.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/25 15:27 by cozephyr.

---

You must be a registered subscriber to watch videos. Join Today!

Wish I could get up there !

The Lake Superior RR Museum puts out a nice Railfan Guide for the Twin Ports. Maps, breakdown for each Railroad, etc..

Along with what Rule G said. There are 3 depots in Duluth area, and 3 in Superior. Listed in the Railfan Guide.
In Duluth
The Union Depot.
The Edion Depot- DM&IR(D&IR) Lake Ave & I-35
Lake Superior & Mississippi in The Fond du Lac neighborhood of Duluth Hwy 23.

In Superior
Soo Line Depot - Winter St & Odgen Ave
East End - NP - 24th Ave & $th St
Superior Union Depot - Lake Superior Terminal & Transfer was headquartered there. Broadway St & Oaks Ave

If your up to a hike check out the Duluth Winnipeg & Pacific's abandoned Tunnel above Duluth. Most of the grade is a trail.
The Oliver Bridge between MN & WI is double decked. CN(DMIR) on top, Hwy on the bottom. Warning very narrow.
Of course you have the North Shore Scenic Railroad, but don't forget about the Lake Superior & Mississippi excursion railroad.

Sadly is was recently announced that CHS with be closing is Grain Terminal in Superior the end of August.
Its made up of more than 500 concrete silos. They have 3 SW's they use.

The Live cam at the harbor entrance looks like a real hoot, it looks like a public access area with the ships getting very up close and personal as they go under the lift bridge. Checking the rest of the area on Google maps shows a lot of interesting areas but as mentioned harbors are often closed off as private property.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPS48TMmNag

The Anchor Bar and Grill in Superior, WI, is a salty and fun dive tavern with the walls covered with lots of photos and nautical artifacts about the lake boats that visit Duluth and Superior. Two Harbors has a lake boat's pilot house mounted on shore that you can visit. Also, remember that there are two DMIR Yellowstone 2-8-8-4s on display: one up at CN's former DMIR Proctor Yard, and another in much better condition at Two Harbors at the depot museum. A third Yellowstone in terrific condition is in the Lake Superior Rail Museum. Also, The small wooden house-like original 3M Company's founding building and museum is in Two Harbors. Have fun!

• Tom near Seattle

PS...be especially careful near the railroad tracks, as the taconite trains drop lots of spherical taconite pellets and if you step on them it's like stepping on marbles--very easy to lose your footing and take a fall. Also, I'll second the suggestion for touring the land-mounted whaleback ore boat SS Meteor...it's really neat, but go early in the day if it's warm, as the interior of the boat can get quite warm.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/25 14:50 by Sasquatch.

Thank you all for the helpful responses!
Oliver Barrett