Nostalgia & History > 26 years ago today- A trip along the Great Lakes-Part 9

We spent the entire day on 10/5/92 in the Superior,WI. area.  Shots-1 and 2   MV Walter J. McCarthy Jr. of American Steamship Co. departing Midwest Energy Resources Company (MERC) with another load of Powder River coal destined for a lower lakes power plant. The McCarthy is what is known as a Max-Laker with dimensions of 1000' in length and a beam of 105'. These are the maximum dimensions for a boat to fit into the Poe Lock at Sault Ste. Marie,MI.  Shot-3  CNW 4195,4178 (ex-CRIP GP7Rs) at the yard in Itasca,WI.

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Shot-4  CNW 7025,6808 (SD50,SD40-2) on DM&IR's Interstate Branch at Ambridge,WI.  Shot-5  DW&P Local with GTW 5726,5727 (GP38-2s) at Ambridge.  Shot-6  DW&P Caboose 53101 on the Local at Ambridge.

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Saunders,WI. just south of Superior is where the ex GN/BN Main crosses over the DM&IR Interstate Branch on a 90 degree angle. There are connecting tracks built into 3 of the 4 crossing's quadrants, making just about any move possible. CNW has trackage rights on the Interstate Branch to reach Itasca Yard. DW&P uses the Interstate Branch to access their yard at Pokegama,WI. WC began using the branch in 1987 to interchange with the DW&P and BN. There were other trackage right agreements that I can't recall, but it seemed as if anybody could go anywhere at Saunders. During our visit we saw BN, Soo, CNW, DW&P and WC trains move through Saunders. Shot-7  BN Transfer 1402,2100 (GP10,GP38-2) at Saunders.  Shot-8  DW&P 5906,CN 5024,CN 5217 (SD40s) heading back to Pokegama Yard on the Interstate Branch at Saunders.  Shot-9  Those GTW 5700s from the DW&P Local are switching at South Itasca,WI. A CNW freight waits it's turn in the distance. 

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Shot-10  WC 6660,6548 (SD45s) ready to head south at South Itasca,WI.  Final shot of WC 6660 and 6533 side by side at South Itasca.

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