Eastern Railroad Discussion > U30C's and C30-7's Still Going Strong On The LS&I

I finally made a trip up the Upper Peninsula this week. The main goal was the Lake Superior and Ishpeming. We started the day on Wednesday around 9am and had heard on the radio that the 7 am Tilden and 7 am Hill/Yard were already in Tilden. So we sat at Tilden Junction and waited. About an hour later we heard the chugging of GE's coming around the corner. LSI U30C's #3000 and #3009 were in charge of 60 loads going back to Eagle Mills. We would chase them to Eagle Mills and get them at the crossing before entering the yard. The 7 Hill/Yard was right behind with a pair of CEFX AC4400CW's. Both trains would cut away and run together light power back to Tilden. It takes roughly 90 minutes to load. We set up at Eagle Mills Junction and shot them coming back with the 3000 leading again. They arrived back in the yard around 2:00 p.m. The 3 p.m. Tilden Job would take them back Tilden and start the process all over again. We would chase them south to a crossing just south of Eagle Mills Junction and wait for the northbound return and chase them back. It is a very easy line to chase as speeds are 10 m.p.h.

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Up by the dock there is a LSI U28C on display

On the way back from the dock we heard the Dock Job get permission in the yard with a pair of AC4400CW's

The U30's heading back to Eagle Mills with another load

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3000 leading north

They would turn the power and the 3000 led again heading south

Nearing the junction we shot it from the overpass

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Eagle Mills Junction

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3009 finally leading back north

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2 of the 4 dead U30C's in the yard

An Erie Mining C420 at the CN yard in Ishpeming

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On Thursday we started at 7am in hopes of seeing the C30-7's. We heard the 7 Tilden call the operator and announce they had the 3073 and 3074. It was the same routine as the day before only this day we had lots and lots of snow. We started at the east end and watched them come out and head back to the west end. At about 8 the Hill/Yard job called and got permission to leave. The 7 Tilden would be right behind. We chased them down to a crossing just south of Eagle Mills Junction. About an hour after they passed we heard a horn in the distance and knew it wasn't LSI. To our surprise it was the S&A heritage unit leading a CN local towards Ishpeming. After they cleared the Hill/Yard job with the AC44 pair showed up with the 7 Tilden shortly behind. Enjoy!!

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Great set of shots must be nice to be able to foam all the time
Mark

Excellent series of pictures!
I really enjoyed these - thanks.
Gary

You had a couple great days on the LS&I! I'd like to get back to the UP again. Did not make it to Marquette last trip.

TJY

Thanks for sharing, great photos

Posted from iPhone

Excellent! Thanks for sharing this. A thought--I'd reckon there are more six axle Century/M Series running in the U.S. than six axle U boats/Dash 7's. Hmm. But Alco sucked so badly that they had to shut down, eh?

Amazing set of photos. Thanks for taking us with you via these images.
Bob

great sets of photos