In the northern woods of Minnesota lies the Mesabi Iron Range, an area rich in taconite iron ore. When this production was filmed in 2001, the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway was busy hauling this ore from processing plants to the rail docks on Lake Superior. We'll explore the operations of the DM&IR beginning at the dock in Two Harbors, along its two divisions and several branch lines, to the huge docks in Duluth, and see its beautiful maroon and gold locomotives at work.
Traveling along the Iron Range Division from Two Harbors to Iron Junction, we spot DM&IR's SD40-3s, former SD45T-2s remanufactured for the railroad. At Highland, a southbound train enters the scale track to weigh each car. The DM&IR runs three general freight trains and we watch one, the Miscellaneous Road Freight, head onto the branch line at Wales to pick up freight cars from the Northshore Mining Company. A rail train, led by an SD38AC, departs the yard in Biwabik. At Iron Junction a northbound train is headed by a rebuilt SD18 and a rebuilt SD9, now both classified as SD-Ms.
On the Missabe Division, run-through power includes CSX SD80MACs and BNSF Dash 9s. An SD38DC leads a southbound load with steam rising in the cold winter air from freshly processed taconite pellets. We're treated to the nonstop operations at Dock 6 in Duluth, the largest ore dock on the Great Lakes. The DM&IR, seen here through all four seasons, delivers a unique combination of hardworking railroading, intriguing motive power, modern industrial facilities, and scenic wilderness. It's a great viewing experience!
DVD Special Features:
In Color with Stereo Sound and Narration
Full-screen (4x3) Format
No region code; can be played in any NTSC DVD player worldwide
Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case
ISBN: 1-56342-135-6
UPC: 7-48268-00418-6
Traveling along the Iron Range Division from Two Harbors to Iron Junction, we spot DM&IR's SD40-3s, former SD45T-2s remanufactured for the railroad. At Highland, a southbound train enters the scale track to weigh each car. The DM&IR runs three general freight trains and we watch one, the Miscellaneous Road Freight, head onto the branch line at Wales to pick up freight cars from the Northshore Mining Company. A rail train, led by an SD38AC, departs the yard in Biwabik. At Iron Junction a northbound train is headed by a rebuilt SD18 and a rebuilt SD9, now both classified as SD-Ms.
On the Missabe Division, run-through power includes CSX SD80MACs and BNSF Dash 9s. An SD38DC leads a southbound load with steam rising in the cold winter air from freshly processed taconite pellets. We're treated to the nonstop operations at Dock 6 in Duluth, the largest ore dock on the Great Lakes. The DM&IR, seen here through all four seasons, delivers a unique combination of hardworking railroading, intriguing motive power, modern industrial facilities, and scenic wilderness. It's a great viewing experience!
DVD Special Features:
- Two stereo soundtracks, one with the natural train sounds, the other with narration added. The viewer can switch the narration on or off at any time.
- Chapter Menu provides instant access to program segments.
In Color with Stereo Sound and Narration
Full-screen (4x3) Format
No region code; can be played in any NTSC DVD player worldwide
Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case
ISBN: 1-56342-135-6
UPC: 7-48268-00418-6
Customer Reviews
👍 4 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
An interesting video on the operations of railroad hauling ore products in a region that is not common to the mainline operators. But it'd not all ore haulage, as there is some general manifests and a work train as well to be seen. Pentrex has done a fine covering the 4 seasons of the year, with plenty of action throughout. The territory of the DM&IR is well covered as well. Other companies also make occasional appearances like the WC, UP, CN, CSX, etc... We also see the ship yards and some boats come in, one which shows itself unloading bulk products.
Over all, a good presentation of the region and the featured railroad.
Over all, a good presentation of the region and the featured railroad.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Yes.
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👍 2 found this helpful
- 5 of 5
CN bought DMIR back in 2004 but the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range (DMIR) DVD pays tribute to the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range this is an great dvd I would highly Recommend this DVD to anyone
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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👍 2 found this helpful
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- 4 of 5
This one is for people that love main line steel road.
The CSX coverage was a neat side show broke up the video.
The CSX coverage was a neat side show broke up the video.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Only if really interested.
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👍 2 found this helpful
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- 4 of 5
I found this documentary of great interest. It features an area of the US that we don't hear a lot of, and a rail road that has a huge motive power variety. Very absorbing viewing.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Yes.
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👍 1 found this helpful
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- 2 of 5
Though presentation of this DVD is pretty good, as one could expect from Pentrex, the DVD was overall lacking in depth and attention-getting details.
At the very beginning, some focus was placed on the mining industry, but I would have loved to learn more. Filmed in spring/summer of 2001, this is pre-9/11. The video crews should have had no problem getting into the mine (with permission and a tour) to get footage of the taconite process and loading of the hoppers. Speaking of which, absolutely no details were given about the specialty hopper cars in use. That would have been great to learn! How about the dock where the trains pull onto and unload into the ships? Nope. It was discussed, but no details were given.
After watching ore train after ore train after taconite train pass by, even with narration, I was ready for this one to end. Definitely NOT worth full price at $25. I bought it at $14.98 (60% off), and I feel it still was just an OK value at that.
At the very beginning, some focus was placed on the mining industry, but I would have loved to learn more. Filmed in spring/summer of 2001, this is pre-9/11. The video crews should have had no problem getting into the mine (with permission and a tour) to get footage of the taconite process and loading of the hoppers. Speaking of which, absolutely no details were given about the specialty hopper cars in use. That would have been great to learn! How about the dock where the trains pull onto and unload into the ships? Nope. It was discussed, but no details were given.
After watching ore train after ore train after taconite train pass by, even with narration, I was ready for this one to end. Definitely NOT worth full price at $25. I bought it at $14.98 (60% off), and I feel it still was just an OK value at that.
Additional comments:
Narration: Could have used more.
Would kids enjoy this? I doubt it.
Image quality: A little rough around the edges.
Value: Overpriced.
Recommend? Only if really interested.
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👍 1 found this helpful
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- 3 of 5
I am a bit disappointed: I would like to see more scenes from the port areas - but unhappily - that area is covered in another program of Pentrex.
The other contents are very good. For who likes SD´s locmotives it is a very recommended video.
Sorry about english!
The other contents are very good. For who likes SD´s locmotives it is a very recommended video.
Sorry about english!
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Seemed a little high.
Recommend? Only if really interested.
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