The DMIR railroad was a ore hauling railroad. The railroad moved ore to and from mines into Duluth and Two Harbors area. The railroad owned some impressisve steam power including the M-3 and M-4 yellowstone locomotives. The Route The route starts at the loading port of Two harbors with a massive yard and docks as seen here. Ships only load here. Then route travels about 30 miles to Duluth Harbor . Finally the track come to a large yard leading into the Duluth loading docks. Cars are pushed up then the gravity chutes load the boats. The ore cars are loaded at serval mines but the closest on would be Virginia MN 65 miles away. Rolling Stock Firstly the 18 massive yellowstone locomotives 220-237 The 500 and 700 class 2-10-2s and 2-10-4s And finnally the N-4, N-5, and N-6 class 2-8-2s The rolling stock would consist mostly of ore hoppers. Other equipment such as snowplows and wrecking cranes were used. OperationsThe operations would included running loaded hopper trains up 150 cars long on the main line from Virginia mine to Duluth or two harbors. Switching in the yards. Pushing cars up onto the docks and loading ships at one of harbors. Note in winter when the Soo locks close all operations come to a halt except snowplowing and moving parts for ships is sometimes done. In the end the route would bring a new experince to TS. It would be a great fun.
