Steam is still coming off of a loaded train as it accelerates toward the highway crossing at Rollins, making a run at the last long upgrade section of track between here and Highland. Like many railfans, I lamented the arrival of these Dash 8's a few years ago as they ended the long-standing exclusive use of EMD products on these taconite trains on the former DMIR Iron Range Sub. Now, with newer Dash 9's on the horizon and the construction of a new loop track at Two Harbors that will allow DPU operation well underway, I have to admit that these things look and sound pretty great. I was happy to get a few more shots of them on this trip "up north." Things never seem to stay the same for long.
