DM&IR Steam Variety

Producer: Greg Scholl

Locations: Proctor, Two Harbors, Duluth

Timeframe: 1947- 1961

Length: 44 minutes

Sources: Perry & Jim Becker, M. Laing, Roher.

An assortment of Steam. Duluth Missabe and Iron Range. Ore Docks at Lake Superior. Full color 16mm sources, set this show apart. Original sound recordings by, E. Purington.

Detailed Chapter Menu, is very handy. Subtitles. Preview section. Still shots. Maps are included.

John Hingsbergen, the regular narrator for Greg Scholl is here. Excellent narration and smooth delivery.

This program is organized in chronological order. Yellowstones, are the huge steam locomotives, of the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range. Plenty of them in this release.

Highlights only. Steam and some Early Diesel.

Begins in 1947. Clarence Becker film.

Open Pit Mine. Largest in the world. Oliver Iron Mining. 0-8-0 Steam. Distant views. Mountain Crushing Plant, with closer views.

Proctor, MN. Roundhouse and Yard. Yellowstone. Two Harbors docks. 2-8-8-2 uphill.

1957 Visit

Proctor Yard. The 715 washed. This is a 2-10-4. Former, Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad. Check the size of the standing man. Large engine! Steamers at yard.

The 715 is a 2-10-4. Check the size of the standing man. Large locomotive there!

DM&IR Yellowstone 2-8-8-4, #229 is on the turntable, at Proctor roundhouse.

Yellowstone 222 on bridge leaves the yard.

A Baldwin 2-10-2 switching the docks at Duluth.

1958 Excursion 222

Duluth to Two Harbors. 0+10-2 is seen. 222 takes water. 1305 shown. Photo op. 502 at Proctor.

The 1305 is shown. A Mikado, 2-8-2. This was a common wheel arrangement. Appears small on this Railroad, of large locomotives.

May 1959

Two day visit. At Proctor, F7 B&LE led Ore train. Yellowstone 228 on 120 car ore train. Chased by car. End day one.

Great Northern FT set meets the Yellowstone 228 at yard. The 228 departs, to be chased again on this second day.

The big Yellowstone is chased again!

Ore Melting November 1959

Ore thawing for Yellowstones. Limited yard moves. 706 also seen. An ex: Bessemer & Lake Erie, 2-10-4 wheel arrangement. Note the logo.

Excursion in 1960 #222

Goes to Two Harbors.

1961 had 2 Excursions. 224 and 225

Yellowstone 224 departs Duluth. These are separate excursions. The details are within the program.

This Yellowstone 225, left Proctor. Near Saginaw, Minnesota. Same day, separate trip.

Duluth & Northeastern by Maynard Laing 1958

Duluth & Northeastern. A Shortline. Connection at Saginaw. Several Steam engines are shown operating. Switching cars in Cloquet. #28 hauls a freight.

Study the backgrounds. Model Railroaders shall find a gold mine! Period scenes. Structures, Freight cars, signage, vehicles etc… Rural America.

The yellow caboose marked the end of a DM&IR train. Also, the end of this review.

DM&IR Steam Variety

This is a fine tour of some Lake Superior Steam Railroading, in the late 1950s. Featuring, Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range. The Yellowstone class Steam Locomotives, are the star of the show!

Filmed in all color, 16mm. High quality viewing is a pleasure to watch. Melding the original sound recordings, work well.

John Hingsbergen provides an interesting and informative narrative.

The additional locomotives are like, icing on the cake. Maynard Laing footage of, Duluth and Northeastern fits in perfectly.

Brings up the question… What are you waiting for? An excellent show!

Rating: 5 Stars