MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN - 2019

Since 1896, the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad has served the vital role of shuttling iron ore from the Marquette Iron Range down to the dock for further transport via the Great Lakes.

Created and still owned and operated by iron mining giant Cleveland-Cliffs, the railroad was created primarily to streamline shipment around the existing railroads, whose rates were too high and service too unreliable in the opinion of mining managers.

Now working their 123rd season, the railroad whose original mainline was built in just 8 months continues to use both the original route and new territory to serve the Tilden Mine, Michigan’s last operating iron ore exploit.

Long revered for its beautiful scenery and battle-worn General Electric horsepower, the LS&I of today still resembles that of days gone by, as they continue to operate some of the last U30C and C30-7 locomotives in the country, shuttling ore cars which date back to before World War II.

In this special presentation of the Thornapple River Rail Series, we’ll take a look at the modern LS&I, with its heavy-haul attitude in a small homegrown package, which ships over 8 million long tons of iron ore annually.

So come along for a trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, as we document the Lake Superior and Ishpeming of the 21st Century: Michigan’s Iron Ore Road.

---------

Links to buy "LS&I in Color" Volumes 1 and 2. Note: these are NOT affiliate links or sponsored: I just really love these books and believe they should get the recognition they deserve!

Vol 1: https://www.amazon.com/Lake-Superior-...
Vol 2: https://www.amazon.com/Lake-Superior-...

---------

Curious about how the railroads in this video are laid out on the map? Check out my Google Map Overlay of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Railroads, via this link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1GeS...

Thanks for watching! Make sure to leave a like and subscribe, for more from the Thornapple River Rail Series! Your support keeps this channel rolling – don’t forget to leave your thoughts and questions in the comments below!

Also like TRRS on Facebook!   / thornappleriverproductions  

Videography Equipment:
- Primary: Sony FDR-AX53 4K Camcorder
- Secondary: Sony HDR-PJ790V HD Camcorder
- Aerial Platform: DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Drone
- Radio Scanner: Uniden Bearcat BC125AT
- Edited with: Cyberlink PowerDirector 16

Created by Alex Christmas. Copyright 2019, as the Thornapple River Rail Series, All Rights Reserved