Prior to dieselization, huge steam locomotives pulled the Duluth & Missabe Iron Range's trains and were arguably the world's largest steam locomotives.  These locomotives, known as "Yellowstones", were of the 2-8-8-4 wheel arrangement with a tractive effort of 140,000 lbs and were built by Baldwin, 8 M3s in 1941 and 10 M4s in 1943 weighing 569 tons. Fuel used was 10-12 tons of coal and 12,000 gallons of water per hour.

 Early diesels of the SD-9 and RSD-15 class later replaced the steamers, and conversion to the newer and more efficient, though less spectacular engines, took place in the late fifties and early sixties. Three of these spectacular engines have been placed on display in the Minnesota area. These engines typically pulled 180 car trains over most of the railroad without helpers except on the difficult climb out of Duluth Harbor to Proctor Yards en route to the mines. Here a second Yellowstone was sometimes used as a pusher on the rear of the trains. During the war years, Missabe shipped 45 to 50 million tons of iron ore per year.

This model of the famous train was created by A.M.R.E. president, Peter Shavney, many years ago. It has been featured in quite a few model railroad publications.  He usually has his train with him when he comes to run trains on Sundays around 1:00 P.M.  He usually runs around 60 cars but he owns one hundred seven. 

Last update  11/28/2007

© 2007 John Stabe