by Jeremy Winkworth

On July 21st, 1994, a total of 28 motor cars (speeders) travelled from the LS&I's yard at Presque Isle, Marquette, to Republic Mine, southwest of Humboldt. This is a distance of 41 miles. The LS&I are currently very busy, and the motor cars were placed on the dock relief track to the constant bustle of the LS&I's 3000HP GE units pushing loaded ore cars onto the dock. After a run up the hill to Eagle Mills, going over the Dead River Bridge and Planter Trestle, we found a loaded ore train waiting for us to clear the section. After Diamond Junction, we entered the tripartite section through Negaunee to Euclid Yard, which contained 3 tank wagons and some empty pulpwood flats. Past Euclid Yard, the LS&I have been replacing ties, in preparation for resuming service to Republic Mine. About 45,000 tons of process byproduct will be removed this year and 450,000 tons next year, to be sent to a cement company in Alpena. The tie crew had almost reached Humboldt Junction in mid-July. Upgrading of this LS&I track benefits the WC too, of course, as they also use this section.

On the branch to the mine, the track was still in very good condition, considering that this mine was last used in 1978. However, the wye tracks to Humboldt Mine were totally overgrown a short distance from the junction. For a while, we ran alongside the trackbed of the former Milkwaukee line to Champion, now reduced from the prestige of bearing the Copper Country Limited to the inevitable snowmobile trail. A motor car shed still exists on the branch. We ran under the loader at Republic Mine and then turned the cars at a grade crossing on the other side to motor back to the M-41 crossing, where we stopped for lunch. A few breakdowns were experienced but the offending cars were fixed within a few minutes and caused minimal delay. The return trip including a brief tour of the workshops and yard at Eagle Mills. As soon as we cleared the hill into West Yard, a train of empties headed back up it. There was no doubt in anyones mind that the LS&I were very busy !

This was my first motor car trip, and I must say that it is a most exciting hobby. Although the WC has been resistant to allowing Motor Car rides in the past, they recently allowed a 2 day ride from Sault Ste Marie to Manistique and back. I look forward to future organized rides in the U.P. of Michigan.

Return to the Excursion Reports Page

 Last Edited 28 January, 2018