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Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Steam Locomotives

The classifications given by railroads to their steam locomotive fleets were as varied as the machines themselves with several different designations within a particular class! The Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range steam locomotives were likewise characterized by a wide range of classes. In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of DM&IR's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad. The Duluth Missabe and Iron Range Railway is a Minnesota institution and best remembered for its primary source of traffic, iron ore.

The railroads that eventually made up the DM&IR had their beginnings dating back to the mid-1880s when high-grade ore was discovered in northern Minnesota. The DM&IR was also somewhat unique in having the ability to move its product directly from the mine to dock without the need of another railroad or transportation source to do so.

While the DM&IR would remain under steel interest ownership for much of its life, for over 120 years this chorus of moving ore kept the railroad quite profitable. By the 21st the DM&IR was one of only a small handful of classic lines still around. However, that all changed in May 2004 when Canadian National purchased Great Lakes Transportation, which owned the railroad, thus finally closing the book on the fabled Duluth Missabe and Iron Range Railway.

For its small size the DM&IR operated some massive steam locomotives, no doubt due to the fact that its primary traffic was very dense iron ore/taconite pellets. While its roster was small steam locomotive types included 2-8-8-2s, 2-8-8-4 Yellowstones, 2-10-4 Texas Types, and 2-10-2 Santa Fes. Today, several of these locomotives survive including three Yellowstones and a Santa Fe. For complete information regarding all surviving DM&IR steam locomotives please click here.

Class E

The DM&IR's Class E included its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes and 2-10-4 Texas Types.

Class J

The DM&IR's Class J included its only roster of 4-8-0 Twelve-Wheelers.

Class M

The DM&IR's Class M included its fleet of 2-8-8-2s and 2-8-8-4 Yellowstones.

Class N

The DM&IR's Class N included its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados.

Class S

The DM&IR's Class S included its fleet of switchers; 0-8-0s, 0-10-0s, and 0-10-2s.

For complete roster information regarding Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range steam locomotives please click here.

For more reading on the Duluth Missabe and Iron Range Railway you might want to consider the book Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway from author John Leopard. The book gives a fabulous general history of the railroad from its beginnings to present day operations under the CN system with plenty of colored photos included. If you have any interest in the Missabe Road you definitely won’t be disappointed with Mr. Leopard’s book.

Also, another book of interest about the DM&IR is entitled The Missabe Road: The Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway by author Frank King. This 224-page publication gives a much more in-depth look at the Missabe Road from its earliest beginnings in 1884 to present day operations (just prior to the CN takeover). If you’re after a more detailed look at the DM&IR this book covers it all. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing these books please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".

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