It was a sunnier day than today... and a bit warmer, by the looks of the clothing. Back in 1972 on October 27 these men were part of a moment frozen in time: the final run of the Copper Range Railroad. Our thanks to Kevin Musser for his outstanding commemoration of this part of the region's history at CopperRange.org.

The shot was taken at McKeever, just to the southeast of Mass City (lower left corner below. Thanks Toivo!)

i was not around then, but it would have been fun to jump a train. i was born 4 years after that picture was taken. things sure do change over the years hey? from the first car, to now. in my lifetime i have seen alot of things change, and it just shocks me. how fast they do change, how fast life goes by, and more.

Lisa and all,
Way back when, between 1907 and 1918, you could ride trains between McKeever and Mandan and Lac la Belle. That would have been on the Copper Range and the Keweenaw Central. The Copper Range was the major force in develping the area between Houghton and Ontonagon, it provided good service in moving people and goods for years. Durung WWII they added a train to meet with Milwaukee Road's Chippiwa Hiawatha at McKeever so folks would have another connection to the outside during the days of gas and rubber rationing. Traffic fell sharply when the Champion mine closed at Painedale and when C&H closed. It has been alleged that the Copper Range Railroad was sent to a premature demise to cover some finacial losses at White Pine - mainly a multi-million dollar conveyor system that didn't work out as planned. Had they hung on a bit longer, they may have made some money during the per-diem cars boom. After that, who knows, perhaps rail access might have made some difference.

Where and when did the picture of the green engine by Chris Gleason occur? I can't seem to find it on the Copper Range website. It looks like there's an interesting story behind it....

i would like to know what size engine that train had?

A picture and story about the green engine can be found at http://www.copperrange.org/new.htm

I remember a train on the Milwaukee Road that went thru Iron Mountain very early in the A.M. called the C0pper Country Limited. I can't remember when the service was discontinued.

Re Copper Country Limited: many folks, business & faculty from MTU, used to take the train overnight to Chicago for meetings. They spent the day at their conference and take the train back the next evening. Inexpensive as far as $ and time go. Now it takes 2 1/2 days at the least for a one-day meeting downstate, and very costly whether by auto or plane. Folks called the CCL the "square wheeler." The train system back in the 40's was neat--my folks used to drive me up to Hermansville from Menominee where I caught the Soo Line at 11 pm. There was a long stop at Pembine to pick up transfers & freight from the CCL. I'd arrive in St. Paul around 7:30, catch a street car & make it to my 8 am class. Lots of students rode the train--kids going to Augsburg, Carleton, Hamline, Bethel, Macalester, Gustavus, St. Olaf. We'd rent a pillow for 25 cents if we got sleepy. Trains were great! We can now make great use of the railways by converting Rails to Trails and enjoying them for biking.

Lisa, here is some information on the Copper Range DS 4-4-1000's.

Copper Range owned two Baldwin DS 4-4-1000's numbered 100 and 101. When the Copper Range ceased operation they were sold to the New Hope and Ivyland RR, they are currently still running for the SMS-Penn Jersey Rail Lines

Baldwin DS4-4-1000 Specifications (as-built):

.Builder: .Baldwin Loco. Works,
.Eddystone, (Philadelphia), PA .Engine model: .606SC
.Date built: 4/1947 .Type: .4-stroke diesel
.Horsepower: .1000 .Aspiration: .Turbosupercharger
.Top speed: .60 mph .Cylinders: .6
.Weight: .229,810 lbs. .Bore x Stroke: .12.75 x 15.5"
.Tractive effort: .57,400 lbs. .Displacement: .12,467 c.i.
.Length: .46' 0" .Idle speed: .- rpm
.Max. speed: .625 rpm
.Capacities: .Brake system: .6-DS
.Fuel: .650 gals. .Transmission: .DC generator
.Lube oil: .170 gals. .DC traction motors
.Water: .250 gals.

Ex Copper Range #101 still getting to see some snow on the SMS-Penn Jersey Rail Lines today.
http://www.sms-pennjerseyrail.com/101008.jpg

thanks for the information MG!

Thanks for sharing Kevin! I tell stories to my sons about running outside to wave to the men that worked on the train as it passed right outside our house on it's run. Sometimes we were lucky and they threw us girls some candy (they knew our dad worked just down the road at the local sawmill where the train sometimes loaded and switched cars). My boys sure don't know what a treat they missed when the trains stopped running!!

I think all abandoned railroad properties should be held in public trust. In the future the land would be available for safe high speed transport in mono-rail or magnetic levitation trains. Just think, no waiting 2 or 3 days snowbound at O'Hare. Only a 2 or 3 hour ride to Chicago in any kind of weather. As our population increases and the roads become more congested, modern rail transport will be a viable means of transport linking the U.P. to points south.

I believe the Milwaukee Road/Copper Country Limited ended its tour of duty in 1968. I was on the last run to Mliwaukee when I went for my Army physical. May be wrong, but thats what I recall.

Correct me if i am wrong, but it was in 1968 that the Milwaukee Road/Copper Country Limited ceased operations. I rode the trains last run when I went to Milwaukee for an army physical back when the Selective Service Draft was going strong.

Just visited Copper Country for the 2nd time, last was in 1957, Hey, I`ll se youse guys next spring!! Great country

Hi, I work for SMS and have worked on 101 it is not currently in service b/c of a bad crank. We hope to put one in soon.