Working rail roads and their tracks.

[jjeff]

. Edit. I'm unsure if it's still standing haven't been in that area in 20 yrs it was however the largest ore dock in the world at that time. Interesting article to read, if that floats your boat apologies for not having a YouTube on it, does have some interesting pictures though lol.

The largest ore dock in the world — Steemit

Ashland, Wisconsin at one time had four ore docks, three of which were all wood structures, built in the late 1800s… by melinda010100

steemit.com

 

[MossRoad]

. Edit. I'm unsure if it's still standing haven't been in that area in 20 yrs it was however the largest ore dock in the world at that time. Interesting article to read, if that floats your boat apologies for not having a YouTube on it, does have some interesting pictures though lol.

The largest ore dock in the world — Steemit

Ashland, Wisconsin at one time had four ore docks, three of which were all wood structures, built in the late 1800s… by melinda010100

steemit.com

It's still there. Google Earth screen capture...

 

[Popgadget]

Popgadget,
i see you are from bedminster,
I grew up there off of Deep Run Rd

I’m right around the corner on 113

 

[ArlyA]

It's still there. Google Earth screen capture...

View attachment 788705

I believe that ore dock was taken down. We've driven thought Ashland 1000 times and seems that its not there. Superior WI has a few unused ones still up.

 

[jjeff]

I believe that ore dock was taken down. We've driven thought Ashland 1000 times and seems that its not there. Superior WI has a few unused ones still up.

Yep according to the internet it was taken down in 2013, only the base remains, even the concrete footers used for it are impressive still visible from the googler. I believe the city is trying to turn it into a waterfront park. Amazing that was the largest ore dock in the world, which I've overlooked dozens of times driving past it. It was a very impressive sight as I recall.

 

[MossRoad]

It must just be the base visible from Google Earth.

Ashland Sees Historic Oredock Redevelopment As Bridge To The Future

A walk to the end of the Ashland Oredock feels like a walk out onto Lake Superior for Ed Monroe.“We’re out amongst the buoys and the shipping lane,” he…

www.wxpr.org

 

[Hay Dude]

Did the need for steel production subside and thus the oredock close because the USA was pretty much fully built, or did it close because most steel is now imported?
Or both?

 

[ArlyA]

Did the need for steel production subside and thus the ore dock close because the USA was pretty much fully built, or did it close because most steel is now imported?
Or both?

The process switched to taconite ore and away from hematite, that was shipped from Ashland.

The switched occurred after WWII is discussed here.

 

[jjeff]

The process switched to taconite ore from hematite that was shipped from Ashland.

The switched occurred after WWII is discussed here.

That was a very interesting article, thanks for the refresher I read something similar years ago but long forgot the majority of it. I remember seeing rail lines feeding ore docks along the north shore of Minnesota. I know there's one operational open pit iron mine in Marquette and rail lines feed the last operational ore dock in Marquette. A few of the locals were talking about the eagle mine by Big Bay and a possible railroad, to a refinery in Marquette never happened for various reasons, so they truck it. Must be valuable ore cause it's definitely not a cost effective way.

 

[the old grind]

Valuable?

Eagle Mine (Michigan) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[MossRoad]

Did the need for steel production subside and thus the oredock close because the USA was pretty much fully built, or did it close because most steel is now imported?
Or both?

As mentioned, that dock was used primarily in the shipment of hematite. It was mined underground, and very expensive to get out of the ground.

Taconite was at or near the surface, much easier and less expensive to get.

 

[Hay Dude]

So why not bring the taconite there?

 

[jjeff]

So why not bring the taconite there?

Probably over 100 miles by rail to get from current mine to an existing old ore dock. Most of these ore docks are old like over 100 yrs old. The one they still use In Marquette MI was built in the 1910s I believe. If it's the Presque Isle ore dock I'm thinking of and it's still in use.

 

[ArlyA]

So why not bring the taconite there?

There are no taconite mines in the Ashland area.

 

[jjeff]

Ship taconite out of 100+ yr old docks like this one in Two Harbors MN on the Mesabi range .KARE in the Air: Two Harbors ore docks

 

[ArlyA]

Here is a nice video of the BNSF ore dock in Superior WI. They talk about the process some in it.

 

[MossRoad]

Found this last night. Interesting reading.

Great Ore Docks of the Great Lakes – Updated

Iron ore docks are one of the most iconic symbols of the northern Great Lakes. From the last quarter of the 19th-century to the mid-20th century these enormous timber or steel/concrete structures d…

panethos.wordpress.com

 

[dodge man]

Lately this thread has me playing Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald in my head.

 

[jjeff]

When not reading about and occasionally telling about my previous jobs, equipment, tractor related/ rural experiences I truly enjoy reading about historical industrial things on this forum thank you to all .

 

[dodge man]

Through work I’ve worked on a couple of rail projects, I think they were always sidings so switches are involved. I always heard the term FROGS thrown around. It’s where the rails come together. I Googled it and it resembles the underside of a horses hoof. It sounds like the term goes back many years.