Author Topic: Magnetation iron "ore" shipments to Reynolds  (Read 3239 times)

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Chuck Stewart

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Magnetation iron "ore" shipments to Reynolds
« on: May 04, 2015, 01:01:25 pm »
I know there has been some discussion of this, but, here I go anyway.
I regularly watch the TRAINS Magazine Rochelle, Il webcam.  Recently, e.g. yesterday, I have seen unit trains(?) made up of what look like miniature rotary hopper cars loaded with what appears to be coal.  Car marking is MGPX for the company Magnetation...a new company that recovers "lost" iron ore from several mines in MN.  They load the processed iron "ore" into their rotary hoppers and ship via unit trains(?) to their new (9/2014) pellet plant in Reynolds, IN.  The hoppers are small due to the weight of the iron ore.  BNSF does the hauling through Rochelle.  The pellets are then shipped to the parent company's steel mills in Ohio and....
So....it appears to me these unit train movements are traveling at least a short distance on the Monon.
Am I correct?  I think this is really cool!
Just added photo of empty hoppers in Rochelle.

Magnetation has one video of their first rail shipment.  You might want to check it out.
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5/7/15:  Well, darn.  Just read that Magnetation has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  They are trying to refinance.  Their facility in Reynolds is impressive.
« Last Edit: May 07, 2015, 01:32:44 pm by Chuck Stewart »

Tom Kepshire

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Re: Magnetation iron "ore" shipments to Reynolds
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2015, 02:14:03 pm »
Yes, I believe the empty pellet unit trains go out north on the old Monon. I heard somewhere, they came in via the old TPW line, but I could be wrong.
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Robert Gibson

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Re: Magnetation iron "ore" shipments to Reynolds
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2015, 05:07:20 am »
I saw a pellet train heading into Lafayette south of Battle Ground yesterday afternoon.  The load appeared to be warm because a "smoke" was rising from the cars in the afternoon rain.