| A Caterpillar D-11 distributes coal atop the massive storage pile at Midwest Energy Resources Company (MERC), Superior, WI on 25 Jun. '16. The structure at center and above the coal pile conveys the coal after it is unloaded from the train via a rotary dumping machine in a building behind me. The coal is delivered by 123-car BNSF unit trains, 14,000 tons at a time. UP also brings coal, their trains are likely similar in size and capacity. There are augers underneath the coal pile which convey the coal to ships. Some regional customers bring in trucks to pick up their coal. This information comes from the facilities website, http://www.midwestenergy.com/, which includes some interesting videos as well. I was fortunate enough to receive a tour of this impressive facility with a well-known group of like-minded railroad history enthusiasts. |