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Category: Prototype Reference for Modelers
Hits: 2004

Copper Range Diesels

Trying to collect as much info as I can into one place.  Copper Range Diesel Prototype & modeling info.

Being as I grew up in Michigan, where railroads such as Mineral Range, Copper Range, Quincy & Torch Lake, DSS&A, LS&I, and later Soo Line & Wisconsin Central ran (now Canadian National), I figured I'd do some articles on them.

Photographer unknown, slide © Josh Baakko collection

First of the Upper Michigan modeling series will be Copper Range (CR locally, AAR: COPR) diesels. COPR owned three, all Baldwin's, #100 & #101 were DS-4-4-1000's, and #200, which was bought later, an S12.

#100, and #101 left the range in 1974, destined for the New Hope & Ivyland, after the 1972 shutdown of the railroad.  #200 was retained by Copper Range corporate, and moved to White Pine MI, the location of the last operating mine on the Copper Range Mining company property.  Many years later, I photographed it in Mellen WI with an ex-LS&I RS3, without realizing at the time what I was seeing.

Modeling info:
For HO Scale modelers, these units are quite easy.  Athearn produced an S12 at one time, and Stewart/Bowser makes both the S12 & DS-4-4-1000.  I'd recommend the Stewart, as they're easier to paint, and run smoother.  In 2019 Bowser released #100 and #101 as RTR models, with or without sound, decorated for Copper Range.  I still have yet to purchase one, if you know of someone parting with one, please let me know!

The Soo Line historical society has provided a home for COPR & DSS&A stuff, and they happen to produce a decal sheet!

Prototype Info:

#100:
Fallen Flag Railroad Photos has these 3 black & white shots taken after #100's sale to the New Hope & Ivyland.
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/misc-c/copr100ags.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/misc-c/copr100bgs.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/misc-c/copr100cgs.jpg

Some additional color photos:
http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr0901/jt229.jpg
http://baldwindiesels.railfan.net/copper/index.html

Photographer unknown, slide © Josh Baakko collection
Photographer unknown, slide © Josh Baakko collection

#101:
http://algomacentral.railfan.net/images/Oldies/cr_101.jpg
http://algomacentral.railfan.net/images/Oldies/cr_train.jpg

Houghton MI, Photographer unknown, slide © Josh Baakko collection
Houghton MI, Photographer unknown, slide © Josh Baakko collection
McKeaver MI, Photographer unknown, slide © Josh Baakko collection

#200:

White Pine mine, Photographer unknown, slide © Josh Baakko collection
Mellen WI ~1997, © Josh Baakko

Collections:
http://www.copperrange.org

For more reading material on the Copper Range, I suggest the following books:
The Copper Range Railroad (Copper Country Local History Series)
Copper Country Rail

©1997/2011/2020, Josh Baakko, https://www.modelrailroadtips.com