Western Railroad Discussion > Legislators on the rails

Montana's legislature meets on even years for 90 days. After their midterm break BNSF and MRL sponsor a train ride for the politicos from Helena to Avon and return on the Saturday after their return.  Today was the day.  Passenger equipment was provided by BN with an engine from each railroad so no helpers are needed over Mullan Pass.  Here is this year's train not far west of Blossburg.The recently rebuilt Glorietta Pass is the second car in this train, right behind the power car.

It was a nice day to be out in the open air.  This is one of the first photos from the new Nikon AF 70-200mm f2.8 E FL ED lens.  It was time to upgrade my old workhorse 70-200mm from Nikon which was designed when cameras used film.  This lens is designed around 24+ mpix sensors and also has the Nikon nanocoating on some of the elements as well as a pair of flourite elements.  I like the improvements though they do come at a steep price. I had to cash out some retirement funds to replace the chase vehicle so I took out a little extra for the glass as well.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/17 00:45 by fbe.

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Looks as if your investment was well worth it. Great shot, Al.

Art House

Great shot.

Ronda Thomas

That's pretty! Great shot, nice looking train too. === === = === JLH

Nice train, nice shot!

Along Dog Crick. Were the beavers purring at your ankles?
Monad



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/17 09:58 by monaddave.

A great and rare shot with that Blue Bird on the point. Can't say much about the cargo, often over paid, over fed and under worked--a free train ride is just one example. However, I like that any part-time legislator/subsidized cowboys onboard will experience first-hand the cleanest, safest, most pleasant and environmentally friendly form of public transport. I wonder what "cookie" has on the menu, perhaps "Trump Steak", cut from Jackalope aged 70 years!  



Edited 6 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/17 13:12 by railwaybaron.

I was south of the road and 15' up the embankment to shoot over the beaver salad bar so I was well out of the beaver comfort zone. I note one of the small feeders had open water with leafy under water plant life. I wonder if this is a warm water stream to provide a beaver hot tub. I was not going to lay face down in the snow to reach down and check out the water temp.

I would have to check if this is Dog Crik or Spotted Dog Crik which both meet just east of Elliston.



monaddave Wrote:
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> Along Dog Crick. Were the beavers purring at your
> ankles?
> Monad

The Montana legislators are not professional government employees and mostly have full time jobs in their home districts. Most of them probably take a cut in pay when the legislature is in session.


railwaybaron Wrote:
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> A great and rare shot with that Blue Bird on the
> point. Can't say much about the cargo, over paid,
> over fed and under worked--free train ride is just
> one example. 

fbe Wrote:
>>would have to check if this is Dog Crik or Spotted Dog Crik which both meet just east of Elliston.>>

Oh, I think you're right, Spotted Dog. 
Dave

fbe Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Montana legislators are not professional
> government employees and mostly have full time
> jobs in their home districts. Most of them
> probably take a cut in pay when the legislature is
> in session.
>
>
> railwaybaron Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > A great and rare shot with that Blue Bird on
> the
> > point. Can't say much about the cargo, over
> paid,
> > over fed and under worked--free train ride is
> just
> > one example. 

Nebraska is the same way, legislature pay isn't a lot.  Plus, we only have a Unicameral - no separate House and Senate!

MAB

Beautiful, looks like an IOTD candidate in my opinion.
John

Very NICE!!!

Larry