Western Railroad Discussion > Some More Love for the MRL

Sad that the passing of "Montana's Own Railroad" will happen later this year. Here are a couple photo from July 1st 2005 when the sound of EMD 20 cylinder 645 engines rumbled thorugh the mountains of Mullan and Bozeman passes.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

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Great pair. Five flares in that first one, what a catch.
JB

How long did MRL keep their Guilford-painted ex-N&W SD45 (or was there more than 1?), and did they chop the nose(s) and repaint it (them) eventually? I caught one in Sealy (TX), I think it was numbered 681, on a BNSF train.

Matthew Dittert

Roadmaster Wrote:
<<How long did MRL keep their Guilford-painted ex-N&W SD45 (or was there more than 1?>>

There were three, one is still on MRL's roster. Some of the below info cut and pasted from the MRL-groups-io files roster....
680 - The only ex-Guilford to remain high-hood and in Guilford paint. Scrapped summer of 2008. Would have been MRL 347 but never made it that far.

682 - Became MRL 346, chop-nosed at CEECO and upgraded with Q-tron microprocessor and dash 2 electricals, 6/99. Sent to Progress Rail in Tacoma for paint and new red circle lion logo 4/9/11. Unit is currently out of service in Livingston, MT awaiting electrical parts (I bet it never returns).

686 - Became MRL 345, chop-nosed at CEECO and upgraded with Q-tron microprocessor and dash 2 electricals, 11/98. Wrecked in Bozeman helper collision 11/8/02, scrapping completed 8/9/06 in Livingston.

Dave in MT



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/22 11:35 by monaddave.

Nice look back at the MRL Ted! Sure going to miss the MRL.

Larry

I like Pic 2!!

Both are excellent!  Most especially like Photo 1.
Thanks for your posting.
ALLEN

great shots Ted.
  Mark Mautner