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Western Railroad Discussion > Checking out Montana last year - Days 1 and 2Date: 11/30/24 11:49 Checking out Montana last year - Days 1 and 2 Author: zephyrus One year and one month ago today I landed in Bozeman, Montana on my first trip to the state and what would end up being my only chance to see Montana Rail Link. It was a trip I had contemplated and planned for some 15 years and finally made it happen.
I rented a 4WD SUV which turned out to either be the smartest or dumbest decision of the trip. I spent a lot of time on snowy / slushy / muddy back roads, but the 3WD made me overconfident and I got myself into a few hairy situations. More on that throughout the photos. Anyway, I posted 3 shots during the trip and finally have a chance to post more. Hope you all enjoy! 1 - My first train sighting was a WB grain train just compass south of Toston. BNSF ES44C4 8244 was the lead unit and the train was waiting in a siding. I would end up seeing this train several more times, the last a few days later in Thompson Falls. This was my first boo-boo with the rental I had to drive down a muddy one lane dirt road right next to a river to reach this spot. Ended up backing nearly 1/2 a mile and while doing a 20 point turn almost went into the river when the soft ground started to sink. October 30, 2023 2 and 3 - Just north of Toston I found the train the 8244 was waiting for. EB freight heading compass south into the small town. Photos by Eugene Vicknair Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/24 12:12 by zephyrus. ![]() ![]() ![]() Date: 11/30/24 11:51 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 1 Author: zephyrus 4 - At Townsend, I found a Herzog work train tied up for the day. The control cab is certainly an interesting creature.
5 - BNSF 8244 caught up with me for the first time and went into the siding at Townsend. I waited for the oppossing train, but light was fading and I wanted to get the Helena. 6 - Trains waiting in the west end of Helena Yard.. Dinner was at the Windbag Saloon. Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/24 12:12 by zephyrus. ![]() ![]() ![]() Date: 11/30/24 11:58 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: zephyrus Halloween was spent on Mullan Pass. That day was fairly quiet, but I did manage to catch my friend from the prior day BNSF 8244 heading up the pass with a manned helper set. At Austin Road, I found a nice angle for a runby set. The sun was quite challenging this trip. The goal of day 2 was to get from Helena to Missoula.
1-3 - BNSF 8244 leads the WB grain train past Austin Road crossing. ![]() ![]() ![]() Date: 11/30/24 12:03 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: zephyrus 4 - The manned helpers on the big curve above Austin.
Now, I had done some research on the areas I wanted to travel in, but I also sometimes overtrust my sense of direction. It usually serves me well, but I don't always account for terrain and road conditions. Again, the "bravery" of having a 4WD and the desire to get ahead of the train once I hit slushly mud roads proved to be a bad combination. At one point, while trying to stay ahead of the train, I ended up skidding down a steep muddy hill, wheels turned about 25 degrees into the cliffside trying not to slide off the drop on the other side. I actually have GoPro footage of this but haven't been able to edit it down to loadable size yet. Probably for the best. 5 - BNSF 8244 leading its train over Austin Creek trestle. Love big steel trestles like this. 6- A (censored) message left by a fellow railfan on the trestle. ![]() ![]() ![]() Date: 11/30/24 12:08 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: zephyrus 7 - The helpers on the trestle.
8 - Not a fan of tags or standard graffiti, but must admit the more "artistic" pieces sometimes make me smile. Known a couple of railfans who always reminded me of these two knuckleheads. 9 - In a moment of clarity, I decided trying to find a through road west over the pass was not a great idea. I raced back toward Helena and got on the interstate. I missed the dropoff of helpers at Elliston but did manage to catch them accelerating east toward the pass and Helena. Still had not seen a single MRL locomotive...... ![]() ![]() ![]() Date: 11/30/24 12:11 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: zephyrus 10 - A LORAM grinder train was in the siding at Elliston.
11 - Forgot to post this one earlier, but got a little artsy at Austin Road crossing. 12 - Made it into Missoula and finally saw my first MRL engine, SD70ACe 4406. It was waiting in the yard, but it was blue! Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/24 12:16 by zephyrus. ![]() ![]() ![]() Date: 11/30/24 12:19 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: zephyrus 13-14 - Spent some time checking out the beautiful ex-Northern Pacific depot in Missoula.
15 - Found the yard office and discovered one of my major goals for the trip: Montana Rail Link GP40 500, aka Western Pacific 3543. Hoped to catch it running, but at least I saw it. ![]() ![]() ![]() Date: 11/30/24 12:23 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: zephyrus 16 - From the Scott Street overpass, I saw MRL SD40-2XR 257. The 257 was built as BN 636 in October 1971.
17 - There was quite a lineup of trains waiting at the west end of Missoula Yard. I scouted around trying to figure out where the gas local loaded and when it might be leaving. 18 - While looking around, my old friend BNSF 8244 showed up again. ![]() ![]() ![]() Date: 11/30/24 12:26 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: zephyrus 19 - While waiting for the gas local to depart, a Boeing 737 fuselage train came through the yard. I decided to give that a chase instead.
20 - One of the 737 fuselages on its flatcar. 21 - Approaching the station of Wye where the MRL line splits. ![]() ![]() ![]() Date: 11/30/24 12:31 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: zephyrus 22 - The train continued on the 4th Sub toward Superior and St. Regis. Here it is along the appropriately named Roller Coaster Road.
23 - Another look at the fuselages. I had hopes of chasing this train all the way to Thompson Falls, my next stop for the night, but that sucker was MOVING and I never caught up with it. The drive was lovely but no more trains for the rest of the day. Will post most photos later. Z ![]() ![]() Date: 11/30/24 12:39 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: 3rdswitch Some of the sharpest images I have ever seen on the internet. Unfortunate the helpers were all BNSF. I was there one year and four months ago and all helpers were MRL?
JB Date: 11/30/24 12:40 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: oyw Excellent photo essay! Your first angle was a great choice, very eye popping!
Date: 11/30/24 12:54 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: Ritzville Very enjoyable series!!
Larry Date: 11/30/24 20:45 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: jrpoland Excellent series!
Joel Poland Columbus, NE Date: 11/30/24 22:30 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: zephyrus Thank you!
I did catch a couple pure MRL helper sets later in the week. Those photos still coming. Z 3rdswitch Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Some of the sharpest images I have ever seen on > the internet. Unfortunate the helpers were all > BNSF. I was there one year and four months ago and > all helpers were MRL? > JB Date: 12/01/24 06:14 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: santafe199 Outstanding series from my former employer! I worked trains over every mile of MRL trackage between 1987 & 2010. Thanks for the memory pings😄
Posted from iPhone Date: 12/01/24 12:33 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: E25 Really nice work, Z. In spite of the cold weather!
Greg Stadter Phoenix, AZ Date: 12/01/24 12:56 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: zephyrus Thank you to everyone for the comments! Really enjoyed this trip. Glad folks are liking the photos.
A lot more photos coming as I have a few minutes. Z Date: 12/01/24 15:46 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: coach Is the daily train count still the same, or has BNSF run more trains per day over this line now that they own it??
Date: 12/03/24 13:41 Re: Checking out Montana last year - Day 2 Author: ns1000 Very nice..!! Thanks for posting.
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