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Western Railroad Discussion > Checking out Montana last year - Days 1 and 2


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Date: 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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