Western Railroad Discussion > Skyline Trestle, Montana Rail Link

A westbound loaded crude oil train assaults Mullan Pass in Montana on Montana Rail Link, with BNSF power & DPU and MRL Helena-based manned helpers.   The bridge is usually referred to as Skyline Trestle, also known as Austin Creek Trestle or Viaduct.  The top of the grade is near where the head-end power is in the 4th and 6th photos.  All photos, coming and going, were taken from the exact same drone location.  6/22/22. 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/22 14:10 by billmeeker.

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Final three.  Enjoy.

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Wow,that 1st photo really gives perspective!

Posted from Android

Superb use of your drone!  You used that to its greatest effect with this series.

Jerry
ATSF5669

Great shots!

 I don't believe that BNSF is running double WB unit crude trains. What you saw were manned mid train helpers.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/22 12:36 by WJEX.

WJEX Wrote:
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>  I don't believe that BNSF is running double WB
> unit crude trains. What you saw were manned mid
> train helpers.

This is correct, this train is a "regular" sized oil train, not a double (with mid-train manned helpers for the 2.2% grade).

wyeth Wrote:
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> WJEX Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >  I don't believe that BNSF is running double
> WB
> > unit crude trains. What you saw were manned mid
> > train helpers.
>
> This is correct, this train is a "regular" sized
> oil train, not a double (with mid-train manned
> helpers for the 2.2% grade).

Thanks for the correction.  Four buffer cars led me to believe it was two combined trains.  They must use the extra set of buffer cars for the midtrain helpers.

billmeeker Wrote:
>> Four buffer cars led me to believe it was two combined trains. They must use the extra set of buffer cars for the midtrain helpers.>>

This is corrent. They add the buffers at Laurel and remove them in Missoula. 

Dave in MT

Great images! Another correction is the top of the grade is really on the west end of the tunnel near the east switch of Blossberg siding.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

funnelfan Wrote:
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> Great images!

Thanks!

Another correction is the top of the
> grade is really on the west end of the tunnel near
> the east switch of Blossberg siding.

Which, is approximately where the head-end power is in the last photo.  The tunnel is just around the curve.

Yeah, I know its shot right into the sun, but that angle on photo #1 really speaks to me.  I hadn't noticed that the line cuts through two big dipping beds on its way up the hill.  Learn something new every day!  Thanks for posting.

Hope to be there shortly after the 4th.

I'll pass over the technicalities, great shots in the wilderness not easily available prior to today's drones. Nice post, thanks!
Go

Beautiful shots, thanks for the memories! From 1968 to 1972 lived right over the ridge from there and my son and I spent a lot of time on the pass. He still remembers us catching the Mainstreeter running through there.

Posted from iPhone

Great stuff, love the unique perspective!

Posted from iPhone

Man, these are excellent drone photos. Congratulations on your IOTD.
John

Thank you for sharing, superb images. 

Mike ONeill
Parker, CO

Great stuff here. Thanks for sharing. I am really going to miss the MRL. 

Frank

NIICE..!!