It is pretty crazy how filthy the Helena Helpers get by shoving thru the Mullan Tunnel. The tunnel was originally built in 1883 at 3879' long. 400 feet at the west end was taken out as a part of a... (more)

We made a big family vacation to Yellowstone in June. The boys hope to see the MRL for the 1st time before it is gone. I figured the Bozeman Turn was a good bet to try and get the 1 evening we had... (more)

With a 16:00 departure from Laurel, this Laurel to Bozeman local is pretty popular chase on the MRL 2nd Sub. Back in May 2002 the job has a green signal at West Rapids so the engineer pours on the... (more)

With a 16:00 departure from Laurel, this Laurel to Bozeman local is pretty popular chase on the MRL 2nd Sub. Back in May 2002 the job pokes along following a grain train west, while meeting a few ... (more)

The clouds have broken up, and the suns out just in time for MRLs LAUMIS at Manhattan with a matching pair of SD70ACe.

It doesn't get much better than a pair of SD40's passing the fall colors of a grove of Cottonwood trees along the Yellowstone River. It had been over 20 years since I'd done anything with MRL, bu... (more)

"Passing Pipestone on Pipestone Pass" An MRL ballast train shoves up Pipestone Pass to Conda Mining, with the engines passing under an outcropping of pipestone.

The Bozeman local returns to it's home, but will first take the siding to work a lumber reload, passing under a soon to be replaced Northern Pacific RR cantilever signal.

Montana Rail Link’s 840 local, the Helena local, returns from the cement plant at Montana City and is approaching East Helena, Montana on July 7, 2022. MRL EMD SD45 No. 355 and EMD GP9 No. 109 a... (more)

Montana Rail Link EMD GP9 Nos. 127 and 109 switch their train at Thompson Falls, Montana, before heading back home to Paradise on January 24, 2013.

Montana Rail Link’s 844 local has just made a run up to Harrison to pick up a pair of empty fertilizer cars from the Harrison Elevator and is now at Sappington, Montana, on June 27, 2023. The co... (more)

An eastbound BNSF grain train passes by on the main line while Montana Rail Link’s Helena local prepares to pick up a BNSF SD70ACe off the house track at Lombard, Montana, very late in the day o... (more)

Grain loads working up the grade to Muir, taking the route out of the yard around another train with motor issues.

Grain loads working up the grade to Muir.

With helpers up front, the "LM" arrives in Helena, where they will work the yard & head into Missoula.