Even it appears both trains are heading the same way, but soon the trains will meet in 1/2 mile. This is near Weed on the MRL 3rd Sub. The coal train is working up thru Austin and the many reverse... (more)

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)

This double oil empty is back rolling after slowly making their way thru the yard/siding at Livingston the MRL 2nd Sub. An old EMD white MAC still hangs on helping out. One of these empties is bou... (more)

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

The 2nd empty crude train in a row crosses Java Creek Trestle, climbing the west side of Marias Pass. The engine hood was replaced with an older Heritage II painted one.

The single DPU of empty crude oil U TAOTND0 25 with an uncommon triple unit helper K ESXESX3 18. One of the helper motors is being swapped out and will stay with the oil train to Shelby for fuel ... (more)

Jennings is where the new allignment of the Great Northern split off to bypass Lake Kookanusa.

A westbound BNSF coal train rolls through a curve approaching Rapids, Montana, on Montana rail Link’s Second Subdivision main line west of Laurel on the afternoon of October 17, 2018.

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.

On the afternoon of June 30, 2023, an eastbound Montana Rail Link train rolls over a fill along the Clark Fork between Heron and Noxon, Montana. Powered by a pair of BNSF locomotives, this is a tr... (more)