Consecutively numbered elephant style 40's dig in as they slide through the bluffs near Columbus. Certainly a nice sight considering all 4 new ACe's are on property at this point.

Montana Rail Link’s train No. 840, the Helena local, heads into Lombard, Montana, on the afternoon of June 19, 2014, powered by a matching set of EMD SD40-2XRs (rebuilt SD40s), Nos. 262 and 263.

Somebody’s gonna have to move…
Maintenance-of-way is done for the day and tucked into the short house track. Now the bunched-up traffic is moving again in Montana’s Lombard Canyon... (more)

If a locomotive could enjoy the weather
Instead of polishing the rails in a frigid Big Sky Country winter, Montana Rail Link EMD SD40-2XR No. 262 soaks up the California sunshine as par... (more)

MRL's 840 local from Helena heads toward Logan to swap cars with the 844 local, seen here from the bluffs above the Missouri River near Clarkston.

A pair of MRL SD40-2Rs still in the original scheme pull the 840 local down to Logan for interchange with other MRL jobs, seen here departing Clarkston.

Heading east through scenic Lombard Canyon is Montana Rail Link 840, the Helena local, headed for some switching at Trident late on the afternoon of June 15, 2014.

Montana Rail Link’s Helena local meets a westbound BNSF coal train at Clarkston, Montana, on October 1, 2013. MRL SD40s (Rebuilt by MRL and labeled SD40-2XR) Nos. 262 and 253 power the local.

A pair of rebuilt SD40s ease the 840 local into Logan, where after exchanging cars with the 844 local, will return back to Helena to tie up for the night.

MRL's Helena to Logan local glides East through Lombard Canyon, with 645's echoing off the walls formed centuries ago by the Missouri River.

Eastbound local out of Helena makes a quick switch during a hail storm on the north side of Townsend.

The Helena - Logan turn heads east at the east siding switch Winston under threatening skies.

Montana Rail Link’s Helena local passes the tranquil waters of the Missouri River in Lombard Canyon approaching Lombard, Montana, on the afternoon of June 15, 2014. A matching pair of rebuilt SD... (more)

MRL's "LM" climbs Bozeman with 4 EMD's on the headend and another 3 pushing on the rear.

For most of the previous day myself and three railfan buddies made the long journey from the upper Midwest to Laurel Montana. With information that the LM has departed Laurel with three venerable ... (more)