A setting sun peeks through the clouds long enough to illuminate a westbound BNSF grain train climbing out of Austin on Montana Rail Link’s main line over Mullan Pass on June 28, 2022.
Daytime work windows for Montana Rail Link track gangs have made Mullan Pass west of Helena, Montana, a busy place late in the afternoon, as trains waiting out the curfew begin to move. As a westb... (more)
A westbound BNSF coal train climbing Mullan Pass west of Helena, Montana, is about to meet an eastbound BNSF freight at the siding of Austin very late in the afternoon of June 29, 2021. Both train... (more)
A quartet of Montana Rail Link EMD SD70ACe being used as a manned helper for trains climbing Mullan Pass out of Helena, Montana, heads back to town at Austin after helping a train up the pass on t... (more)
All the westbound BNSF heavies have been pushed up Mullan Pass at night into first light before a long work window begins west of Helena, Montana, on July 7, 2022. The last Montana Rail Link helpe... (more)
Manifest LM crosses Skyline Trestle on the way to the summit of Mullan Pass.
I haven't been to the MRL since 2000. I was surprised how much work they did to add double track thru the Austin area. Now trains can meet/pass on a 21,000 foot siding/double track section. The ol... (more)
A barn and another outbuilding are still standing at an abandoned homestead and ranch that was once part of a tiny community known as Weed, located above Austin, Montana. Weed is still a place nam... (more)
Coal empties for the Spring Creek Mine descend Mullan Pass on MRL's 3rd Sub.
Forest fire smoke fills the air as Helena's Helper #2 crew heads back home after assisting a loaded train over Mullan Pass. They picked up Helper #1's power who outlawed at Elliston earlier in the... (more)
Helena's Helper #2 crew shoves on the tailend of the M LAUMIS1 15 assisting them up the ruling grade of Mullan Pass.
A quartet of MRL SD70ACes shove the LM up Mullan Pass at East Austin.
A quartet of MRL SD70ACes help the LM get over Mullan Pass.
Missoula-Laurel mixed freight departs the east switch at Austin behind a quartet of MRL SD70ACes.
MRL 4310 leads the ML down the east side of Mullan Pass.