On the afternoon of June 29, 2017, a westbound BNSF manifest freight climbs the 2.2 percent grade of Mullan Pass approaching Austin, Montana.
Fourteen locomotives head back to Helena, Montana, as a light engine movement on the afternoon of February 6, 1997. Two 4-unit helper sets, a 2-unit point helper and a set of four BNSF locomotives... (more)
Fresh from the factory UP8031 digs into the 10 degree curves of the Austin Loops on the 2.2% battle for Mullan Pass. The rail was still wet from a passing storm, and sounds of slipping wheels, R... (more)
After a few days in Sturgis it was time to get back to railroading. I camped beneath a cottonwood tree beside the tracks and watched the passing of trains through the night - some with five unit s... (more)
A colorful locomotive consist leads BNSF HPASKCK dropping downgrade on Mullan Pass approaching the west siding switch at Austin, Montana, on September 12, 2010. BNSF warbonnet C44-9W No. 729 leads... (more)
A Burlington Northern grain train climbs Mullan Pass west of Helena, Montana, on August 28, 1993. BN GE C30-7 No. 5022 leads a sister C30-7 and two EMD SD40-2s on the head end, while a four-unit m... (more)
Filthy! A Montana Rail Link helper set led by brand-new EMD SD70ACe No. 4305 coasts through Austin, Montana, heading eastbound back to Helena after helping a train up Mullan Pass. The s... (more)
Montana Rail Link’s former Northern Pacific route over Mullan Pass west of Helena, Montana, features a series of amazing curves to climb the eastern grade of the pass. In the foreground, a westbou... (more)
Burlington Northern train 123 climbs the steep grade of Mullan Pass with all-Montana Rail Link power as it works through the curves above Austin, Montana, on August 28, 1993. Up front, MRL SD45 No... (more)
A westbound BNSF grain train works up the 2.2 percent grade of Mullan Pass as the train wraps through two huge horseshoe curves in the climb out of Austin, Montana, on October 16, 2018. The head e... (more)
The second of two trains in a row to depart Helena headed west over Mullan Pass pours it on along Austin Road.
BNSF 1078 rounds the first great loop at Austin, Montana with a heavy grain load. BNSF 1058 wears the BNSF paint scheme inspired by the Great Northern. I always thought BNSF got the paint rite the... (more)
