The Greatness of Essex, Montana. Two helper sets idling away waiting for their next job. Then some local power with white face BN 2889 in the background.

A Northtown-Pasco manifest rolls through Essex.

With no trains to push over Marias Pass, two BNSF helper sets rest in the yard at Essex, Montana, on Christmas night in 2007. Merry Christmas everyone!

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)

The Eastbound Empire Builder heads across Goat Lick Trestle towards Marias Pass. This area attracts big horn sheep and its easy to understand why they were featured as the logo for the Great North... (more)

Although it has been heavily photographed, the former ATSF F45 is still worth another look, especially after a summer afternoon rain shower.

A BN rotary snow plow rests for the summer in the small yard at Essex MT.

The eastbound Empire Builder soars over the Middle Fork of the Flathead River and Java Creek on the large bridge east of Essex as it climbs through the Rockies on a pristine summer morning.

BNSF grain empties from Seattle (Interbay), WA to Clarkfield, MN head east through Essex, MT.

Amtrak #7, The Empire Builder, departs Essex, MT after a brief stop at the platform.

The Empire Builder slows for its station stop at Essex, MT on a gloomy morning in the Rocky Mountains.

Two trains meet at Essex, Mt as viewed from the pedestrian bridge built over the tracks

A trio of manned helper sets utilizing EMD SD40-2s and used in pushing Burlington Northern trains over Marias Pass, rest in the BN yard at Essex, Montana, on the cold and snowy day of March 4, 198... (more)

A BNSF train crosses Sheep Creek as snow falls over Marias Pass. The train will soon pass through Essex, Mt as it continues its trip across the Rocky Mountains