BNSF 2863, a bluebonnet Santa Fe GP39-2 is seen doing a brake test before departing back for Logan.

The gates to Harrison
Montana Rail Link’s 9.5-mile branch to Harrison out of Sappington was a bit like stepping into a railroad time warp. Jointed rail winding through idyllic ranch co... (more)

Switching the Harrison Elevator Co. is Montana Rail Link’s 844 local, and it is almost at the end-of-track on the branch as it noses across the U.S. Highway 287 grade crossing at Harrison, Monta... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s 844 local makes its weekly trip up the Harrison branch with four covered hoppers for Harrison Elevator Co. on October 10, 2023. The train is powered by MRL EMD GP35 Nos. 404 ... (more)

On October 10, 2023, Montana Rail Link’s 844 local proceeds downgrade between mileposts 7 and 8 north of Harrison, Montana, with seven cars of grain from the Harrison Elevator Co. Leading the tr... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s 844 local switches cars at the Harrison Elevator Co. at the end of the railroad’s Harrison branch on October 10, 2023.

Montana Rail Link’s 844 local crosses a trestle on the steep 2.2% mountain grade on the Harrison branch just beyond milepost 6 after departing Harrison, Montana, on June 27, 2023. The local, pow... (more)

Red Bluff & Pony This branch line constructed by the Butte Short Line, was built to haul precious metals out of mines near Pony and Red Bluff. Like many western railroad/mining ventures th... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s 844 local drops down a 2.2 percent grade leaving Harrison, Montana, on June 27, 2023. This local generally serves the grain elevator at Harrison once a week on Tuesdays.

Montana Rail Link EMD GP35 No. 404 heads up the Harrison branch light engine to retrieve a pair of empty fertilizer cars at the Harrison Elevator on June 27, 2023. To the southwest in the backgrou... (more)

Montana Rail Link's Logan local makes the once weekly run to Harrison, MT to work the single customer in town.

Montana Rail Link's Logan local makes the once weekly return trip from Harrison, MT back to the junction at Sappington.

Montana Rail Link’s 844 local has just made a trip up the branch to Harrison, and is now dropping down a 2.2% mountain grade toward the Six Subdivision junction at Sappington, in a vast Montana ... (more)

The conductor minds the first of two cattle gates that the Harrison local negotiates as it approaches it's namesake destination. A wintry mix approaches from the mountains.

Slowly reentering civilization, the Logan Local claws up the 2.2% grade as it crosses over the first of two ancient wooden trestles on the last part of the trip to Harrison. Note the "repairs... (more)