Three Montana Rail Link EMD SD40-2XRs (rebuilt SD40s), Nos. 251, 253 and 255, power BNSF’s freight between Spokane and Laurel as it begins its descent of Winston Hill at Winston, Montana, on July ... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch works upgrade into Winston, Montana, on the morning of July 5, 2018. This is the “local” out of Helena that switches the cement plant and RY Timber at Townsend is... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch zips over Winston Hill between Louisville and Winston, Montana, on the morning of June 30, 2017. The short two-car local is headed for the lime plant at Townsend ... (more)

A trio of Montana Rail Link SD40s (rebuilt and labeled SD40-2XR) power a westbound freight up Winston Hill east of Winston, Montana, on the morning of July 2, 2018.

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch meets MRL’s Laurel to Missoula manifest freight (MLAUMIS) at Winston, Montana, on the morning of July 3, 2018.

After finishing up switching at the cement plant at Townsend, Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch heads for home on the morning of October 17, 2018. At this late date, it is pretty rare to see a loc... (more)

In a brilliant sunrise on July 7, 2018, a westbound BNSF grain train slowly grinds up Winston Hill approaching milepost 214 east of the top of the grade at Winston, Montana.

The sun is just about to set on July 4, 2018, over Winston Hill in Montana. A westbound BNSF unit oil train grinds upgrade through the curves at milepost 214 on MRL’s Second Subdivision, while a B... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch descends Winston Hill passing milepost 216 east of Winston, Montana, heading for some work at Townsend on the morning of July 5, 2018.

Climbing the grade over the wide open spaces of Winston Hill in Montana is Montana Rail Link’s westbound Laurel to Missoula freight powered by a pair of EMD SD70ACes. Big Sky Country indeed.

With the sun setting to the west, so too was the sun setting on the MRL 382. Finishing what was to be its final run on the local out of Helena, MRL 382 was sent to Livingston the next day, seeming... (more)

An eastbound BNSF grain train has just topped Winston Hill at milepost 216 on Montana Rail Link’s Second Subdivision and is departing Winston, Montana, on July 6, 2018.

On the afternoon of July 6, 2018, a BNSF coal train led by GE ES44AC No. 6236 pounds up Winston Hill passing milepost 215 east of Winston, Montana. In parts of Big Sky Country, ample spring moistu... (more)

Three Montana Rail Link EMD SD40-2XRs (rebuilt SD40s), Nos. 251, 253 and 255, power BNSF’s freight between Spokane and Laurel as it tops Winston Hill at Winston, Montana, on July 6, 2018.

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch is eastbound at Winston , Montana, on the morning of July 3, 2018. With the abolishment of the Helena local, industries from Helena to Logan are now switched by L... (more)