Under a big Montana sky
An eastbound BNSF unit oil train passes milepost 214 as it descends Winston Hill east of Winston, Montana, late in the afternoon of July 2, 2018.

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch has almost reached the top of Winston Hill at Winston, Montana, as its returns back to Helena on June 30, 2017. Led by freshly-repainted EMD SD40-2XR (rebuilt SD4... (more)

Cresting the top of Montana’s Winston Hill on Montana Rail Link’s Second Subdivision east of Helena is a westbound BNSF coal train on the afternoon of July 2, 2018.

The local turn to Townsend, MT from Helena returns from Townsend, climbing Winston Hill near the top, powered by SD45 346 and a GP9.

An eastbound BNSF coal empty cruises down Winston Hill past milepost 214 on Montana Rail Link’s Second Subdivision east of Winston, Montana, on July 2, 2018.

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch descends Winston Hill just east of Winston, Montana, on July 1, 2019. Powering the local with cars for RY Timber and the cement plant in Townsend is MRL GP9 No. 1... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch dashes over Winston Hill just east of Winston into a darkening evening in Montana at 9:15 p.m. on June 25, 2019. Powering the short local with two cars for the ce... (more)

After topping Winston Hill, an eastbound BNSF empty coal train rolls downgrade through the curves past milepost 216 at Winston, Montana, on the afternoon of June 25, 2019.

The sun has set as the “blue hour” settles over Winston Hill in Montana on September 25, 2007. Slowly, a westbound grain train approaches up the grade as an eastbound train waits patiently in the ... (more)

A BNSF freight led by Dash 9 No. 5076 climbs Winston Hill passing milepost 215 east of Winston, Montana, on July 4, 2018. Ample spring moisture provided some locations with wildflowers, like these... (more)

A westbound BNSF grain train led by EMD SD70ACe No. 9149 climbs Montana Rail Link’s route over Winston Hill just east of Winston, Montana, on June 25, 2019.

Snaking through the curves after topping Winston Hill, a BNSF grain train heads east past milepost 216 at Winston, Montana, on June 25, 2019.

Powered by Montana Rail Link GP9 No. 109 and SD40-2 No. 250, MRL’s Helena switch zips over Winston Hill with two cars for the cement plant in Townsend following a BNSF coal train into the darkenin... (more)

A fairly clean SD70Ace BNSF8468 leads a westbound coal load up the 1%+ grade of Winston Hill. The coal train is destined for the Super Port of Robert's Bank, BC. The port is one of the only in No... (more)

Waiting for apposing traffic, an eastbound BNSF coal train sits in the siding at Winston, Montana, in the background as a westbound BNSF manifest freight grinds by, filling the curves on the appro... (more)