Late spring snow comes to Essex, while helpers and local units idle overnight.

A unit train of windmill blades rolls West through Essex.

Amtrak #8, The Empire Builder, is running about 10 minutes late as it glides over the spectacular Flathead River bridge near Java East, which is located about four miles east of Essex, Montana.

Izaak Walton Inn`s newest form of accomodation has been lifted into position and is being readied for it`s first guests.

We're at the east end of the Essex snowshed as an eastbound mixed freight stops while the helper engines (BN F9-A 810, F9-B 809 & GP9 1765) are placed in the train down at Essex proper. This is a... (more)

We're just east of the snowshed at Essex as this eastbound mixed freight throttles up after the helper engines have been cut in down at Essex proper. Behind the two U33C's is former Great Northern... (more)

Priority intermodal from Cicero Yard in Chicago works its way through Marias Pass near Blacktail.

An on time Empire Builder crosses the trestle between East and West Java on its way up Marias Pass.

REAL BN green! The rear helpers are in dynamic as a westbound loaded grain train slowly begins its descent down Marias Pass toward Essex. Even in June fresh snow decorates the mountain peaks.

Eight BNSF locomotives rest at Essex. The SD40-2s appear to be helper sets. The units to the far right are for maintenance of way. The push-pull tank train is standing ready to fight fires alon... (more)

SP 4449 crosses Goat Lick trestle. In the moments before 4449's passing, several mountain goats were spotted in the vicinity, perhaps a GN tribute to the passing beast of steam.

The semaphore blade falls at Java East as a westbound BN freight works it way towards Essex and Whitefish. This classic lashup of three builders, a GE U33C, EMD F45 and ALCO C-425 (4259 ex-SP&S 3... (more)

#8 was on-time this September morning as it glided across Sheep Creek trestle behind a pair of GE's.

Westbound Z train heads downgrade behind a matched set of Dash 9's.

Well off the advertised, Amtrak #8 makes an appearance at Java East with an oddball consist that made the day worthwhile.