A pair of MRL EMDs sit at the ballast quarry in Pipestone waiting for a cut of ballast hoppers to be loaded.

While Park City, MT might not be the first place that comes to mind for fall colors, there was some decent color still hanging on as a set of Transfer Power drags an LM out to stage for power. Wit... (more)

With 111 cars on the drawbar, two SD40-2XR's powering a road freight in 2017 are fairly uncommon on the MRL. With the arrival of the 4400 series ACe's, SD40's are now primarily used in yard switch... (more)

Three of MRLs fine second generation EMDs (along with a BNSF SD70MAC) struggle up the 2.2% grade on the east side of Mullan Pass.

While the "Black Fog of Blossburg" isn't as impressive as it once was, the sight of blue SD40s leading anything over the Continental Divide west of Helena makes for an awe inspiring sigh... (more)

While the "Black Fog of Blossburg" isn't as impressive as it once was, the sight of blue SD40s leading anything over the Continental Divide west of Helena makes for an awe inspiring sigh... (more)

Three MRL SD40-2XRs lead the BNSF's LAUPAS as the train fights the east side of Mullan Pass just east of Austin. Word has spread that this may be the last trip on this specific freight for the 40s... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s 840 local departs Logan, Montana, for a trip to Three Forks and Sappington on MRL’s Fifth Subdivision on September 12, 2011. The train is powered by a matching pair of SD40... (more)

A westbound Montana Rail Link ballast train slowly moves past maintenance-of-way forces working on track at Lombard, Montana, on June 20, 2014. The train is powered by two rebuilt SD40s that MRL l... (more)

Montana Rail Link SD40-2XR No. 259 powers a “Jimbo” work train that has cleared for a westbound freight in Skyline siding on the east slope of Mullan Pass in Montana on June 29, 2016. No. 259 ... (more)

Another shot from my short chase of the MRL duo that recently visited Minnesota. After getting my shot with the barn, since they were routed ... (more)

No, it's not the "2nd most photographed barn in Montana" found along the Montana Rail Link east of Missoula, but can you blame me for wanting to capture this visiting pair of MRL SD40-2X... (more)

Montana Rail Link EMD SD40-2XR (rebuilt SD40) No. 265 has work performed in the railroad’s shops in Livingston, Montana, on May 7, 2012. Also in the shops that day on the right are SD35 No. 705 ... (more)

A Montana Rail Link work train is westbound in the Jefferson River Canyon between Sappington and Whitehall, Montana, on June 26, 2016. Two MRL SD40s (rebuilt and labeled SD40-2XRs) Nos. 257 and 26... (more)

A westbound Montana Rail Link work train powered by SD40-2XR No. 259 nicely fits on the bridge over the Clark Fork at aptly-named Clark Fork, Idaho.