Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch serves the limestone plant at Townsend, Montana, on the morning of June 30, 2017.

Powered by EMD SD40-2XR No. 257 and EMD SD45 No. 346, an eastbound Montana Rail Link ballast train takes the siding at Townsend, Montana, on the morning of June 26, 2019.

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch, led by EMD GP9 No. 109, is passing the old stock pens and loading chute at Townsend, Montana, on July 3, 2018.

Moments before sunset on October 7, 2020, Montana Rail Link’s Helena local departs Townsend, Montana, after meeting an eastbound BNSF train there, and storms over the Missouri River bound for a ... (more)

With a work train in consist, the local is taking the siding with ex-CRR 3620 leading.

Just before sunset on October 7, 2020, Montana Rail Link’s Helena local accelerates out of Townsend, Montana, after meeting an eastbound BNSF train there, and storms over the Missouri River boun... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch sprints across the Missouri River as it departs Townsend, Montana, on July 3, 2018. During 2017-2019, this “local” out of Helena switched the cement plant a... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch, led by EMD GP9 No. 109, is eastbound as it descends Winston Hill in a hurry, approaching Townsend, Montana, on the morning of July 3, 2018.

Crossing the Missouri River leaving Townsend, Montana, is Montana Rail Link’s LM (Laurel to Missoula) freight led by EMD F45 No. 391 on a clear September 11, 1995.

Burlington Northern grain train G02 passes the cantilever signal at Townsend, Montana, on September 12, 1995. Nicknamed “the first city on the Missouri River”, Townsend sits nearby the souther... (more)

Powered by Montana Rail Link SD70ACe Nos. 4306 and 4400, MRL’s Missoula to Laurel manifest freight rolls past the cantilevered searchlight signal at the west end of siding at Townsend, Montana, ... (more)

Making good time flying down Winston Hill on Montana Rail Link’s Second Subdivision is BNSF’s Portland to Alliance, Texas, Q train west of Townsend, Montana, on June 30, 2017.

BNSF’s Portland to Alliance, Texas, Q train drops downgrade on Winston Hill passing milepost 209 west of Townsend, Montana, on June 30, 2017.

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch arrives at Townsend, Montana, passing the searchlight signals at the west end of the siding there on July 5, 2018, Veteran GP9 No. 109 and SD40-2XR No. 262 lead... (more)

The weather is deteriorating conveying the coming of winter on Montana Rail Link’s Winston Hill. Low clouds partially obscuring the Elkhorn Mountains as a BNSF grain empty rolls downgrade near m... (more)