Manifest LM crosses Skyline Trestle on the way to the summit of Mullan Pass.

Local returning from Livingston.

Reaching the top of their assist with a loaded coal train and falling snow.

Ice is thick enough on this part of the Clark Fork as a couple of guys try there luck ice fishing, including a warming tent for set up for comfort. Not far away on the causeway just west of Trout ... (more)

An eastbound Montana Rail Link helper set of the usual four EMD SD70ACes, drops downgrade out of Weed, Montana, and through Iron Ridge cut on MRL’s main line over Mullan Pass on June 29, 2022. T... (more)

After the passage of a thunderstorm, it’s still raining as a westbound BNSF unit oil train climbs the 2.2 percent grade up Mullan Pass between Austin and Weed, Montana, on the afternoon of July ... (more)

Winston Hill is a great spot to watch storms form over the mountains and move about. A perfectly sunny day gave way to thick clouds later in the afternoon. As much as I wanted sun, I think this tu... (more)

With a new crew aboard, an eastbound Burlington Northern freight is about to depart Whitefish, Montana, amid a light snowfall on March 2, 1989.

Into the storm
With four cars for Helena Yard, Montana Rail Link’s Helena local climbs Winston Hill past milepost 215 and toward some stormy weather east of Winston Montana, on the af... (more)

It’s 10:05 p.m. as an eastbound BNSF unit train slinks its way through Lombard Canyon and past illuminated Toston Dam between Toston and Lombard, Montana. Even at this late hour, the pretty suns... (more)

Changing engineers in downtown Shelby Montana

Helpers and local power include the famous SD45 #355, facing east, which is used on the 840 local.

LM is working its way towards Helena. The lead motor keeps shutting down so the train will be tied down in Townsend to await helpers. This locomotive was originally built as a 4308 for BHP. Cam... (more)

A helper set ran to Logan with a westbound train in order to drop off a motor swap with the local crew then assist a heavy eastbound back, taking with it the ailing motor from Logan. This is one ... (more)

Helpers are about to the top of their run up the mountain grade assisting coal loads west.