A BNSF helper set consisting of two SD40-2s slowly backs toward a resting spot in the yard past the Izaak Walton Inn at Essex, Montana, on December 23, 2007. The Great Northern-inspired livery sur... (more)

During the blue hour on the eve of December 26, 2007, two BNSF helper sets sit and a spreader train sit quietly in the falling snow at Essex, Montana. Snow has pretty much buried Essex yard!

High winds blow snow everywhere on the eastern edge of Glacier National Park as an eastbound BNSF stack/auto rack train struggles through Grizzly, Montana, on December 22, 2007.

Minutes prior to entering into the Land of Enchantment, Phase III Heritage #145 leads Amtrak's Southwest Chief as it negotiates the Wootton Curve on a beautifully crisp late December afternoon.

Amtrak’s westbound California Zephyr cruises through the snow at Crescent, Colorado, on December 22, 2006.

Christmas night at Essex
Two BNSF helper sets rest quietly at Essex, Montana, on December 25, 2007. No trains needing a push up Marias Pass this day means at least some railroaders are ... (more)

While Amtrak makes it station stop at Essex, Montana, on a snowy December 26, 2007, a intermodal train is stopped on the adjoining main line, while a ballast regulator plows the yard lead as far a... (more)

Amtrak ran their annual Leavenworth Snow Train on Saturdays in December. The final installment is about 3 miles west of Leavenworth kicking up a fresh blanket of snow. A former California Zephyr d... (more)

Amtrak ran their annual Leavenworth Snow Train on Saturdays in December. The final installment is about 3 miles west of Leavenworth kicking up a fresh blanket of snow. In addition to Horizon and A... (more)

After crossing a snowy Marias Pass, Amtrak’s eastbound Empire Builder curves through Grizzly, Montana, on a cold December 22, 1998.

After bending a switch, a member of the crew on a BNSF helper set climbs aboard EMD SD40-2 No. 8050 at Essex, Montana, on a snowy December 23, 2007.

In extreme blizzard conditions, an eastbound BNSF stack train leaves the mountains of Glacier National Park behind as it fights a crosswind coming through Grizzly, Montana, on December 22, 2007.

A BNSF spreader train arrives at the yard at Essex, Montana, on a snowy December 26, 2007.

Lighting up in the low December sun, Amtrak’s eastbound Empire Builder crosses Two Medicine Bridge at East Glacier, Montana. Three Amtrak GE P40DCs power the train, all in different schemes. Lea... (more)

Two sets of BNSF helpers rest in the yard at Essex, Montana, on a snowy December 24, 2007. These three EMD SD40-2s visible are all closely related—Nos. 6819, 6818 and 6817—all former Burlingto... (more)