MRL helpers make a perfect quartet as they descend down Mullan Pass and back to Helena. This set is in a prefect original color scheme, and fairly clean. Even though they are frequently washed, th... (more)

Near perfect weather greets Dash 9s 736 and 786 as they lift a manifest freight up Mullan Pass at Skyline trestle with the help of a quartet of Montana Rail Link SD70ACes on the rear. This was my ... (more)

A westbound BNSF coal train digs into the Austin Loops on Mullan Pass. The grade here is a compensated 2.2% and the many curves bring the train down to a crawl as the monster passes the new Austi... (more)

Montana Rail Link's Laurel-Missoula manifest prepares to switch out a few cars in the yard at Helena.

Various MRL power idles at the west end of the shops in Helena, MT. From left to right: Unassigned MRL SD40-2XR 256, Helper #3 with MRL SD70ACes 4305, 4301, 4307 and 4311 and GP9 109. The helper s... (more)

MRL's Laurel-Missoula "LM" manifest sits quietly in the yard at Helena waiting for a crew, just as the sun begins to rise. Unfortunately they would sit here for most of the day.

The power for MRL's 840 local which runs from Helena to Logan Monday to Friday has the day off and is seen idling near the shops in Helena.

An immaculate MRL SD45 and bigger sister SD70ACe idle east of the shops in Helena.

MRL's Laurel-Missoula manifest performs some yard work in Helena prior to departure for Missoula.

BNSF 9287 leads a train which is parked up at the east side of Helena.MT, as BNSF 4045 is slowly heading a westbound into town.

The crew for the afternoon's westbound Laurel to Missoula manifest heads down the lead to their awaiting train just minutes after a pre-summer thunderstorm soaked the area.

Helena yard power is setting over a centerbeam flat loaded with ties while big ACe helper power lays over at the engine terminal.

This nose view of engine 1382 creates a sense of geometric concentric circles as the old NP S-4 stands guard over Montana Rail Link operations outside the Helena, MT station.

A westbound unit ballast train climbs out of Helena into the setting sun. The engineer shades his face in order to see the track ahead. A brace of MRL helpers shove hard on the rear as the train ... (more)

MRL 4400 is on the point of westbound freight LM-Laural to Missoula, as it pauses at Helena.