I haven't been to the MRL since 2000. I was surprised how much work they did to add double track thru the Austin area. Now trains can meet/pass on a 21,000 foot siding/double track section. The old siding here was 9700 feet at one time.
With the 2.2% grade and tunnel over Mullan Pass, numerous timetable restrictions apply. Here any westbound unit trains over 12,000 tons must have helper cut-in the train and assist to Elliston. 4 SD70Aces assist this Vancouver bound grain train over the 17 mile climb to Blossburg. The train twist and turns with almost 30,000 horses giving it their all to fight gravity.
