MRL SD45-2 310, the oddball (Slide Scan)

On a gorgeous summer day, two true SD45's lug the local west.

For many years, Montana Rail link 840 local, also known as the Helena local, has been mostly powered by a pair of rebuilt SD40s (SD40-2XRs) that was sought out as a photographic subject in scenic ... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s gas local leans into a curve along the Clark Fork at Weeksville, Montana, on September 24, 2007.

The duo starts up the steep grade out of Livingston as another merchandise train pull up beside them.

MRL 254 leads a BNSF tank train northbound on the Twin Peaks sub, just north of Branson, CO, on Sept 22, 2003.

Rebuilds under a Big Sky
A trio of unique Montana Rail Link locomotives with a westbound freight climbs out of Helena at Tobin, Montana, heading for the 2.2% grades of Mullan Pass on the... (more)

With 28 cars well in tow, the dynamic duo swing around the curves at Springdale with a good run in store.

Ripping through the bluffs along the Yellowstone River, this rare duo was doing every bit of track speed and broadcasted their arrival well before they came into sight.

In the middle of their climb up the steep pass, 40 cylinders of original EMD hit notch 8 as as they approached the crossing and words fail to adequately describe the experience.

Switching Montana City
The crew of Montana Rail Link GP9 No. 109 and SD40-2XR No. 262 make quick work of switching the Ash Grove Cement plant at Montana City, Montana, on the afternoon ... (more)

40 cylinders grind it out into the setting sun as they approach Livingston.

Hearing all 40 cylinders wound up to get this train to track speed along a rising Yellowstone River was a wonderful sound... a rare sight in 2019!

Three Montana Rail Link EMD SD40-2XRs (rebuilt SD40s), Nos. 251, 253 and 255, power BNSF’s freight between Spokane and Laurel as it begins its descent of Winston Hill at Winston, Montana, on Jul... (more)

A rain storm has just cleared at Montana Rail Link’s “roundhouse” at Helena yard on October 8, 2005. Just off the turntable, EMD F45 No. 392 faces new SD70ACe No. 4300 in the last sun rays o... (more)