Heading west out of Helena and beginning to assault the grade leading to Mullan Pass....
Just starting to drop down the grade into Helena, the power is over the top but the bulk of the train is still in the Mullan Tunnel and on the uphill side of the pass.
Helpers were added at Garrison for the run up to Mullan Pass.
Momentarily, the Laurel-Pasco job will meet a train at Garrison, about five miles ahead.
Rolling down the west slope of Mullan Pass.
West portal of the Mullan Tunnel, summit of the pass.
Westbound on the MRL, heading up Mullan Pass, east of the east switch at Austin, Montana.
Nice engine number! Train is westbound, a few miles from Laurel on MRL.
A brief chase from Huntley (see photo 90552) and I've got him! BNSF 7166 rolling by the Billings depot.
The train is just a mile or so on to MRL tracks, but already there's a bad omen...this train was slowing and on double track...sure enough a couple of minutes later, BNSF 7166 ran westward on the ... (more)
On MRL and headed eastbound, the train is just 100 yards or so from the junction with BNSF's Big Horn Sub (to Sheridan, WY).
After switching a customer in West Point, the train heads south again for the final run to the yard at Artesia. Old station is the building on the right.
Brakie and conductor jump off the Aberdeen Turn to pick up some hopper cars.
After switching a chemical plant in Aberdeen, this rare (so I am told) Sunday daylight train heads south towards Artesia, MS.
