The Gas: Montana Rail Link SDP40-2XR No. 290 leads the Day Gas near Perma, Mont. on the afternoon of April 19, 2014. The engine is MRL's only SDP40-2 and was built in 1966 for the Great Nor... (more)

A crew member is framed between the signals protecting the junction of MRL's 10th and 4th Subdivisions as he uncouples 290 from the Paradise Local's GP9s. The former GN SDP40 would be used on a wo... (more)

A former Great Northern SDP40 hustles a work train through nice fall colors en route to Missoula.

Montana Rail Link’s gas local blows snow onto a frozen Flathead River just east of Paradise, Montana, on February 9, 2014. Leading the train through the frigid landscape is MRL No. 290, former G... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s Gas Local storms eastbound through Weeksville, Montana, on February 9, 2014, with three vintage EMDs powering the 30-car train. Lead locomotive is MRL 290, a former Great Nor... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s Gas Local creates its own snowstorm as it thunders eastbound through Weeksville, Montana, on February 9, 2014. Heading up the 30-car local this cold day is venerable SDP40 (r... (more)

Under some fleeting and golden afternoon sunshine, Montana Rail Link SDP40 No. 290 pulls an eastbound work train on the lead into Thompson River Lumber at Woodlin (just east of Thompson Falls), Mo... (more)

Can't beat this power for a work extra as a former GN SDP40 hustles its train west with a hint of fall color along the river.

This former GN SDP40 rolls west with a work train along the ex-NP in western Montana between Noxon and Heron.

Montana Rail Link EMD SDP40 No. 290 hauls a short work train of track equipment westbound across the fill at Frog Pond west of Trout Creek, Montana, on October 2, 2013. MRL No. 290 is a rare bird;... (more)

MRL 290, the lone SDP40 on the roster, sits by the roundhouse on a cool Winter evening. 290 would trail to Livingston on the "ML" where it'll receive traction motor work.

MRL's only SDP40 still on the roster rolls West on the ex-NP Homestake Pass with a short MOW train in tow.

MRL SD40-2XR still retains it's as built SDP40 appearance. Not bad.

The only SDP40-2XR on MRL's roster dumps ballast at the sight of a recent derailment at Jens, MT. Once it completes its work here, the train will continue towards Garrison to pick up old ties from... (more)

45. The only train I will see on the Montana Rail Link on my 138 mile drive along MRL tracks on day 3 until I get to the Missoula yard. I did see a bunch of signs warning of mountain sheep and lon... (more)