Passing a small pond filled with recent snowmelt, Montana Rail Link’s night gas local surmounts Evaro Hill at Evaro, Montana, on May 8, 2012.

17,200 ponies from four Montana Rail Link SD70ACe's have crested the 2.2% grade of Mullan Pass at Blossburg, and will now have the task of holding back the Boardman, Oregon bound coal train on the... (more)

Storm light at Pipeline
Montana Rail Link’s night gas local switches tank cars at Thompson Falls (Pipeline), Montana, late in the afternoon of May 5, 2012. After a mostly cloudy and r... (more)

On the afternoon of May 8, 2012, Montana Rail Link's night gas Local is approaching Paradise, Montana, on MRL’s Tenth Subdivision.

Montana Rail Link’s night gas local crosses the Jocko River at Ravalli, Montana, on the afternoon of May 8, 2012.

A MRL business train departs the impressive NP depot in Missoula for a trip to Dixon and back.

The night gas local works up Evaro Hill west of De Smet at dusk. The SDP40 and geeps will be set out at Paradise for local service.

A MRL business train slows down to a crawl so its guests can take in the impressive view from Marent Trestle on Evaro Hill just west of Missoula.

A spotless 4312 handles a MRL business train up the east slope of Evaro Hill (MRL's 10th Sub) just west of De Smet.

A spotless 4312 handles a MRL business train through Arlee as a peak in the distance receives a mix of precipitation.

Behind recently shopped SD70ACe, MRL's business train cuts a fine form around this curve along the 10th Sub over Evaro Hill.

Glinting gas cans
Montana Rail Link’s night gas local finishes switching at Pipeline (Thompson Falls), Montana, on the eve of May 5, 2012.

MRL's office car special heads down the 10th Sub along the Flathead River after diverging from the 4th Sub at Paradise.

MRL's business train makes its return after being offline for a complete refurbishment in the Vancouver, BC area. Freshly shopped 4312 was sent to Canada to bring the cars back. The domes will be ... (more)

Stalked by a black helicopter: MRL's OCS was preceded along its run from New Westminster by a black helicopter, presumably providing security oversight ahead of the train -- and perhaps pro... (more)