Under a big sky full of rainy clouds, Montana Rail Link’s Helena local climbs Winston Hill as heads westbound for home approaching Winston, Montana, on the afternoon of June 30, 2020.

Descending Winston Hill into the darkening dusk of evening at 9:15 p.m. on June 25, 2019, and overpowered by Montana Rail Link GP9 No. 109 and SD40-2 No. 250, MRL’s Helena switch flies over the ... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s 840 local, the Helena local operates out of Helena on weekdays and serves the cement plants at Montana City and Townsend. On June 25, 2020, MRL GP9 No. 109 and SD40-2XR No. 2... (more)

Just before sunset on October 7, 2020, Montana Rail Link’s Helena local accelerates out of Townsend, Montana, after meeting an eastbound BNSF train there, and storms over the Missouri River boun... (more)

Still earning its keep
Montana Rail Link’s Helena local with eight cars flies up Winston Hill at milepost 215 east of Winston, Montana, on the afternoon of June 25, 2020. MRL EMD GP9 ... (more)

Just before a golden sunset on July 1, 2019, Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch tops Winston Hill and begins dropping downgrade just east of Winston, Montana. Powering the local with cars for RY... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch, led by EMD GP9 No. 109, is eastbound as it descends Winston Hill in a hurry, approaching Townsend, Montana, on the morning of July 3, 2018.

Montana Rail Link GP9 #109 & SD40-2XR #252 highball towards Helena with a short train in tow

Montana Rail Link GP9 #109 leads the Helena local west by the searchlights at Winston,MT.

Rain has moved off over Canyon Ferry Lake on the background as Montana Rail Link’s Helena local returns home climbing Winston Hill westbound east of Winston, Montana, on the afternoon of June 30... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s 840 local, the Helena local, has returned. The train operates out of Helena on weekdays and serves the cement plants at Montana City and Townsend. On June 25, 2020, MRL GP9 N... (more)

Venerable Montana Rail Link EMD GP9 No. 109 smokes it up leading the Helena local up Winston Hill at milepost 215 east of Winston, Montana, on the afternoon of June 25, 2020. MRL 109 was built in ... (more)

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch arrives at Townsend, Montana, passing the searchlight signals at the west end of the siding there on July 5, 2018, Veteran GP9 No. 109 and SD40-2XR No. 262 lead... (more)

MRL GP9 no. 109 mates up with SD45 346 on the local turn from Helena to Townsend and back. The train will run around their cars and head back north to Helena with the SD45 on the point.

Montana Rail Link’s Helena switch descends Winston Hill just east of Winston, Montana, on July 1, 2019. Powering the local with cars for RY Timber and the cement plant in Townsend is MRL GP9 No.... (more)