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Robert F. | profile | all galleries >> Railroad Photography >> MRL Annual Trip #5 - April 2008 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

MRL Annual Trip #5 - April 2008

A photo essay from my 5th annual excursion to Montana to photograph and record the primary railroad I model and named my internet moniker after.
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BNSF SD75M 8291 pulls an empty Portland Gas & Electric coal train past Missoula Yard to the fuel racks on the east end. 04/06/08
BNSF SD75M 8291 pulls an empty Portland Gas & Electric coal train past Missoula Yard to the fuel racks on the east end. 04/06/08		 8291 & a pair of BN SD60Ms blast into the morning sun at East Bonner, MT. 04/06/08
8291 & a pair of BN SD60Ms blast into the morning sun at East Bonner, MT. 04/06/08		 The empty (eastbound) Gas Local lead by MRL SD45-2 #306 rolling downgrade off the 10th Sub toward De Smet, MT. 04/06/08.jpg
The empty (eastbound) Gas Local lead by MRL SD45-2 #306 rolling downgrade off the 10th Sub toward De Smet, MT. 04/06/08.jpg		 BNSF DASH 9-44CW #969, an Oakway and a GP60M, at Evaro, MT. 04/06/08
BNSF DASH 9-44CW #969, an Oakway and a GP60M, at Evaro, MT. 04/06/08
969 passing the lights west of Missoula. (is this Rainglow?) 04/06/08
969 passing the lights west of Missoula. (is this Rainglow?) 04/06/08		 BNSF ES44DC #7604 leads an eastbound over the Clark Fork River west of Nimrod, MT. 04/06/08
BNSF ES44DC #7604 leads an eastbound over the Clark Fork River west of Nimrod, MT. 04/06/08		 7604 approaching Drummond, MT. 04/06/08
7604 approaching Drummond, MT. 04/06/08		 Three MRL SD70ACe helpers tacked on at Drummond help with the climb toward Mullan Pass. Shown passing the barn at Jens. 04/06/08
Three MRL SD70ACe helpers tacked on at Drummond help with the climb toward Mullan Pass. Shown passing the barn at Jens. 04/06/08
MRL 4304 now leads the train into Avon, MT. 04/06/08
MRL 4304 now leads the train into Avon, MT. 04/06/08		 A westbound BNSF train goes toward the light at the west portal of Mullan Tunnel. 04/06/08
A westbound BNSF train goes toward the light at the west portal of Mullan Tunnel. 04/06/08		 The rear MRL ACe helpers cut off at Blossburg. 04/06/08
The rear MRL ACe helpers cut off at Blossburg. 04/06/08		 The same westbound BNSF train from above passing the Bearmouth area between Drummond & Clinton, MT. 04/06/08
The same westbound BNSF train from above passing the Bearmouth area between Drummond & Clinton, MT. 04/06/08
The MRL dirty dirt train with two recently repainted SD40-2XRs prepares to pull east out of Clinton, MT. 04/06/08
The MRL dirty dirt train with two recently repainted SD40-2XRs prepares to pull east out of Clinton, MT. 04/06/08		 BNSF SD40-2 # 6935 and two other Santa Fe units (Dash 8, SD45-2) spotted approaching Evaro, MT. 04/07/08
BNSF SD40-2 # 6935 and two other Santa Fe units (Dash 8, SD45-2) spotted approaching Evaro, MT. 04/07/08		 Solid Santa Fe lash-up in Montana? in 2008? Who Knew?
Solid Santa Fe lash-up in Montana? in 2008? Who Knew?		 MRL 306, 4308 and 25 tank cars on the Gas Local near Perma, MT. 04/07/08
MRL 306, 4308 and 25 tank cars on the Gas Local near Perma, MT. 04/07/08
The eastbound Gas Local approaching Dixon, MT. 04/07/08
The eastbound Gas Local approaching Dixon, MT. 04/07/08		 Gas local easing to a stop for donuts in Ravalli, MT. 04/07/08
Gas local easing to a stop for donuts in Ravalli, MT. 04/07/08		 MRL Gas Local over the Jocko River in Arlee, MT. 04/07/08
MRL Gas Local over the Jocko River in Arlee, MT. 04/07/08		 In your face, rounding the big curve southeast of Arlee, MT. 04/07/08
In your face, rounding the big curve southeast of Arlee, MT. 04/07/08
Gas Local snaking it's way downhill south of Evaro, MT. 04/07/08
Gas Local snaking it's way downhill south of Evaro, MT. 04/07/08		 Over the big fill. 04/07/08
Over the big fill. 04/07/08		 ...and continuing into DeSmet, MT 04/07/08
...and continuing into DeSmet, MT 04/07/08		 Shiny BNSF SD70ACe #9179 & company drag an empty coal train through Missoula Yard for fuel by the depot. 04/07/08
Shiny BNSF SD70ACe #9179 & company drag an empty coal train through Missoula Yard for fuel by the depot. 04/07/08
The Gas Local pulls it's tankers into Storage 2 at Missoula yard. 04/07/08
The Gas Local pulls it's tankers into Storage 2 at Missoula yard. 04/07/08		 Gas Local power cut off heading to the roundhouse to tie-up. 04/07/08
Gas Local power cut off heading to the roundhouse to tie-up. 04/07/08		 BNSF 6935 with all ATSF power approaching the west switch at Blossburg, MT. 04/07/08
BNSF 6935 with all ATSF power approaching the west switch at Blossburg, MT. 04/07/08		 The Santa Fe train takes the main to get around a loaded Grain train at Blossburg, MT. 04/07/08
The Santa Fe train takes the main to get around a loaded Grain train at Blossburg, MT. 04/07/08
With the eastbound out of the way, the Grain Heavy can now creep down the grade toward Elliston, MT. 04/07/08
With the eastbound out of the way, the "Grain Heavy" can now creep down the grade toward Elliston, MT. 04/07/08		 Three MRL ACe Helpers were cut in 84 cars back. 04/07/08
Three MRL ACe Helpers were cut in 84 cars back. 04/07/08		 Plenty of grain behind them too. 04/07/08
Plenty of grain behind them too. 04/07/08		 Back up at the top of Mullan Pass, our Coal Empty from Missoula finally arrives. 04/07/08
Back up at the top of Mullan Pass, our Coal Empty from Missoula finally arrives. 04/07/08
45 min. (& one large snowman later) a westbound loaded coal screams out of Mullan Tunnel. 04/07/08
45 min. (& one large snowman later) a westbound loaded coal screams out of Mullan Tunnel. 04/07/08		 The rear helpers cut off on the fly at Blossburg Siding. 04/07/08
The rear helpers cut off on the fly at Blossburg Siding. 04/07/08		 Final shot from Monday afternoon as the light helpers entered Mullan Tunnel headed back to the barn in Helena, MT. 04/07/08
Final shot from Monday afternoon as the light helpers entered Mullan Tunnel headed back to the barn in Helena, MT. 04/07/08		 A westbound BNSF baretable breezes up hill past Skyline Siding. 04/08/08
A westbound BNSF baretable breezes up hill past Skyline Siding. 04/08/08
BNSF 4589 leads the empty buckets around the final turn before Mullan Tunnel. 04/08/08
BNSF 4589 leads the empty buckets around the final turn before Mullan Tunnel. 04/08/08		 With a freshly renumbered SD60M second out. 04/08/08
With a freshly renumbered SD60M second out. 04/08/08		 MRL helper set with 4313 at Skyline Siding. 04/08/08
MRL helper set with 4313 at Skyline Siding. 04/08/08		 MRL 4307 on the rear. 04/08/08
MRL 4307 on the rear. 04/08/08
BNSF 4067, 5250, and 4135 lead 126 empty hoppers downhill around the Iron Ridge curve. 04/08/08
BNSF 4067, 5250, and 4135 lead 126 empty hoppers downhill around the Iron Ridge curve. 04/08/08		 Power around the curve, still more cars to come. 04/08/08
Power around the curve, still more cars to come. 04/08/08		 Finally the rear end. 04/08/08
Finally the rear end. 04/08/08		 Eastbound Q-train with autos on the headend rounding the curve at Iron Ridge. 04/08/08
Eastbound Q-train with autos on the headend rounding the curve at Iron Ridge. 04/08/08
ACe Helpers entering the cut through the Iron Ridge. 04/08/08
ACe Helpers entering the cut through the Iron Ridge. 04/08/08		 MRL 308 & 351 help a BNSF Gevo & SD40-2 pull the grade through the Iron Ridge. 04/08/08
MRL 308 & 351 help a BNSF Gevo & SD40-2 pull the grade through the Iron Ridge. 04/08/08		 Would have loved the train to be about an hour later here...
Would have loved the train to be about an hour later here...		 BNSF 4932, on the point of a grain train at Austin, MT. 04/08/08
BNSF 4932, on the point of a grain train at Austin, MT. 04/08/08
Rear helpers shoving hard on the hill here. 04/08/08
Rear helpers shoving hard on the hill here. 04/08/08		 Going away shot, with snow showers in the distance. 04/08/08
Going away shot, with snow showers in the distance. 04/08/08		 MRL Helper 2 waiting for the crew change with BNSF 9985 at Helena, MT. 04/08/08
MRL Helper 2 waiting for the crew change with BNSF 9985 at Helena, MT. 04/08/08		 The headend approaching Greenhorn Creek Gulch between Birdseye, and Austin, MT. 04/08/08
The headend approaching Greenhorn Creek Gulch between Birdseye, and Austin, MT. 04/08/08
Headend, two helper sets and 147 coal cars... BIG TRAIN! 04/08/08
Headend, two helper sets and 147 coal cars... BIG TRAIN! 04/08/08		 The headend, BNSF MAC/ACe/MAC. 04/08/08
The headend, BNSF MAC/ACe/MAC. 04/08/08		 The mid-train helps, MRL ACe/ACe/ACe. 04/08/08
The mid-train helps, MRL ACe/ACe/ACe. 04/08/08		 Mid-helps again... 04/08/08
Mid-helps again... 04/08/08
Rear MRL helps and BNSF distributed power unit. 04/08/08
Rear MRL helps and BNSF distributed power unit. 04/08/08		 Going away shot in the shade. 04/08/08
Going away shot in the shade. 04/08/08		 MRL 253 leads the 840 local out of Helena, MT through Lombard 25 minutes after sunrise. 04/09/08
MRL 253 leads the 840 local out of Helena, MT through Lombard 25 minutes after sunrise. 04/09/08		 No ice in the river this trip, but I still wasn't ready for a swim. 04/09/08
No ice in the river this trip, but I still wasn't ready for a swim. 04/09/08
The local passing a sizable cliff at Lombard, from the old Milky Road bridge. 04/09/08
The local passing a sizable cliff at Lombard, from the old Milky Road bridge. 04/09/08		 BNSF 8296 ant two other SD75Ms pull an old-school grain train past Toston Dam. 04/09/08
BNSF 8296 ant two other SD75Ms pull an old-school grain train past Toston Dam. 04/09/08		 Rounding the curve. 04/09/08
Rounding the curve. 04/09/08		 Closeup. 04/09/08
Closeup. 04/09/08
BNSF 6014, 6214, 9434, & CEFX 1004 at Toston Dam, MT. 04/09/08
BNSF 6014, 6214, 9434, & CEFX 1004 at Toston Dam, MT. 04/09/08		 Coal loads through the snakes. 04/09/08
Coal loads through the snakes. 04/09/08		 More coal! 04/09/08
More coal! 04/09/08		 BNSF SD70MACs 9882, 9519, and EMDX SD60 9005, south of Toston, MT. 04/09/08
BNSF SD70MACs 9882, 9519, and EMDX SD60 9005, south of Toston, MT. 04/09/08
Most of the train entering the canyon. 04/09/08
Most of the train entering the canyon. 04/09/08		 The entire train in the canyon. (BN SD70MAC DPU hiding in the trees near the bottom). 04/09/08
The entire train in the canyon. (BN SD70MAC DPU hiding in the trees near the bottom). 04/09/08		 BNSF 7649 leads another eastbound manifest past the MP 190.5 signal near Toston Dam, MT. 04/09/08
BNSF 7649 leads another eastbound manifest past the MP 190.5 signal near Toston Dam, MT. 04/09/08		 MRL 4300 dragging the LM (Laurel to Missoula Manifest) up the east side of Bozeman Pass, MT. 04/09/08
MRL 4300 dragging the LM (Laurel to Missoula Manifest) up the east side of Bozeman Pass, MT. 04/09/08
Closer view. 04/09/08
Closer view. 04/09/08		 The LM exiting Bozeman Tunnel. 04/09/08
The LM exiting Bozeman Tunnel. 04/09/08		 Rounding the bend near Trail Creek Road (I-90 exit #316). 04/09/08
Rounding the bend near Trail Creek Road (I-90 exit #316). 04/09/08		 MRL SD70ACes on the Livingston Helpers heading west to help a train. 04/10/08
MRL SD70ACes on the Livingston Helpers heading west to help a train. 04/10/08
The helpers pass Bear Canyon Road near Bozeman, MT in a mini snow storm. 04/10/08
The helpers pass Bear Canyon Road near Bozeman, MT in a mini snow storm. 04/10/08		 Head end Helpers tacked on, the train pulls the hill at Trail Creek Road. 04/10/08
Head end Helpers tacked on, the train pulls the hill at Trail Creek Road. 04/10/08		 BNSF 537 & two BN SD40-2s re behind the helpers. 04/10/08
BNSF 537 & two BN SD40-2s re behind the helpers. 04/10/08		 The train approaches the crest at east West End. 04/10/08
The train approaches the crest at east West End. 04/10/08
Into the cut just before Bozeman Tunnel. 04/10/08
Into the cut just before Bozeman Tunnel. 04/10/08		 Leaving the snow storm on the west side of the pass, the train coasts down hill towards Livingston, MT. 04/10/08
Leaving the snow storm on the west side of the pass, the train coasts down hill towards Livingston, MT. 04/10/08		 The sun even attempted to warm the 26° air. 04/10/08
The sun even attempted to warm the 26° air. 04/10/08		 Eastbound coal empties approaching Big Timber, MT with the snowy Crazy Mountains in the distance. 04/10/08
Eastbound coal empties approaching Big Timber, MT with the snowy Crazy Mountains in the distance. 04/10/08
BNSF 8251, two GEs, and four more EMDs pull east out of Bg Timber, MT. 04/10/08
BNSF 8251, two GEs, and four more EMDs pull east out of Bg Timber, MT. 04/10/08		 The empty coal train takes the siding allowing the L-M to pass on the main at Quebec, MT. 04/10/08
The empty coal train takes the siding allowing the L-M to pass on the main at Quebec, MT. 04/10/08		 The LM with MRL 4303 and 304 passing the coal train at Quebec, MT. 04/10/08
The LM with MRL 4303 and 304 passing the coal train at Quebec, MT. 04/10/08		 MRL 4303 approaching Carney, MT. 04/10/08
MRL 4303 approaching Carney, MT. 04/10/08
The LM passes through a snow flurry near Elton, MT. 04/10/08
The LM passes through a snow flurry near Elton, MT. 04/10/08		 The LM creeps around the curve on the Long Lead west of Livingston, waiting for some departure color. 04/10/08
The LM creeps around the curve on the Long Lead west of Livingston, waiting for some departure color. 04/10/08		 Halfway up the hill the train finally finds some decent sunlight! 04/10/08
Halfway up the hill the train finally finds some decent sunlight! 04/10/08		 Finally, a classic MRL SD45 helper set on the rear doing their 'thang. 04/10/08
Finally, a classic MRL SD45 helper set on the rear doing their 'thang. 04/10/08
Approaching Muir, the clouds and snow make a return. Cows didn't mind. 04/10/08
Approaching Muir, the clouds and snow make a return. Cows didn't mind. 04/10/08		 The sun was sinking fast so photo spots were few and far between, one last look approaching Bozeman, MT. 04/10/08
The sun was sinking fast so photo spots were few and far between, one last look approaching Bozeman, MT. 04/10/08		 BNSF 5359 takes off out of Livingston, MT after sunset. 04/10/08
BNSF 5359 takes off out of Livingston, MT after sunset. 04/10/08		 The Jimbo with MRL SD40-2XR 254 and SDP40-2XR 290 slowly follow behind. 04/10/08
The Jimbo with MRL SD40-2XR 254 and SDP40-2XR 290 slowly follow behind. 04/10/08
MRL 406 leading the short 840 Local through a flurry at Trail Creek Road. 04/11/08
MRL 406 leading the short 840 Local through a flurry at Trail Creek Road. 04/11/08		 Again along Trail Creek Rd. east of Bozeman, MT. 04/11/08
Again along Trail Creek Rd. east of Bozeman, MT. 04/11/08		 In the distance the 840 dips under I-90 at the bottom of Bozeman Pass near Bozeman, MT. 04/11/08
In the distance the 840 dips under I-90 at the bottom of Bozeman Pass near Bozeman, MT. 04/11/08		 The local passes Moffit Gulch Road east of Bozeman, MT. 04/11/08
The local passes Moffit Gulch Road east of Bozeman, MT. 04/11/08
Lastly the local nears Bozeman Siding on the east edge of town. 04/11/08
Lastly the local nears Bozeman Siding on the east edge of town. 04/11/08		 The ML with MRL SD70ACe #4310 leading departs Bozeman, MT. 04/11/08
The ML with MRL SD70ACe #4310 leading departs Bozeman, MT. 04/11/08		 Comin' 'round the mountain at Trail Creek Road, my new favorite spot. 04/11/08
Comin' 'round the mountain at Trail Creek Road, my new favorite spot. 04/11/08		 Rear ACe helps gingerly bumping the empties on the rear. 04/11/08
Rear ACe helps gingerly bumping the empties on the rear. 04/11/08
The ML at East Muir with cloud shadows in hot pursuit. 04/11/08
The ML at East Muir with cloud shadows in hot pursuit. 04/11/08		 The ML departs down the long lead out of Livingston on the final leg of it's eastward journey. 04/11/08
The ML departs down the long lead out of Livingston on the final leg of it's eastward journey. 04/11/08
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Dick Chaffer - Bozeman 20-Apr-2008 18:27
Great pictures, Robbie. I'll bite: What's the 'Jimbo' ?
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