ColoradoRailfan.com » Photo Gallery » Photo Search » View Photos

Previous Page     Next Page

Photo ID: 105520
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
East of Manhattan
Gallatin County, MT
1979
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF, Montana Rail Link
For my first trip to visit Montana Rail Link, I invited my dad to come along with me. He is the reason that I love both trains and photography. I have many fond memories of train chasing with him both along the Moffat and the Joint Line. Memories include our car breaking down on a snowy night along I-25, and the battery in his motorcycle dying in Colorado Springs. Fortunately, we didn't have any troubles while making new memories here in Montana.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105519
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
East of Manhattan
Gallatin County, MT
1646
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF
This BNSF coal train is moving along at 45 MPH on the single track main east of Manhattan, MT. A bit smaller than the Manhattan in New York, this Manhattan has a population just over 1,500!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105518
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
West of Bozeman
Bozeman, MT
2055
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF, Montana Rail Link
Just west of the siding of Bozeman, this BNSF coal train is running on clear signals as it continues west. The train will meet an eastbound coal empty a bit further west at the siding of Belgrade.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105510
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Bozeman Tunnel
Park County, MT
1953
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF, Montana Rail Link
When the Northern Pacific originally built up and over Bozeman Pass in 1882, the tracks passed through a 3,652-foot-long tunnel. In 1945, Northern Pacific replaced the tunnel with the current 3,015-foot-long tunnel. You can clearly see the portal of the original tunnel here, now fenced off and largely covered in dirt and foliage. I do not know exactly why the replaced the tunnel...if you have information on this, feel free to leave it in the comments!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105509
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Bozeman Tunnel
Gallatin County, MT
2168
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF, Montana Rail Link
Bozeman Tunnel may only be 3,015 feet long, which is short when compared to the 6.2-mile-long Moffat Tunnel, but that doesn't mean it doesn't get a lot of exhaust! When a coal train such as this one is working to make it over the summit, the tunnel quickly fills with a lot of exhaust. It is not a place you'd want to be caught when a train came charging through.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105508
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Bozeman Tunnel
Gallatin County, MT
2052
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF, Montana Rail Link
Got exhaust? This westbound BNSF coal train has just about made it to the top of Bozeman Pass (note the sign trackside that says "summit"). Evidence of just how hard the engines are working is apparent as a plume of exhaust accompanies the units upon existing the west portal.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105507
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Bozeman Tunnel
Gallatin County, MT
1384
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF
A westbound BNSF coal train has nearly made it over the summit of Bozeman Pass. It is about to emerge from the 3,015-foot-long Bozeman Tunnel and begin its descent down the western slope.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105506
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
MP 120
Park County, MT
2045
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) Montana Rail Link, BNSF
At first glance, you may think this coal train is coming toward the photographer. You might also notice that the headlights on MRL 290 are on dim. These three MRL units are actually manned helpers pushing hard on this coal train, which is climbing Bozeman Pass. The coal train is running in a 3x(0)x4 configuration. Once at the top of the pass, the three MRL units will cut off the train and return to Livingston Yard.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105502
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
MP 119
Park County, MT
1582
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF, Montana Rail Link
This coal train was given to MRL with three units on the point and a single DPU on the end. That probably offers around 1.04 HPT (horsepower per ton), which isn't enough to get the train over Bozeman Pass. To keep the train from stalling out. MRL added manned helpers at Livingston Yard to assist. Now, the train has closer to 1.75 HPT, sufficient to get it over the pass...albeit slowly!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105501
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
MP 119
Park County, MT
2117
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF, Montana Rail Link
During the four day trip my dad and I took to Montana and Wyoming, this was my favorite picture! A westbound BNSF coal train is charging up the eastern slope of Bozeman Pass. While this is a BNSF train, a Montana Rail Link crew is in control as the train climbs the 1.8%. Livingston Peak (9,295 feet above sea level) sits in the distance.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105500
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
MP 119
Park County, MT
1636
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF, Montana Rail Link
9,295-foot-tall Livingston Peak stands tall in the distance on a beautiful August afternoon as a BNSF coal load works hard on the pull up the east side of Bozeman Pass.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105499
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
MP 116
Park County, MT
1992
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF, Montana Rail Link
As this westbound BNSF coal load (with MRL crew) heads west out of Livingston, MT toward Bozeman Pass, Livingston Peak stands tall in the distance. The mountain peak is 9.295 feet high and is located in the Absaroka Mountain Range.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105498
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
MP 116
Park County, MT
1602
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF
With its helpers attached, this westbound coal load now has the horsepower it needs in order to conquer the steep grades of Bozeman Pass. Not far ahead, the siding will converge with the main and the train will make it charge up the single track main.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105497
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Livingston Yard
Livingston, MT
1625
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF, Montana Rail Link
A westbound BNSF coal load sits on the main track in Livingston, waiting for manned MRL helpers to hook on to the rear and help shove the train up and over Bozeman Pass. If you look closely, you can actually see said helper units preparing to hook on, way off in the distance (left side of the frame, between the tank cars and the coal train).
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Photo ID: 105494
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, August 14, 2015 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Bozeman Tunnel
Gallatin County, MT
1971
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
2nd Subdivision (MRL) BNSF
This BNSF grain train has reached the 5,702 ft high Bozeman Pass. Train pass through Bozeman Tunnel at the top, which is 3,015 feet long. The west portal of the tunnel exits in to a cut, which is seen here.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

Previous Page     Next Page

Check out ColoradoRailfan.com on Facebook
Check out the latest ColoradoRailfan.com photos on Flickr

ColoradoRailfan.com Email Subscription
To receive updates made to ColoradoRailfan.com via Email, Click Here.

The D&RGW Site Ring
This site owned by: Kevin Morgan
Add Your Site

SiteRing by Bravenet.com

SiteRing by Bravenet.com

All content ©2000,2026 by Kevin Morgan, except where noted. Please do not use any material from this site without permission. Thank You.