A pair of two-year-old SD70ACes leads Montana Rail Links "ML" manifest. The train left Missoula late last night and is headed for Laurel. This curve is just east of the siding (and very small town) of Greycliff. The train has about 55 miles left to go on its journey.
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About 10 miles west of Laurel, Montana Rail Link's "LM" manifest is moving at track speed as the light quickly fades. The sun set about 10 minutes earlier and the train is ready for a night run to Missoula...or at least to Helena, which is a crew change point for MRL trains.
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Montana Rail Link's "LM" manifest is pulling west on Main 2 through the interlocking at West Laurel. You can see an Approach (yellow) signal at the intermediate and a red way off in the distance at Spurling. By the time the train reaches Spurling, the dispatcher will have a clear signal for the train. Forest fires in Montana help to generate a very orange sunset.
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Sun glistens off the newest power on Montana Rail Link's roster. This SD70ACe was built in December 2013. MRL ordered 16 SD70ACes in the summer of 2005. They seemed to be a success as they ordered two more in July 2013 and then a final two (to date) in December 2013.
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The only "through" freight that MRL runs on its system that isn't BNSF is the "LM" (and its counterpart, the "ML") between Laurel and Missoula. A trio of MRL units leads this evening LM as it departs Laurel westbound. For those wondering about the MRL logo that looks somewhat like a "W". That is actually the logo for "The Washington Companies", the owner of Montana Rail Link.
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As the sun rapidly approaches the horizon in the western sky, Montana Rail Link's "LM" manifest is headed out of Laurel Yard on Main 2, crossing Fifth Street. The train is starting its journey to Missoula, roughly a 340 mile long journey that includes running over Bozeman Pass and Mullan Pass.
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After completing its switching work in the top yard, this MRL SW1500 is returning to the roundhouse at the end of the day. This SW1500 originally came from "Island Steel". I assumed that this was a steel mill that had a couple of engines for switching around cars.
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A BNSF train manifest just arrived in Laurel Yard while a crew for MRL's "LM" manifest (from Laurel to Missoula) walks toward the head end of the train. The train will depart shortly for a (mostly) night run to Missoula.
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One of the main things that Montana Rail Link does is run BNSF trains over the MRL system between (roughly) Billings, MT and Sandpoint, ID. The train is this shot has been handed over to MRL by BNSF. The BNSF power will remain on the train, but MRL crews will run the train over the system. It will then be delivered back to BNSF at Sandpoint.
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When I was a kid, BN had about a half dozen SDP40s on their roster. The steam generators had, of course, been removed. BN liked to use them as power on the Beer Run train in Denver (between Denver and Golden). It was rather cool seeing one of these units, now wearing blue, in Montana. On this evening, the unit is on the "LM" manifest.
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These are the first two Montana Rail Link SD70ACes I've ever seen! They are paired with an SDP40R (formerly BN) and the Laurel Yard Utility Crew is building the "LM". That is short for the "Laurel to Missoula", an MRL manifest that runs between the yards in Laurel and Missoula. Its counterpart is the "ML", and both trains are run as needed by either yard.
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This (somewhat short) coal train has arrived in Montana Rail Link's Laurel Yard. Laurel Yard is quite impressive, being at least twice the size of UP's (ex-DRGW) North Yard in Denver. This being my first visit to Montana Rail Link, it was pretty great seeing (classic) EMD power on a coal train.
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MRL's Laurel Yard Utility Crew are bringing this coal train in to Laurel Yard off Main 1 on the 1st Subdivision. The train has an Approach Restricting aspect at the signal, indicating the next signal will be Restricting (so proceed at restricted speed).
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The last crew on this coal train tied the train down on Main 1 just east of MRL's Laurel Yard. Laurel's 1700 Utility Crew (called as such because they went on duty at 5pm) is now on the train and will take it in to the yard. There is an 500 (on duty at 5am) as well. These crews basically go around the yard and move trains and power around as needed.
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This MRL SW1500 works the west end of the top yard in Laurel, switching out some tank cars. It has been awhile since I've seen a genuine switch engine doing work in a yard!
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