68 minutes - available as DVD (MRL) and HD AVCHD (MRL-HD)

CLICK ON PICTURE BELOW FOR SAMPLE VIDEO

Here we see a westbound loaded BNSF coal train with four BNSF locomotives and five MRL mid train helper locomotives exiting Bozeman tunnel on 19 May 2010.

Montana Rail Link purchased the BNSF line from Sandpoint Idaho to Jones Junction (east of Billings) Montana in November 1987. It is a dramatic railroad with two high passes - Mullan and Bozeman - each with a tunnel at the summit. Many trains have four or five locomotives, often including remote units on the rear, but still require manned helper sets of 5 locomotives (usually SD70Aces or SD45s), Loaded coal trains usually have 124 cars and nine engines.

The MRL keeps its locomotives in pristine condition and contracts a company to wash them frequently. They use remote controlled switchers in their Laurel yard - the remote control equipment is located in cabooses and these can then be attached to any locomotive (usually an SD35). Switches are controlled by the engineer or brakeman from an electronic ground frame and there is a system of colour lights to show the switch positions.

MRL703 SD35 remote switching Laurel 23 May 2010

Here we see remote controlled MRL SD35 703 switching the yards at Laurel on 23 May 2010.

Most trains are BNSF trains that run across the entire main line but there are also MRL local trains from Helena and Livingston, transfer freights between Missoula and Laurel and local switching duties to service on-line industries.

There are extensive yards at Missoula and Laurel that are operated by Montana Rail Link with their own locomotives and smaller yards at several other locations.

The video shows a variety of MRL locomotives including SD35s, SD40XRs GP9s and SD70Aces as well as BNSF GM and GE units.

MRL703 SD35 remote switching Laurel 23 May 2010

Here we see remote controlled MRL SD35 703 switching the yards at Laurel on 23 May 2010.