MRL Montana Main Line (Part 1)

This program was originally released on DVD in 2011. Our goal was to cover the MRL main line (hence the title) and give you the experience of being trackside. Because of this, a majority of the trains have BNSF power, although we did shoot MRL power whenever possible.

Rolling on over 900 miles of former Northern Pacific track through Montana, Idaho and Washington State, the MRL served as a bridge line for BNSF between Laurel, Montana and Spokane, Washington. BNSF trains make up the majority of traffic although they are operated by MRL crews. In Part 1 of our two-part video series, we cover the First and Second Subdivisions between Jones Junction and Helena, Montana. The railroad follows the Yellowstone River west to Livingston, climbs over Bozeman Pass, snakes through Lombard Canyon, and over Winston Hill before arriving at Helena.

The highlight of the program has to be the sight (and sound) of genuine 20 cylinder SD45’s shoving heavy unit trains over Bozeman Pass!
Shot in summer and winter, this video features a great combination of great scenery and raw horsepower battling mountain grades.
Shot in January and July of 2011.

0:00 Intro
2:40 Map
3:29 Jones Junction
10:34 Billings
13:04 Laurel Yard
15:02 Rapids
16:27 Columbus
18:26 Yellowstone River Bridge (Reed Point)
21:26 Big Timber
23:15 Elton Bluff
25:34 Northern Pacific Train Approaching Signal
27:14 Livingston
36:39 Bozeman Pass (east side)
1:04:59 Muir
1:12:32 Bozeman Tunnel
1:16:42 West End
1:19:04 Trail Creek Road
1:20:46 Bozeman
1:23:00 Belgrade
1:25:25 Logan
1:27:38 Trident
1:31:01 Totson Dam
1:32:45 Townsend
1:35:17 Winston Hill
1:40:57 Winston
1:48:02 East Helena
1:51:17 Helena

[ideaproductions]

I originally released this on DVD back in 2011, around 13 years before the line would revert back to BNSF. The main goal back then was capturing the nearly solid set of SD45's in the helper pool out of Livingston, since they were on borrowed time. I hope you enjoy the program!

[gotthard-suedrampe]

Thank you. Well done and presented in a very interesting way.

[NWFProductions]

This is the MRL I remember, MRL SD40-2s, SD45, s and Geeps around every corner. I was a very young kid then and did not have a camera nor the care to video or take pictures, that's all changed now. When MRL announced its closing that was the moment I decided a camera was on the top of my priority list as a 16-year-old. I got many videos of MRL in its final breaths all be it none of them very good as I have just now started to become very good with a DSLR. MRL made memories that will last a lifetime, and I will always remember it as my home state railroad. Though I lived in the Flathead my whole life MRL always held a special place in my heart, I always wished to become a locomotive engineer on MRL, and now BNSF, UP, or a shortline will have to do. Nothing you have in life will last forever, don't take advantage of it as it will be gone someday. Get out there, do what you love, don't let anyone stop you, and when your in your final days you won't have to regret what you never did, you will pass into the next life knowing you did your best and lived life to it's fullest. Thank you 7 Idea for the great video, and great commentary, keep up the great work, and I can't wait to see the next one.

[NSProductions]

Babe, wake up
7idea productions uploaded

[CSXEK]

Oh yes a fine video 7idea productions I love all the train content especially thoes SD45s!

[yankeesforlife]

This is pretty cool to see, especially since I’m qualified all the way fro, North Dakota to Helena

[bobtrevorah]

Thank you! It's so damned good to see and (especially) hear the iconic EMDs in service rather than the usual parade of endless GEs on all the other roads!! Man, they sure sound good!! I appreciate your time and effort. Fantastic video!!

[ethanhufnagel]

Nice video complation on this program, I grew up with this railroad called the Montana Rail Link when I lived in Townsend, Montana from 2002 to 2018. This railroad has a special place in my heart. I am sorry it went away but they wanted to terminate the 999 year lease it was under back in the 1980s. BNSF took over the Montana Rail Link this past Janurary 1st. I hope this program will make you reflect back on everybody's years on the Montana Rail Link.

[rogertemple]

This is a great train video to watch on a Friday night and
enjoy it with some pizza and a soda thanks.🚂🚃🚃🇺🇲

[edmundk]

Great compositions, colors and settings and endurance, perseverance just great content!

[cnichting]

I was surprised to see mrl 332 on this video I remember seeing her on Cincinnati east terminal railroad back in July 2020

[genewalter]

Was watching your vid and was wanting to say it was a good accounting ot MRL. I saw that at 19:11 you showed a coal train going over the bridge that failed and dumped the cars into the Yellowstone river and shut down the route. I could tell that the video was taken while the old highway bridge was still up by the shadow of the hwy bridge. It was taken out because the pears were being washed away like the failed RR bridge.

[brendenkennedy]

Hey wait a minuet I have this exact DVD both part one and part two as well. How are you doing this evening? I love trains a lot. Trains are pretty hard not to like correct?

[emwungarand]

EMD's are God's choice of engine. That sound cannot be explained otherwise.

[RockymountainRobert]

I lived in Montana as a kid, it was fun 😁

[MrDgwphotos]

38:04 Double MRL Oddities: 250, the sole original SD40-2, and 290, SDP40.

[jleveille]

Thank you Thank you and Oh Yeah thanks for this video I grew up hearing the EMDS. Instead of watching your videos eating Bagels I watch your videos While using the treadmill at University of maine rec center

[bkayganich]

Hello, slight correction at 5:23. DTE serves the thumb region, and Southeast Michigan, not Southwest. Consumers Energy serves Southwest MI.

[andrewwhite]

There is a private HO scale layout that I go to once a month. That is based off this area.

[kvcroff]

Hey Aaron, do you think one day soon you'll make a video life after I'm from Glacier County just wanted to throw that in love all the videos.