Farewell MRL Part 2 [The Helpers of Mullan Pass]

Since its founding in October 1987, the Montana Rail Link has plied the rails laid down by the Northern Pacific in the Big Sky country of Montana. It has served as a bridge line for the Burlington Northern and later BNSF between Jones Junction, Montana and Sandpoint, Idaho. In addition to handling main line freight, MRL has provided rail service to many local customers along its 900 plus miles of track utilizing several branch lines.

In January 2022, news of the MRL reaching an agreement with BNSF to end its lease brought many railfans out to Montana to see their beloved regional railroad one last time, not knowing exactly when the end would come. We made several trips in 2022 and early 2023 to capture some of the hot spots at various times of the year and are proud to present this four-part series showcasing Montana Rail Link in quite likely its last years of operation.

Part 2 covers MRL’s army of EMD SD70ACe’s in helper service shoving BNSF trains over Mullan Pass. Up to three sets of helpers, made up of four or five engines, assist heavy trains over the pass. The sight and sound of big two-stroke EMD’s battling the 2.2% mountain grade is what this show is all about! This is the greatest showcase of MRL power preserved here for you to enjoy!

This series was created to preserve the memory of this amazing regional railroad. Farewell MRL!

0:00 Intro
3:33 Map
6:01 Garrison
17:38 Bradley
19:19 Avon
22:22 Elliston
25:18 Blossburg
42:33 Skyline Trestle
49:04 East Portal Mullan Tunnel
55:36 Skyline Trestle
1:01:48 Austin Siding
1:28:45 Seven Mile Creek
1:38:27 Helena Junction
1:40:23 Tobin

[shapeshiftsix]

The Chug of the GE coupled with the nice hum on the EMD of the coal train leaving Helena is awesome.

[KistRs]

Mullan Pass and Marias Pass, my favorites areas of railroading in Montana, beautiful landscapes, heavy trains battling the grade, nothing else can beat this.

[brianwaldrop]

Superb photography and narrative, as always, and a fine remembrance for a special operation in a beautiful part of the country. Well-done, Aaron!

[chefkevinpenner]

The Farewell MRL series is one of the best sounding of all time! The EMDs sound so good!

[rdlehmer]

Thank you for capturing this wonderful set of memories of the MRL. I spent 4 or 5 days between Sandpoint and Livingston in August 2022 and was impressed with the efficiency and speed of operations over the line. Truly will be missed.

[andyharman]

Yeah, baby! I loved Part 1, and Part 2 popped in my feed only 25 minutes after it posted. I clicked on it automatically, and the opening scene had EMD's working hard. My favorite sound in railroading and beautiful Montana scenery. I am SO here!

[stevek]

Beautiful job with this series! Great visuals and sound. You really captured the feel of this part of the Rockies including the bone chilling January winters. I really enjoyed watching these videos, thanks.

[Nicola]

I'm really enjoying seeing this video! Well done.

[rogertemple]

I'm really enjoying seeing this and it is an amazing train going through
the most beautiful scenery and countryside especially Mullan Pass
Thank You.🚂🚃🚃🇺🇲

[Bryanja]

I really enjoy these videos. Thank you for uploading them to Youtube!

[alanwbelcher]

Excellent video, spectacular drone footage. Thanks for sharing.

[sojourning]

Fantastic ! thank you! I enjoy all the videos.

[derrickwong]

That's fantastic for Farewell MRL Series

[peteypyotr]

Been waiting for part 2, thanks very much.

[russellforte]

"the cold caress of the winds icy fingers" LOL!!!!

[desi_patriot]

OPENRAILS Trainsimulations epic route package MULLAN PASS brought me here. But the OR route covers ATW from Helena to Missoula.. very beautifully modelled route.

[pauljung]

Amazing this is the cool. Another train video.

[Ovalaardvark]

The parent company of MRL (the Washington companies) still has another railroad called Southern Railway of British columbia (SRY rail link) With the same paint as MRL.

[RevKev]

Was at Mullan pass and Helena in late July 2023 to capture the last of the MRL, during the week trains were limited due to track replacement over skyline trestle and Mullan tunnel, but they ran plenty during the weekend. Our return to Michigan was up on the BNSF Highline along US2

[VernonMatthews-tw]

I think the engineer spotted the drone @ "1:05:26" at the curve @ "Austin Siding" 😮with that horn salute 🫡 👏 👍 ❤