Montana Rail Link is BNSF's Shortline of the Year for 2013

BNSF Railway has selected Montana Rail Link, Inc. as its 2013 Shortline of the Year for its significant growth and continued emphasis on a strong safety record. In addition, Bighorn Divide & Wyoming Railroad (BDW) won the Special Recognition Award. The awards were presented during the annual BNSF Shortline Conference on Oct. 21 in Irving, Texas.

As a critical part of the BNSF route network, MRL connects with BNSF main lines at Huntley, Mont., and Sandpoint, Idaho. MRL has been handling record volumes of "overhead" traffic in 2013 through a 2012 agreement that ensures adequate capacity on the MRL route to meet future demand.

"MRL is an important BNSF business partner committed to enhance service to customers by focusing on network and terminal velocity initiatives, responding to changes in traffic volume, and investing in infrastructure while always emphasizing the safety of employees," said Dean Wise, vice president of network strategy for BNSF.

[willygoat]

From BNSF's shortline of the year to BNSF's own trackage, starting this year. Godspeed to ya, lads.

[josephpichardo]

I always thought of Montana Rail Link as a class 1 railroad.

[MrMatt-qubs]

That's cool but I wouldn't think of MRL as a short line because it runs mainline freight and is huge.

[geomodelrailroader]

Rail Link is a bridge line for BNSF between Spokane and Fargo when Marias Pass is closed Rail Link has to carry the freight between Spokane and Fargo and this helps elevate freight on Marias Pass which is single track and congested.

[TickledFunnyBone]

I love both railroads. I lived in montana when i was a kid.

[jonathoncalloway]

go bnsf and Montana Rail Link go go!!

[NPTNReddek]

What about SRY? You use their tracks sometimes