Montana Rail Link: 2nd Subdivision over Bozeman Pass - August 2023

August 1-2, 2023.
Footage from two days along Montana Rail Link from Paradise to Missoula and Mullan Pass on the 10th and 3rd Subdivisions.
Montana Rail Link (MRL) is a class II regional railroad that operates on the former Northern Pacific (later Burlington Northern) between Billings, MT and Sandpoint, ID via Bozeman, Helena, and Missoula. The mainline sees BNSF run-through traffic along with MRL manifests and locals. With impressive mountain railroading and their iconic blue paint scheme, MRL has been a railfan favorite since their long-term lease began with Burlington Northern in 1987. BNSF Railway and MRL have agreed to an early lease termination for January of 2024. After the BNSF acquisition, MRL will become another fallen flag.
This video covers the MRL 2nd Subdivision from Belgrade to Livingston and Big Timber. Between Livingston and Bozeman, the mainline crosses over Bozeman Pass, where MRL helpers are added for the steep grade. Several BNSF run-through trains are seen in this video, along with MRL's eastbound manifest and Bozeman Pass helpers.
BNSF train symbols in this video are based on research, so some symbols may not be correct. Like many western roads, MRL and BNSF do not call signals over the radio, making it difficult to determine the correct symbols.