Montana Rail Link Trains Battle Mullan Pass!

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  • Опубліковано 25 січ 2022
  • This is the epic battle of high tonnage trains verses gravity! Montana Rail Link utilizes manned helpers based in Helena to assist heavy westbound trains over Mullan Pass, a stiff 2.2% climb to the Continental Divide in Montana's Rocky Mountains. Five-unit sets of EMD SD70ACe's spill their guts as swing-helpers lugging heavy tonnage over the grade. Classic SD40's and 45's get a good workout along with BNSF GE Dash 9's, GEVO's, and EMD SD70MAC's.
    With news that the MRL will soon fade into the BNSF, we thought it was fitting to share some of our favorite scenes from the winter and summer of 2011.
    This is from our 2011 DVD release "MRL Montana Mainline Part 2." If you would like to purchase the entire program, it is available at www.7ideaproductions.com. www.7ideaproductions.com/prod...
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 90

  • @andyharman3022
    @andyharman3022 Рік тому +1

    I love the sound of raging EMD's in the morning.

  • @williamwilliams3447
    @williamwilliams3447 2 роки тому +3

    So nice to see these beautiful trains without the hideous grafitti on all the cars.

  • @kenneycooper6199
    @kenneycooper6199 2 роки тому +2

    The sound of those EDM'S on the MRL line is music to my ears.

  • @paradoxicalcat7173
    @paradoxicalcat7173 Рік тому +1

    Great video!

  • @anb740
    @anb740 2 роки тому +20

    Makes me sick that all of this (MRL power) is going away. Fun while it lasted, and glad I’ve made multiple trips there in the last decade!

    • @matthewwatkins9008
      @matthewwatkins9008 2 роки тому

      God I love the sound of those EDM’S. Is the BNSF keeping all the the Montana Rail locomotives?

    • @anthonyschwarz1572
      @anthonyschwarz1572 2 роки тому

      @@matthewwatkins9008 I think they will i’m not sure if they will repaint them though

    • @O-PAC
      @O-PAC 2 роки тому +2

      @@anthonyschwarz1572 Hopefully they’ll keep them in the MRL colors. Such a great paint scheme. I guess BNSF has another logo to add to their 25th anniversary locos now.

    • @anthonyschwarz1572
      @anthonyschwarz1572 2 роки тому +1

      True, It would be sad for them to atleast not keep a few as the paint scheme like they did with the ATSF and BN

    • @Greatdome99
      @Greatdome99 2 роки тому

      My guess is that if MRL's power doesn't fit into the current BNSF roster, they'll sell them off the shortlines, but it'll take some time.
      I won't miss that dark blue color scheme--like SP gray, very hard to photograph.

  • @Willysmb44
    @Willysmb44 2 роки тому +6

    Excellent program. Props to the crew for standing out in the bitter cold to get this!

  • @jimmyhook4852
    @jimmyhook4852 2 роки тому +5

    R.I.P. Montana Rail Link. ;-;

  • @TrainLordJC
    @TrainLordJC 2 роки тому +9

    A very well presented video of American diesels at work. Most enjoyable.

  • @hervedougnac2141
    @hervedougnac2141 2 роки тому +2

    with the commentary it 's very nice ! thank 's & hello from Lyon France

  • @BobSmith-mj7ik
    @BobSmith-mj7ik Рік тому +2

    Beautiful scenery. I like how you filmed the same location in both summer and winter.👍

  • @dixieboy5689
    @dixieboy5689 2 роки тому +2

    Incredible all the way. Wonderful video. I loved every bit of it. Thx
    The audio is incredible. Stunning Real thing.

    • @7ideaproductions
      @7ideaproductions  Рік тому +1

      Thank you. One of the reasons I shoot video rather than stills it to capture the audio. Especially those two-stroke 645's spilling their guts. Nothing like it!

  • @ScottJohnson4449
    @ScottJohnson4449 2 роки тому +2

    Love the MRL. Take pics while you can!

  • @Rbnqss
    @Rbnqss 2 роки тому +7

    The color scheme of MRL is one of my favorites, another fallen flag colors that we will miss.

    • @carlosromanmoreno1144
      @carlosromanmoreno1144 2 роки тому +1

      Perttu, I am from Chile and I like to watch the videos of the American Railroads, but there are some terms that I do not master very well, for example when you say Fallen Flags you mean units that have already been retired , that is, they are no longer in service ? Regards from Chile.

    • @TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan
      @TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan 2 роки тому

      We will surely miss Montana RailLink it's a shame that BNSF terminated the lease

    • @Rbnqss
      @Rbnqss 2 роки тому

      @@carlosromanmoreno1144 No, it means companies that does not exist anymore

    • @carlosromanmoreno1144
      @carlosromanmoreno1144 2 роки тому

      @@Rbnqss Thank you friend, regards.

    • @MontanaDirtRoads
      @MontanaDirtRoads 2 роки тому

      I live next to their yard, I will miss seeing these trains, they're so much prettier then the bnsf trains, the mel engines are always clean and maintained well, a lot of the bnsf units are pretty nasty

  • @wildbill9919
    @wildbill9919 Рік тому +1

    I have the Pentrex video "Mullan Pass" filmed in the early 90s. Both are great.

  • @LyfovRyan51
    @LyfovRyan51 2 роки тому +2

    Hat's off to the camera crew out there in that temperature.

  • @domhnallmorris
    @domhnallmorris 2 роки тому +1

    This is a great video and the commentary and insight is welcome. Greetings from Scotland.

  • @DelayInBlockProductions
    @DelayInBlockProductions Рік тому +1

    Amazing, as always.

  • @davemcmahon8140
    @davemcmahon8140 2 роки тому +1

    Awesome ending to this great vid. Thanks!

  • @gravelydon7072
    @gravelydon7072 2 роки тому +2

    Know that grade as we stalled out on it on a passenger special. MRL sent one of the SD-40s up from the following freight to shove on the rear. They had added an extra to it just in case we stalled. The following crew wanted to bring two but were told by the dispatcher that they were only to take one. We went over the trestle doing 40 with the helper on the rear.

  • @zz750211
    @zz750211 2 роки тому +1

    I don't know why, but I just love seeing the heat haze from the exhaust. Very well done!

  • @chipsrafferty8362
    @chipsrafferty8362 Рік тому +1

    Superb from every angle.

  • @duodetrenes
    @duodetrenes 2 роки тому +2

    Like 137. Wonderful video. Getting 😉😉

  • @StormySkyRailProductions
    @StormySkyRailProductions 2 роки тому +4

    WOW spectacular video from that area, I really wished we could have made it out there to catch all the MRL EMD action before something like this happened with the BNSF.

  • @daviddowling9830
    @daviddowling9830 2 роки тому +3

    Awesome video

  • @blabbergasted4380
    @blabbergasted4380 Рік тому

    Amazing scenery. Nicely framed shots.

  • @shawnleih2916
    @shawnleih2916 2 роки тому

    Yes like watching BNSF and MRL work together ❤️ video.

  • @icecold1950
    @icecold1950 Рік тому +1

    Awesome video. Beautiful scenery. Love the trestle shots.

  • @anscrailfanner6812
    @anscrailfanner6812 2 роки тому +2

    Nice variety of mixed freight traffic, and rolling stock in general! Just something I don’t get to see much on NS over here on the east coast these days unfortunately. Mostly intermodal trains, but it’s all good. At least a decent amount of trains still run through my area.

  • @SangiTariq
    @SangiTariq Рік тому

    I love this train 🚂 journey ❣️

  • @OregonCrow
    @OregonCrow 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you.

  • @TheRailfanDan
    @TheRailfanDan 2 роки тому +1

    Very good stuff Aaron!

    • @7ideaproductions
      @7ideaproductions  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks Dan! When shooting the winter scenes the pixels on my LCD screen started to freeze. Some of the shots around Austin Loop and Skyline Trestle I just had to guess on the framing and pray I pulled focus correctly. Also that was shot on HDV tape which fortunately did not succumb to the cold.

    • @TheRailfanDan
      @TheRailfanDan 2 роки тому +1

      @@7ideaproductions Wow well you could have fooled me I wouldn't have thought you were doing any guess work at all. That's lucky you had one thing that wasn't affected by the cold. The extreme temps can definitely affect our work!

  • @juanpabloruizleal1833
    @juanpabloruizleal1833 Рік тому

    Fantástico espectacular

  • @anb740
    @anb740 2 роки тому

    FYI, as of my last trip to Mullan Pass in 2019, the access road to the Greenhorn trestle at 20:40 had since been blocked off with a gate. The Austin Creek trestle over Austin road was, thankfully, still readily accessible.

  • @svtrains4773
    @svtrains4773 2 роки тому +1

    Great video! Like 300)

  • @chrisperry1151
    @chrisperry1151 2 роки тому +1

    I see MRL still uses the classic search light signals for their track switches. Awesome. Too bad BNSF will upgrade the line eventually and kill off more great RR history…😢😢!! Excellent filming, narration, and scenery!!

  • @RTWest-kn5fr
    @RTWest-kn5fr 2 роки тому

    Well... I was thinking I'd make a cup of coffee and watch a reasonable length train video... and, this shows up on my YT list. How 'bout that? I guess seeing 11:11, 1:11, 2:22 and 3:33 every time I passed by my microwave today on its LED clock WAS the UNIVERSE speaking to me after all. Where the hell is that on days I'm thinking of buying a lottery ticket? Gracias por tu video...¡excelente! RT sends... envía... Colonia Centro Histórico, Puebla, México...

  • @hervedougnac2141
    @hervedougnac2141 2 роки тому

    i am wondering if they are any drivers in the middle and ending locomotives , or is it controlled (with any distant system , radio orders etc...) by the front locomotive driver ?....thank 's

    • @7ideaproductions
      @7ideaproductions  2 роки тому +1

      The locomotives in the middle are "manned" with an engineer and conductor. Their engineer communicates with the lead engineer via radio. The locomotives on the rear are radio controlled (distributed power) by the engineer on the lead locomotive.

  • @paul-andrelarose3389
    @paul-andrelarose3389 Рік тому

    Major air leakage on brake pipe connection at tail end (marker 1:55; EOT unit), possibly due to cold weather, but unacceptable prior to departure, particularly in mountain territory. 2023/02/24. Ontario, Canada.

  • @arthurschipper8906
    @arthurschipper8906 2 роки тому +1

    No more coal for Boardman, Oregon (@20:15). Goof balls shuttered the power plant.

  • @NE-Explorer
    @NE-Explorer 2 роки тому

    Do they still release end helpers while moving like they did 20 years ago. I just see mid-train units.

    • @anb740
      @anb740 2 роки тому +1

      You’re thinking of Bozeman Pass to the east. They still use both mid train and rear end MRL helpers there. And yes, I’ve caught them cutting those helpers off while still moving right as the tail end goes into Bozeman tunnel. The helpers will immediately return back to Livingston and tack onto the next westbound. Super heavy west bounds will get mid train helpers that will sometimes stay on all the way to Bozeman.

  • @kyleejem9548
    @kyleejem9548 2 роки тому

    Into the blue mountains on RFD tv

  • @dixieboy5689
    @dixieboy5689 Рік тому +1

    >> 1:05 >> How much fuel is in those belly tanks on the 3 locos ?

    • @7ideaproductions
      @7ideaproductions  Рік тому

      I believe the tanks can hold 4900 gallons on the EMD SD70 ACe.

  • @theronerd
    @theronerd Рік тому

    Is it common for the FRED to be leaking air?

  • @RedArrow73
    @RedArrow73 2 роки тому

    What model are the MRL helpers?

    • @DeathLetterBlues44
      @DeathLetterBlues44 2 роки тому

      The most common are EMD SD70ACe locomotives. I did see 2 SD40-2xr locomotives in the last clip at Mullan tunnel.

  • @SangiTariq
    @SangiTariq Рік тому

    I wish to work in Canada railways.

  • @lukebarron656
    @lukebarron656 Рік тому

    Why do they use rental locomotives as helpers why not just use owned power?

  • @SIGINT007
    @SIGINT007 2 роки тому

    It is unfortunate that the owners of MRL are not keeping it alive in their portfolio

    • @dknowles60
      @dknowles60 2 роки тому

      why should they BNSF had 90% of the traffic. not much local bussiness. dennis is a very smart person but if dennis can make it who can

    • @SIGINT007
      @SIGINT007 2 роки тому +1

      @@dknowles60 so why has it been a good idea since the 80s but now suddenly it’s not?

    • @gravelydon7072
      @gravelydon7072 2 роки тому

      @@SIGINT007 Because back then they thought that the route was too motive power and crew intensive and would rather run the train over the Northern Route or down South. Turns out that they really did need to keep the route in BNSF. CSX did the same sort of thinking back then but yanked up the track between Grafton and Parkersburg. Now they wish they had it still in place.

    • @MrDgwphotos
      @MrDgwphotos 3 дні тому

      @@gravelydon7072 BNSF did not exist for another decade. MRL was formed in 1987.

    • @gravelydon7072
      @gravelydon7072 3 дні тому

      @@MrDgwphotos But the former company did exist and merged into what now is BNSF. So it was the former part of BNSF that thought that it was too labor and motive power intensive and you have to consider it a BNSF decision as there were already merger feelers out. BN was the part that wanted to get rid of it. And it was BNSF that they paid to under the lease agreement.

  • @kenmelrac
    @kenmelrac 2 роки тому

    Why not put out some NEW material?? This is over 10 years old now

  • @kelliejensen7796
    @kelliejensen7796 2 роки тому

    😬 P r o m o s m!!

  • @spacecalander
    @spacecalander 2 роки тому

    BNSF wont know what to do with AC power, probably replace them with Dash 9s cause its still the 90s to them. Might as well go with Dash 8s.

    • @davidwhiting1761
      @davidwhiting1761 2 роки тому

      BNSF runs plenty of AC power. They'll probably keep 'em there in the area for helper duty. The SD45s will probably be sold or retired and replaced with either Dash 9s or ES44DCs cascaded down from other services using the ES44C4s and ET44C4s.

    • @micahvictory
      @micahvictory 2 роки тому +1

      All bnsf runs is AC power 😂😂majority of the DC power they still own is probably sitting in the middle of the desert somewhere

    • @davidwhiting1761
      @davidwhiting1761 2 роки тому

      @@micahvictory Arn't the C4s DC powered?

    • @sausagefingers2885
      @sausagefingers2885 2 роки тому +3

      Hey man, 90s railfanning was a golden age!

    • @micahvictory
      @micahvictory 2 роки тому

      @@davidwhiting1761 no AC powered. Basically a es44ac with different truck configurations I believe

  • @jamielacourse7578
    @jamielacourse7578 Рік тому +1

    Those Rail link units are some sharp looking locomotives. Great shade of blue. I can't stand that Conrail blue.......

    • @7ideaproductions
      @7ideaproductions  Рік тому +1

      Yes they are and they will be missed when they dissolve into the BNSF.