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| Just another busy afternoon at Helena Yard. Next out is the crude oil train on the right. |
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| "And now for something completely different." A very rare sight of a BNSF and and NS unit on a helper set. The NS unit is at least a replacement in kind as it's another SD70ACe. |
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| The ritual of waiting at the Roberts St. grade crossing. |
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| This is Anna, a 10 year old Chihuahua. |
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| Headed out to Helena Jct., and so am I. |
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| But first, a look at this mini Loram train. A Sperry railtruck had been through the day before. |
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| Pulling up to Head Lane with an EB on the other main. |
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| EB Coal empties drift down through Tobin. |
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| An interesting puff of a cloud on top of the Elkhorns. |
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| Coming up through the big curve at Birdseye. |
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| Entering Seven Mile Creek Canyon. |
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| Family Lines Lives! |
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| Starting around the big curve at Austin. Note how matted down the grass is, as the snow has just recently melted. |
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| An empty grainer is waiting in the siding clear of the grade crossing. These oil trains are usually 2+2, but only one DPU this time. |
Were those manned helpers? Boy the BNSF locomotives have gotten filthy over the years. I hate NS, but most of their stuff is pretty clean
ReplyDeleteYes, these are manned helpers, MRL operated four sets in Mullan Pass service. MRL also adds power to consists, and calls these "unmanned" helpers in the head end of some of the lighter trains. These are then cutoff at Elliston, and returned to Helena with light helper sets.
ReplyDeleteMake that operates, and not operated.
ReplyDelete