Bakken - Coming and Going

Despite the fall off in Bakken crude trains, it's still possible to see two of them in an hours time, as earlier this week in Helena, Montana on the MRL.

WB loads wait for a crew, as work proceeds on the I-15 bridge replacement.

Departure

One of the radio controlled talking switches in Helena Yard.

Double DPU on the rear.

Next train through town, EB empties.

Same power arrangement passes Beattie Park, a picnic table, but no water or bathrooms.

"Wrong Way" Bakken

A westbound oil train arrives at Helena with just two units, no DPU. Power will cutoff and pickup an MRL unmanned of two ACes.

Getting out of town.

An ML waits to crossover at Helena West.

The springs on the trucks are all high, and the tank cars shudder in unison when the slack runs out a couple of times. This is an empty going west without a manned helper over Mullan.

The oil train clears, and the ML crosses over.