Photo

Retail Price

7 Idea Farewell MRL Part 1

Since its founding in October 1987, the Montana Rail Link has plied the rails laid down by the Northern Pacific in the Big Sky country of Montana. It has served as a bridge line for the Burlington Northern and later BNSF between Jones Junction, Montana and Sandpoint, Idaho. In addition to handling main line freight, MRL has provided rail service to many local customers along its 900 plus miles of track utilizing several branch lines.

In January 2022, news of the MRL reaching an agreement with BNSF to end its lease brought many railfans out to Montana to see their beloved regional railroad one last time, not knowing exactly when the end would come. We made several trips in 2022 and early 2023 to capture some of the hot spots at various times of the year and are proud to present this four-part series showcasing Montana Rail Link in quite likely its last years of operation. 

Part 1 begins in Missoula and follows MRL’s Gas Local over the 4th and 10th Subdivisions to Pipeline. Then we turn east over the former Northern Pacific’s racetrack to Garrison. Highlights include MRL’s system-wide manifest trains the LM (Laurel-Missoula) and ML, the Bonner Local,  both Day and Night Gas trains and a few of the BNSF run-through trains including coal, grain, and crude oil. 

This series was created to preserve the memory of this amazing regional railroad. Farewell MRL!
May be viewed with or without narration.
2 hrs

$29.95

7 Idea Farewell MRL Part 2

Since its founding in October 1987, the Montana Rail Link has plied the rails laid down by the Northern Pacific in the Big Sky country of Montana. It has served as a bridge line for the Burlington Northern and later BNSF between Jones Junction, Montana and Sandpoint, Idaho. In addition to handling main line freight, MRL has provided rail service to many local customers along its 900 plus miles of track utilizing several branch lines.

 In January 2022, news of the MRL reaching an agreement with BNSF to end its lease brought many railfans out to Montana to see their beloved regional railroad one last time, not knowing exactly when the end would come. We made several trips in 2022 and early 2023 to capture some of the hot spots at various times of the year and are proud to present this four-part series showcasing Montana Rail Link in quite likely its last years of operation. 

Part 2 covers MRL’s army of EMD SD70ACe’s in helper service shoving BNSF trains over Mullan Pass. Up to three sets of helpers, made up of four or five engines, assist heavy trains over the pass. The sight and sound of big two-stroke EMD’s battling the 2.2% mountain grade is what this show is all about! This is the greatest showcase of MRL power preserved here for you to enjoy! 

This series was created to preserve the memory of this amazing regional railroad. Farewell MRL!
May be viewed with or without narration.
1 hr 57 mins

$29.95

7 Idea Farewell MRL Part 3

Since October 1987, Montana Rail Link has plied the rails of the Northern Pacific through central and western Montana. Trains roll over the 900 plus miles to the tune of two-stroke EMD locomotives dressed in the Washington Companies’ blue and black paint scheme.

With news the MRL would soon fade into BNSF, we set out to make a four-part series to document this beloved regional railroad in its final years. 

In Part 3, we continue east across Montana Rail Link’s Second Subdivision over Winston Hill and through Lombard Canyon to Logan. See the Helena Local working to Montana City and Townsend. Catch the Jimbo Train in action setting out ties at Toston. The system-wide LM (Laurel to Missoula) and ML (Missoula to Laurel) trains make an appearance pulling long manifests. 

In addition to mainline action, we will head up the former NP’s Butte Line through Three Forks, Sappington, and the Jefferson River Canyon to Whitehall. We will also see a rock train loading at the Pipestone Quarry and visit the remote Harrison Branch.
May be viewed with or without narration.
2 hrs

$29.95

7 Idea Farewell MRL Part 4

In early 2022, MRL announced that it had reached an agreement with BNSF for an early termination of its 60-year lease of former Northern Pacific track in Montana. Since that time, 7idea Productions has made several trips to the Big Sky State to assemble a four-part series on this beloved regional railroad.

 Part 1 covers trains running in and out of Missoula.

Part 2 shows the climb to the Continental Divide over Mullan Pass.

Part 3 explores Winston Hill, Lombard Canyon, and through the Jefferson River Canyon to Pipestone. 

This final episode covers the eastern portion of the railroad from Logan to MRL’s busy yard in Laurel. In between these two points is the legendary grade of Bozeman Pass. Manned helpers based in Livingston assist both east and westbound trains over the summit and we will watch them working in summer and winter.

 East of Livingston, the mountain grade gives way to fast running along the scenic Yellowstone River. Spectacular aerial footage shows the classic Northern Pacific shops in Livingston and the sprawling yard at Laurel.
May be viewed with or without narration.
2 hrs 32 mins

$29.95