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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

7 Idea Steam and Snow; Rotary OY on Cumbres Pass

Watch the Cumbres & Toltec Rotary OY in operation for the first time since 1997! In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Rio Grande Rotary OY was brought back to life for an exciting two-day event, plowing snow between Chama, New Mexico and the summit of Cumbres Pass in Colorado.

The two-day event kicked off on February 29th with the rotary working between Chama and the New Mexico/Colorado state line, followed by a rare nighttime photo session.  On March 1st, the OY battled icy drifts around Windy Point to the 10,015-foot summit of Cumbres Pass.

Two K-36 Class Mikados number 487 and 484 put on a great show of brute force against gravity lugging the OY and its classic snowplow train up the 4% grade. The San Juan Mountains thundered in a continuous eruption of steam, snow, and smoke!

Narration is limited so you can enjoy the sight (and sound) of classic Rio Grande narrow gauge equipment working in the dead of winter. If you weren’t able to see this event in person, this program is the next best thing!

1 hrs 25 Min with Narration On/Off

$29.95

7 Idea Union Pacific's Idaho Main Line Part 1 The Huntington Sub

Etching a course through Southern Idaho and along its western border with Oregon, the Snake River provides a natural route for Union Pacific trains heading to and from the Pacific Northwest. This is the route of the Oregon Short Line, and trains have been rolling through this wild and scenic country since 1884. 

In Part 1 of this two-part series, we are focusing on the western portion of the line from Huntington, Oregon to Nampa, Idaho. The scenery transitions from rugged canyons to rich agricultural land and industry as trains sprint through the lush Treasure Valley. We will visit the communities of Weiser and Payette, Idaho before crossing the Snake River back into Oregon at Ontario and on through Nyssa. Crossing one last time into Idaho, the line continues along the course of the Boise River to the southeast through Parma, Notus, and Caldwell before arriving at the division point of Nampa. 

Several mixed manifest trains are seen daily, along with hot Z trains, and heavy soda ash trains from Wyoming. An army of locals work out of Nampa and a few branch lines are seen in action like the Oregon Eastern Railroad at Ontario and the Boise Valley Railroad at Caldwell.

Shot in beautiful 4K!

1 Hour 48 Min with Narration On/Off

$29.95

7 Idea Union Pacific's Idaho Main Line Part 3 Bliss to Pocatello

In our third in what has become a three-part series across southern Idaho, we continue our tour of Union Pacific’s Oregon Short Line route between Bliss and Pocatello.

Trains work their way across the Snake River Plain through small towns, farms, and wild, open country. Water tanks from the steam era remain at Bliss, Kimama, Minnidoka, and Wapi and classic code lines still follow the rails creating a sense of nostalgia. We find an old passenger and freight depot at Shoshone as well as a preserved Amtrak waiting area, a throwback to when the Pioneer once ran on these rails.

The Eastern Idaho Railroad interchanges with the UP at Minnidoka and we will see it in action at Acequia and Rupert.

One of the most impressive features of the Nampa Subdivision is the crossing of the Snake River at the American Falls Dam. The program wraps up at UP’s busy yard in Pocatello. Modern UP trains rolling over classic rails in a timeless setting best describes this look at Union Pacific’s Idaho Main Line Part 3.

This program was shot in May and July, 2022.

Shot in beautiful 4K!

1 Hour 42 Min with Narration On/Off

$29.95

7 Idea Union Pacific's Pocatello Sub Part 1

Explore Union Pacific’s Oregon Short Line Route between Pocatello and Montpelier, Idaho. The classic western backdrop of eastern Idaho creates a beautiful setting for trains to run through.

This program  begins with an incredible aerial view of UP’s Pocatello Yard then follows the main line eastward along the winding course of the Portneuf River. The railroad follows the old Oregon Trail as it negotiates canyons, mountains, and valleys. It passes small western communities and towns, most of which are deeply tied to the railroad.

The Pocatello Sub is an important connection between the Overland Route at Granger, Wyoming and the Pacific Northwest. Long stack trains frequent the line, along with a mix of manifests and unit soda ash, grain, and tank trains. Locals also serve industry at Soda Springs, Bancroft, and Montpelier.

Big diesel power includes a great mix of rebuilt General Electric AC’s now classified as AC4400CWM’s sporting UP’s newest paint scheme. Along with new and rebuilt diesels, UP Big Boy 4014 makes a few appearances as it returns to Cheyenne from California.

Shot in both summer and winter, this is your front-row seat to the action on the Pocatello Subdivision!

Shot in beautiful 4K!

1 Hour 34 Min with Narration On/Off

$29.95

7 Idea Union Pacific's Pocatello Sub Part 2

Continuing our journey across the historic route of the Oregon Short Line, we will explore the Pocatello Subdivision between Montpelier, Idaho and Granger, Wyoming. The classic western backdrop of eastern Idaho and western Wyoming creates a beautiful setting for trains to run through.

This program begins at Montpelier and heads east along the Bear River through mountains and valleys once traveled by pioneers on the Oregon Trail. The rails enter the State of Wyoming near Chausse and leave the Bear River at Leefe for a route over the mountains near the Fossil Butte National Monument. Trains pass the mining towns of Kemmerer and Diamondville as they follow the Hams Fork River to the connection with UP's Overland Route at Granger. 

Long stack trains frequent the line, along with manifests, unit soda ash, and grain trains. Locals keep busy working between Montpelier, Kemmerer, and Opal. 

UP's fleet of engines include several rebuilt General Electric AC's now classified as AC4400CWM's. Big Boy 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive makes a few appearances as it returns to Cheyenne from California. 

Shot in both summer and winter, this is your front-row seat to the action on the Pocatello Subdivision!

Shot in beautiful 4K!

1 Hour 48 Min with Narration On/Off

$29.95