Beginning in 1902, the Great Northern began navigating its trains between Jennings and Columbia Falls, Montana on a new right of way partially following the Kootenai River. This route bypassed a line built ten years beforehand over Haskell Pass, and in the process benefited the GN time effectively and economically. However, with the construction of the Libby Dam project coming into play in the late sixties, the Great Northern rerouted a stretch of the initial relocation's route between Jennings and Stryker. Many railfans refer to the current main, which opened in 1970, as the Flathead Tunnel relocation line. Though most of the track from the second right of way was torn out west of Eureka, a short remnant of the line still exists off the now-BNSF's Kootenai River Subdivision at Jennings, as seen in the image. The out of service quarter mile spur remains to be a reminder of the trains that use to continue following the Kootenai River for sixty-eight years.
DISCLAIMER: Though I usually avoid practicing photography from the middle of the gauge, the condition of the bridge behind me (out of picture) can testify that there probably won't be another train over these rails till it's repaired.
