A colorful locomotive consist leads Burlington Northern Santa Fe HKCKPAS westbound through Rock Creek between Bonita and Clinton, Montana, over MRL’s Third Subdivision on October 15, 2000. MRL No. 301, a former Clinchfield/CSX SD45-2 leads the train. Trailing are BN SD60M No. 9214, BNSF GP39M No. 2876, former Santa Fe SD45-2 No. 6471 and GE B40-8 No. 8616. The empty grade between the train and the Clark Fork is Milwaukee Road’s Pacific Extension right-of-way. For 35 years until 2018, Rock Creek was popular in some circles for its annual ‘Testicle Festival’ known as ‘Testy Fest’ each summer at the Rock Creek Lodge that features a wild celebration surrounding music, beer and consumption of ‘Rocky Mountain Oysters.’ Their advertising stated, “You’ll have a ball! If you miss it, you’re nuts!”
