While I found the CBRW to be an interesting railroad, there isn't much to be had in the way of scenery. Luckily the power more than makes up for it. While the #12 has a fascinating history, coming from the CB&Q and lasting all the way through the C&S, BN and BNSF. However the real prize is the trailing unit, #608. The #608 started all life as the DM&IR #121, part of the Missabe's second order of state of the art diesel power. After only 15 years on the DM&IR she was sold to the EJ&E in 1972, where the engine would operate for another 15 years until she was sold to the Montana Rail Link in 1987. Lasting a little longer on the MRL, 27 years later she was sold to her current owner, the Columbia Basin Railway. Amazing to see an engine that 62 years ago put the nail in the coffin of some of the largest steam locomotives in the world still toiling away, a testament to EMD's diesel technology.
