Out of the storm With the collapse and reconstruction of MRL’s Yellowstone River Bridge near Reed Point from June 24 to July 22, 2023, and the subsequent severing of a busy main line, MRL and BNSF had to scramble to accommodate and reroute trains during this time. BNSF sent its overhead tonnage to different lines during the closure, but MRL continued to run its locals, as well as operating a series of daily trains over the western portion of the railroad to shuttle cars and serve its on line customers.
On Winston Hill during the stormy afternoon of July 6, 2023, the sun pops out and illuminates MRL’s turn, operating from Helena to Bozeman and return, charging past milepost 215 as it heads west to Helena Yard. MRL SD70ACe Nos. 4301 and 4302 were kept busy during the bridge closure—this is the fourth time in the last twenty-four hours that these locomotives have crossed Winston Hill!
