The Essential Workers unit looks horrible. So much soot that it looks like an NS unit. Nice shot though!
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| Posted by on July 24, 2025 | |
Austin Gulch viaduct (bridge No. 18, “Skyline” is near M/p 18.4) @ M/p 18.95 on BNSF Montana Division’s MRL 3rd subdivision main w/2.2% compensated grade on a compound curve (10° 29' E/near approach, 10° on bridge, 10° 52' W/upper approach ? was tightest on former MRL main). Taken-from former NPRR “overhead line”/by-pass grade of 4.4% from 1883 that began off curve to Lt. on near/E approach during completion of 3,896.5 ft.(1,187.65+m) Mullan Tunnel (near M/p 20, was “daylighted” for 365 ft.; 11.25+m on W end c.2007). It included a 14° “hairpin loop” (current Mullan Pass Rd./USFS #1805 is on the lower section of that grade, which was also used during Tunnel cave-ins during 1887 & 1888) to Rt./NW-of and above this locale. Interesting a “rescue helper” was needed as normally a four- or five-unit set’s “cut-in” @ Helena Jct. (near M/p 3) for loaded Coal movements, and “cut-out” @ W switch of Elliston (M/p 30.75 ? although it’s possible this “rescure helper set” was removed-from the rear end @ the E switch of Blossburg, near M/p 20.5). Quite tolerable late-afternoon lighting for this shot, w/6,010±ft. (1,831.85-m) ridge on Continental Divide to upper-Lt. background.
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