July 26-27, 2023.
Footage from two days along BNSF's Hi-Line Subdivision (Northern Transcon) from the high plains to the Rocky Mountains of northwest Montana.
The Hi-Line Subdivision is part the former Great Northern transcon (later Burlington Northern) between St Paul, MN and Seattle, WA. The line sees heavy transcon intermodal traffic, along with manifest freight, crude oil, and grain traffic. Amtrak's Empire Builder runs daily between Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA/Portland, OR. The Hi-Line Subdivision runs west from Havre to Whitefish, crossing the high plains and Glacier National Park in the Rocky Mountains.
This video covers the busy transcon mainline from Shelby to Cut Bank and Glacier National Park, featuring several scenic locations along the Hi-line and U.S. Highway 2, including the prairie ghost town of Devon, the Cut Bank Trestle, and the railfan-famous mountain community of Essex, home to the Izaak Walton Inn. This video documents BNSF operations on the former Great Northern, crossing Montana's desolate high plains and the Rocky Mountain wilderness of Glacier National Park.
Train symbols and destinations listed in this video are based on research, so some symbols may not be accurate. Like many western roads, BNSF does not call out signals over the radio, making it difficult to determine the correct symbols.