I can only repeat myself, this is another fantastic MRL video. The GP35 helpers are indeed pretty unique, that was a very lucky catch. The other units are cool too, especially the BNSF loco with the smoking traction motor. Hopefully somebody noticed it and they could fix the problem. Great video again Dan, your trip to Montana was prosperous that's for sure.

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Z! I was so stoked about the GP35's. That smoking BN unit actually failed not much longer after the end of the video and by the time we got to Muir at the top of the hill to watch it again they were crawling almost at walking speed but they managed to make it! We saw two different BN units have traction motor failures climbing the East end of the pass during our time there.

Thank you for your hard work and very high quality production…..I’m 73 now and been railfaning for 60 some odd years, watching black widow F units near our house in the late 50’s……Bruce

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Bruce! You've seen a lot then and some of the golden age of railroading no question! I am much younger and unfortunately missed out on some of the very best but I feel fortunate to live in the time of drones where I can capture some views not possible otherwise.

Thank you for another wonderful Montana Rail Link video, Dan! The trains were long, and they were struggling to go over the pass. The GP35 helpers and the other helpers had their work cut out for themselves while helping the trains get over the pass. I presume that the MRL crew informed the dispatcher of the problem with the smoking traction motor. Hopefully, the traction motor did not cause a problem as the train continued its journey. The scenery was beautiful. The Absaroka Mountains were magnificent in the background.

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Thomas! I was so excited about the GP35's. To me that was the rarest thing I captured during my time on the MRL. That unit with the smoking traction motor actually failed not much longer after the end of the video and by the time we got to the top of the pass to watch the train again it was crawling almost at walking speed but they managed to make it! It really is some spectacular scenery out there.

The sort of artwork I have come to expect from Dan. Very nice!

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much Bill! I was really happy with this one.

Just beautiful....even the sky and clouds cooperated! Thanks and many blessings to you and yours

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Miriam! Yes I enjoyed how good the weather was to us during our time there.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Your sound editing at the beginning was impeccable. Definitely got some interesting activity. Thank you for sharing.

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Chaos! I much appreciate your gratitude about the sound editing because I always worry it isn't going to be well received when I do special things like that.

WOW!! Spectacular video once again Dan. Beautiful footage from air and ground with nice scenery. Thanks for sharing and have a great rest of your weekend.

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Stormy! Always much appreciated!

@StormySkyRailProductions

Жыл бұрын

@@TheRailfanDan Your very welcome and no problem.

Incredibly beautiful countryside. I didn't know there were still areas of the earth in existance that are not covered by concrete.

Just brilliant and the locomotive sound added in the drone sequence was great. Also you additional commentary was great

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Paul I'm glad you enjoyed the added sound! I get extremely critical of myself when I try to do something unique like that so I was hoping most others would enjoy it.

Great video as always, Dan - thanks for sharing. 8 years ago I set up my tent just above the west portal on the south side. I set up in the twilight and packed up and left just after sunrise so no one would chase me out of there. Listened to the trains working up to and through the tunnel all night. I caught a few of the then still active 20 cylinder units running through. In the morning all traffic came to a stop because of a broken rail about 2-3 miles west of the west portal. One GM train, with 10 older mostly 4 axle EMD locomotives, including a BNSF / ex-Santa Fe GP 40X and two short line high hood GP-9's, was waiting for the line to clear in the tunnel with the head end units and about 30 mixed freight cars just out of the portal. The east portal at Muir has always been swarming with railroad workers whenever I was there, and the little mail box forest under the interstate bridge has plenty of locals stopping to get their mail every few minutes, but I walked to the old and new east portals anyway, keeping out of sight as best I could. The old tunnel portals are still visible on both ends, but the east one is nearly buried.

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Scott! I bet that was a lot of fun listening to the trains grind up the hill all night. That sounds like quite the ordeal they had to deal with during that time. Yes that East portal is almost completely overgrown. I didn't even notice it until I was reviewing my videos on the computer.

I don’t know what it is about MRL but I love seeing them in action. Awesome drone footage! 👍🏻🎥💯

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thank Brandon! I don't know who doesn't love watching the MRL. They traverse some top notch scenery!

@brandonreeves5979

Жыл бұрын

@@TheRailfanDan you’re welcome sir! I completely agree with you.

Beautiful "Big Sky" country.

Wonderful scenery, Dan.

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Steve!

Man I always love your videos. Thank you for sharing your work. I really miss Montana

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Chris!

Awesome video, thanks for sharing!

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot!

Nice show. I didn't know any SDP40s were still running.

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

I am curious if it is the last one operating or not. I would be surprised if there were any others.

Awesome.

Beautiful !

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Parabéns Show!

Those GP 35's are also looking good for about 56 to 58 years old. Very nice music and video composition. And beautiful vista's towards the end. Excellent Work! The dubbed in loco sound is great! Watching America roll on, is fantastic. You can really get the feel of those motive powers, working and straining, on the long haul, up the grades. Thank you, once again, for the BIG Sky Vista's.....Dan. And the jeep doesn't look too shabby either👍 Homemade viewing shroud or product?

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Ron! I don't know why I hadn't thought about it but you're right those GP35's are very old now. It was a buddy of mine and myself railfanning together most of this trip and the Jeep was his rental that he drove out there that we spend most of our time roaming around in.

@RonStanek

Жыл бұрын

@@TheRailfanDan at least it's the right vehicle for that country.

Awesome drone footage, next level stuff here! Sub'd in for the ride!

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Sunny I really appreciate it!!

Excellent video - the scenery and the 'top gun' flying very impressive. Two observations, at the Bozeman tunnel off to the left is another tunnel portal and I assume this is the abandoned original tunnel? Note the second locomotive in the leading lashup is a relatively new UP EMD - not a lot of videos contain the two fierce rivals sharing equipment. Much enjoyed.

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Carl! Yes that is the old tunnel portal on the left which was replaced in 1945 from what I've read. Yes that is a new SD70 which are not very common in general so it was neat to catch out there! I live on a UP mainline and even here they are rare to find.

MRL must make a good living helping BNSF up the grades around there. Maybe that is how they could afford those 2 gorgeous SD70-ACe units.

What a great video!!! How interesting is that smoking traction motor and the helpers which are just following the train???? Dan, how does this go with the helpers? The main train passes and then the helper unit is dispatched from a different track to follow it? Why dont they help while they are there?

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Levente! I'm not sure why the helpers followed and didn't just tack onto the rear to help shove. I would certainly have got them up and over the pass quicker.

bo~ how’s everything going?! Thanks, you did pro ! :))

I need to check some them roads out lol,

Thanks!

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Michael, seriously thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!

@click4mrh

Жыл бұрын

@@TheRailfanDan money well spent Dan. You repeatedly earn it. M

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

You're too kind my friend. Thanks a lot!

Wonderful video. About how busy is the rail traffic over Bozeman Pass?

@TheRailfanDan

10 ай бұрын

Pretty busy. I would say an average of 20- 25 trains a day if not more.

any idea how long the MRL units will last until they actually disappear?

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

I don't think anyone knows but I wouldn't be surprised if they kept their paint schemes on units even after a few years once BN has taken them over.

Do these helpers have a crew?

@TheRailfanDan

Жыл бұрын

Yes they are manned helpers.

@dennisworkmansr.714

Жыл бұрын

@@TheRailfanDan I was thinking so just wanted another opinion....Thanks