Montana has relied on service across our route for over a century. The rail line operated by Montana Rail Link, Inc., was originally part of the transcontinental railroad completed by the Northern Pacific in 1883.
The Northern Pacific, Great Northern, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and Spokane, Portland & Seattle merged in 1970 to form the Burlington Northern Railroad. Montana Rail Link assumed control of Montana’s Southern Route from the BN in October of 1987.
Why did the Burlington Northern let this route go and let MRL have it?
Mainline railroads such as the UP and BNSF have abandoned hundreds, if not thousands of miles, of track over the years because certain portions were not showing a profit for them. There are many short lines today operating over those abandoned routes. BNSF prefers to handle long distance trains instead of anything local.
The tracks MRL run on are still owned by BNSF. BN leased the trackage to MRL under a 20 or 25 year lease. I can’t remember. At anyrate That lease is near coming due for renewal. BNSF still sends several of its own trains down it every day. and It wouldn’t be suprising of BNSF finds there is grounds for taking its operation back under its direct control.
I know than BNSF runs alot of overhead freights on MRL, but they still have their mainline in the northern part of Montana.
If anybody is interested, there is a link to the Washington Group on MRL’s website. I killed some time one day, checking out all the different companies ol’ Dennis owns. Very interesting surfing!
