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11/4/2024
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Viewing Album:  Railfanning Under the Big Sky; Always and Forever an MRL Fan!!
 
By:Marty Pfohl
Dates:4/1/1993 - 5/1/2015
Album Info: For Everyone who visits my MRL page I wish to say 'Thank You' for Your interest and I hope you will enjoy the photos in this album. The MRL is 'My No.1 fave' of all US rail operations, and I've been a confirmed fan since first learning of them in the early 1990's. They embody, perhaps, everything a 'fantasy railroad' operation would be..friendly staff, beautiful and often dramatic operating environment, awesome and enduring paint schemes, and a fascinating mix of new and classic power. I have been lucky to visit and railfan the line through central Montana numerous times and hope to present some of my better photos here. The MRL of 2015, still an impressive, endearing and dramatic operation is not to be missed, however, my fondness is for the 'first generation' MRL of the early to mid 1990's of which i was fortunate to be eyewitness to. It was an era when the 'double speed stripe' was the official paint scheme {and to me, still thier best!} and it was common to see SD's from every corner of the US in MRL service, painted or not!! Trains ran at all hours in all conditions and the sounds of big 645 powered SD45's rumbled the hills and mountainsides...those will always be my cherished memories of the MRL..In 2015 the '45's are now mostly a memory and 'Red Lion' painted 70Ace's rule the road, trains again run MOST hours and still, in all conditions..Montanans are still just about the best folk You can meet, and, although 645's rarely echo on the grades, hills and mountains now, those sets of front/mid/rear 710 powered Ace's at work sure does turn my blood 'MRL Blue!!!' Thanks to Everyone reading this!! -MP
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Light check!
Title:  Light check!
Description:  Pulling late evening duty, MRL 4300's helper set has hooked up to a covered hopper which it will shortly be pushing westward. Possibly the engineer need a bit of light to check all the connections??? -I was passing by at the right moment and had to get a quick grab shot first...As I was resetting my camera for a better photo, alas...lights out!!! -this dazzling scene was no more.....
Photo Date:  9/29/2013  Upload Date: 12/4/2013 4:31:54 AM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  MRL 4300(SD70ACe)
Views:  236   Comments: 0
Its not the SD70s..
Title:  Its not the SD70s..
Description:  It's a "?" of smoke! Sandwiched inbetween SD70Ace's 4303 and -01, MRL254 blows smoke into the big sky of Muir at East Bozeman Summit...these 3 have just fishished pushing on BNSF coal and have started the easy drift back down to Livingston.
Photo Date:  9/29/2013  Upload Date: 12/4/2013 11:41:18 AM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4303(SD70ACe)
Views:  232   Comments: 0
MRL4303Set
Title:  MRL4303Set
Description:  Moments after backing off from thier train this MRL helper set starts back for 'home' in Livingston. [The smokin' culprits' the one in da middle...]
Photo Date:  9/29/2013  Upload Date: 12/18/2013 2:31:58 AM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster,Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4303(SD70ACe)
Views:  271   Comments: 0
MRL 4301set
Title:  MRL 4301set
Description:  MRL helpers 4301, 254, and 4303 do thier part to get the L.M. to Missoula. They're just a bit out of Livingston with a good bit of climb to go.
Photo Date:  9/29/2013  Upload Date: 12/5/2013 3:11:13 PM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4301(SD70ACe)
Views:  245   Comments: 0
MRL4303
Title:  MRL4303
Description:  This is why Montana is 'Big Sky' country! MRL 4303 and set [254 & 4301] drift down to Livingston after having pushed another westbounder to Bozeman Summit. The Absaroka range makes a perfect backdrop..
Photo Date:  9/28/2013  Upload Date: 12/7/2013 2:03:11 PM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  234   Comments: 2
MRL 4301
Title:  MRL 4301
Description:  MRL 4301 as part of a helper set is just about to conclude a rolling meet with an Eastbound BNSF'er..About another 2 miles and they'll be at Bozeman Summit and come off..
Photo Date:  9/29/2013  Upload Date: 12/18/2013 2:40:58 AM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4301(SD70ACe)
Views:  217   Comments: 0
MRL 4301 passing meet
Title:  MRL 4301 passing meet
Description:  Ace meets Ace!! Big action in the big sky..MRL 4301 concludes a rolling meet with BNSF 9112..satisfied all is as it should be 9112's engineer boards to get his train 'a rollin' east!
Photo Date:  9/29/2013  Upload Date: 12/18/2013 2:47:41 AM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4301(SD70ACe) BNSF 9112(SD70ACe)
Views:  391   Comments: 2
MRL 4315
Title:  MRL 4315
Description:  MRL 4315 with helper set drops back down the hill to Helena, passing an upbound BNSF freight which had stopped at Austin for the meet.
Photo Date:  9/27/2013  Upload Date: 12/18/2013 2:59:42 AM
Location:  Austin, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4315(SD70ACe)
Views:  183   Comments: 0
MRL 4302
Title:  MRL 4302
Description:  On a bright July afternoon MRL 4302 waits in helper service for its next assighnment.
Photo Date:  7/11/2008  Upload Date: 1/14/2014 10:48:35 PM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives: 
Views:  154   Comments: 0
mid train
Title:  mid train
Description:  A 4 Unit '70Ace Helper set helps to get this coal train over Mullan pass. Here they are on the inclined curve at Austin.
Photo Date:  11/27/2013  Upload Date: 12/18/2013 3:09:25 AM
Location:  Austin, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  175   Comments: 0
MRLRnds
Title:  MRLRnds
Description:  A group of MRL Vets sit on Livingston Shop's lead tracks awaiting thier assignments.. apperently the hostler had plenty of time as all units have been neatly arrainged to have thier posteriors digitally recorded for future reference!
Photo Date:  7/11/2008  Upload Date: 12/18/2013 3:17:08 AM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster,Yard
Locomotives:  MRL 322(SD45-2) MRL 215(SD40) MRL 356(SD45-2XR)
Views:  655   Comments: 0
MRL 311 356
Title:  MRL 311 356
Description:  The same group of MRL Vets from a different angle.
Photo Date:  7/11/2008  Upload Date: 1/15/2014 12:33:52 AM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  MRL 311(SD45-2) MRL 356(SD45-2XR)
Views:  551   Comments: 0
MRL 356LVg
Title:  MRL 356LVg
Description:  From the 'classic' era of MRL power, #356 shows a good 3/4 view from the embankment on Gallatin street. This photo is companion to the 'MRL Vets' and was a long time coming, as this and all my other photo files from this trip was for a long time, unaccessable due to a glitch with the SD card. Almost by accident, i tried loading the card to my camera and download from that, and SUCCESS!! Iwas able to retrieve those files and present them here, finally!!
Photo Date:  7/11/2008  Upload Date: 5/6/2014 1:18:05 AM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster,Yard
Locomotives:  MRL 356(SD45-2XR)
Views:  356   Comments: 0
MRL 317 325
Title:  MRL 317 325
Description:  MRL's 317 and 325 wait for service at the Livingston shops. The 325 seems to be ex. SP.
Photo Date:  7/11/2008  Upload Date: 1/14/2014 11:59:35 PM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  136   Comments: 0
MRL 403
Title:  MRL 403
Description:  A 'beaut in MRL blue, the 403 is seen at the small yard in Trident awaiting duty. The MRL is a fitting home system for this DRGW vet!
Photo Date:  9/26/2013  Upload Date: 12/18/2013 3:28:15 AM
Location:  Trident, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  MRL 403(GP35)
Views:  230   Comments: 0
MRL 1009
Title:  MRL 1009
Description:  Looking like an HO scale model, this true scale caboose sits in the yard at Trident.
Photo Date:  9/27/2013  Upload Date: 12/18/2013 3:39:25 AM
Location:  Trident, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  363   Comments: 1
MRL 310 Hlp Hln
Title:  MRL 310 Hlp Hln
Description:  Mullan Pass Helper power returns to Helena after working freight up on the hill. On this 2008 afternoon there was still a number of dash 2 SD's working with new 4300 series ACe's to keep things moving. The Hardscrabble hills form a backdrop for this beautiful afternoon.
Photo Date:  10/22/2008  Upload Date: 5/6/2014 1:48:30 AM
Location:  Helena, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MRL 310(SD45-2) MRL 314(SD45-2) MRL 351(SD45-2XR) MRL 304(SD45-2)
Views:  645   Comments: 0
MRL 254, 4301 Hln
Title:  MRL 254, 4301 Hln
Description:  MRL 254 paired with an SD45 negotiates the maze of track back to the fueling lead at Helena.
Photo Date:  10/22/2008  Upload Date: 5/6/2014 1:48:55 AM
Location:  Helena, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MRL 254(SD40-2XR) MRL 4301(SD70ACe)
Views:  486   Comments: 0
MRL 4303,05,07Hln
Title:  MRL 4303,05,07Hln
Description:  A helper set of 3 ACe's plus 2 SD45's wait to be called to duty. This downtime allows for the trailing 2 SD's to get a nice bath before going out again...a class act!!
Photo Date:  10/22/2008  Upload Date: 5/6/2014 1:49:31 AM
Location:  Helena, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MRL 4303(SD70ACe) MRL 4305(SD70ACe) MRL 4307(SD70ACe)
Views:  437   Comments: 0
MRL Helper sets, Helena
Title:  MRL Helper sets, Helena
Description:  2 Sets of MRL's finest await the call to helper duty at Helena's fueler/ready tracks on this fine october 2008 day..few, if any of thier hallmark SD40,45, and dash 2 units likely remain in service today..
Photo Date:  10/22/2008  Upload Date: 5/6/2014 1:50:08 AM
Location:  Helena, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MRL 4303(SD70ACe) MRL 4301(SD70ACe) MRL 326(SD45-2)
Views:  524   Comments: 0
Yellowstone Bridge
Title:  Yellowstone Bridge
Description:  The Yellowstone River bridge encases MRL's 253 and 4404 as they are released from helper duty for the eastbound ML. The crew is changing cabs and will quickly back into Livingston's yard.
Photo Date:  1/18/2015  Upload Date: 1/18/2015 10:44:43 PM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 253(SD40-2XR)
Views:  183   Comments: 0
Bozeman Hill
Title:  Bozeman Hill
Description:  Despite an onslaught of 'stinging BB's from the skies', I was able to catch this 3 unit help set shoving on a WB BNSF freight closing in on Muir..Of course, MRL helpers always sound the best!!!!
Photo Date:  1/16/2015  Upload Date: 1/18/2015 11:09:28 PM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4301(SD70ACe) MRL 256(SD40-2XR)
Views:  245   Comments: 0
MRL MoW
Title:  MRL MoW
Description:  MRL 100855 AOL crane and boom tender car 100410 parked mid yard at Livingston. Seems every day yards crews would move it somewhere around the yard..
Photo Date:  1/17/2015  Upload Date: 1/24/2015 5:39:43 PM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  311   Comments: 2
MRL MoW
Title:  MRL MoW
Description:  Surprisingly, MRL 100855 is new here! It was spotted near the through main tracks in Livingston Yard on a sunny mid morning. Nice to see well cared for equiptment!
Photo Date:  1/17/2015  Upload Date: 1/24/2015 5:37:05 PM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  232   Comments: 0
MRL MoW
Title:  MRL MoW
Description:  MRL 100410 is the boom tender car for 100855.
Photo Date:  1/17/2015  Upload Date: 1/24/2015 5:38:09 PM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  219   Comments: 0
Why MRL Blue is just awesome under the Big Sky...
Title:  Why MRL Blue is just awesome under the Big Sky...
Description:  These WB light helpers are stopped at the foot of Bozeman Hill waiting for an EB to pass. They will scoot on west to meet the ML somewhere past Belgrade before returning later in the day on ML's tail end.
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 1/26/2015 2:24:53 PM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4405(SD70ACe) MRL 253(SD40-2XR) MRL 4404(SD70ACe)
Views:  243   Comments: 0
Why MRL blue is just awesome in Sepia, too!
Title:  Why MRL blue is just awesome in Sepia, too!
Description:  Pointed west in the middle of an SD70 sandwich, MRL 253 looked really cool in this cropped in rendition.
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 4/2/2015 3:20:12 PM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  MRL 253(SD40-2XR)
Views:  129   Comments: 0
Matched set
Title:  Matched set
Description:  MRL's 4401 & 4400 make a capable pair handling this afternoon ML west into Livingston. A note here, the background hill just above 4400's cab forms the backdrop for the previous light helper shots. That view can be seen from roughly about where the truck stop is and a bit further west. That truck stop [Yellowstone] also has great diner seat views of all the action here!
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 4/2/2015 3:30:08 PM
Location:  Livingston, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4401(SD70ACe) MRL 4400(SD70ACe)
Views:  372   Comments: 0
1997? or 2015?
Title:  1997? or 2015?
Description:  A throwback, almost, to the 'Classic MRL' era, this awesome set of SD45's was the surprise of the day pulling into Columbus on my way home. Here the crew had separated the power from thier WB train {LM?} and pulled forward to the depot. When I pulled up they were clustered around on the catwalk making some 'adjustments' on 326's engine...then quickly finsihing up, backed up again the 1 block to thier train.
Photo Date:  1/20/2015  Upload Date: 2/24/2015 11:24:01 PM
Location:  Columbus, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Winter,Station
Locomotives:  MRL 326(SD45-2) MRL 355(SD45T-2M) MRL 329(SD45-2)
Views:  426   Comments: 0
1997? or 2015?
Title:  1997? or 2015?
Description:  Lights on, coupled back, and setting air, this awesome trio is about to rumble Columbus as they git it goin' SD style, out of town..in 2015 to see a '45, much more a pure set of them doing what they're meant to do, is a great honour and privalege to be witness of. Credit to MRL's maintenece that they didn't smoke it up either highballing out of town!
Photo Date:  1/20/2015  Upload Date: 2/24/2015 11:26:25 PM
Location:  Columbus, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 326(SD45-2) MRL 355(SD45T-2M) MRL 329(SD45-2)
Views:  696   Comments: 3
1997? or 2015?
Title:  1997? or 2015?
Description:  MRL 326 is a former SP; #8986, then 7555. I can recall seeing this one still in SP paint when MRL got it back in the 90's -traffic was such that they'd press 'em into service and paint em later...
Photo Date:  1/20/2015  Upload Date: 2/24/2015 11:25:05 PM
Location:  Columbus, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  MRL 326(SD45-2)
Views:  419   Comments: 1
1997? or 2015?
Title:  1997? or 2015?
Description:  MRL 355 is ex. BN 6558. If it wasn't for her current paint job, she would have completed the illusion of it being 1997..'love those Nikon optics!
Photo Date:  1/20/2015  Upload Date: 2/24/2015 11:27:15 PM
Location:  Columbus, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 355(SD45T-2M)
Views:  429   Comments: 3
1997? or 2015?
Title:  1997? or 2015?
Description:  329 is the grandma of the bunch, built 3/67 as SP 8878>7558. Into this winter increased traffic levels had kept several of MRL's otherwise stored 45's alive, it was an unexpected treat to see and hear them back in action for the time being.
Photo Date:  1/20/2015  Upload Date: 2/24/2015 11:27:53 PM
Location:  Columbus, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 329(SD45-2)
Views:  246   Comments: 0
Another Successful MRL helper run...
Title:  Another Successful MRL helper run...
Description:  My chase begins at O'Rea road crossing west of Livingston. BNSF 9304 and a borrowed CP lug thier end of this westbound coaler against the awesome backdrop of the Absoroka Range.
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 2/5/2015 3:54:57 PM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 9304(SD70ACe)
Views:  279   Comments: 2
Another Successful MRL helper Run...
Title:  Another Successful MRL helper Run...
Description:  It takes 6 minutes for the helper set to reach O'Rea..they may not be '45's but they sure do an awfully close rendition!!
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 2/5/2015 4:01:55 PM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4301(SD70ACe) MRL 256(SD40-2XR) MRL 4407(SD70ACe)
Views:  467   Comments: 1
Another Successful MRL helper Run...
Title:  Another Successful MRL helper Run...
Description:  29 minutes later the End of Train reaches Muir, our helper set is backed off and notching down as everyone drifts to a stop short of the tunnel.
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 2/5/2015 4:12:43 PM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Roster,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4301(SD70ACe) MRL 256(SD40-2XR)
Views:  302   Comments: 1
Another Successful Run...
Title:  Another Successful Run...
Description:  Barely moving, the whoe consist will stop in about 4 car lengths..
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 2/5/2015 4:19:00 PM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Scenic,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4301(SD70ACe)
Views:  258   Comments: 1
Another successful MRL helper run..
Title:  Another successful MRL helper run..
Description:  At almost a full stop, the sky darkens as snow begins to fall..
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 2/5/2015 4:24:38 PM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  MRL 4301(SD70ACe)
Views:  255   Comments: 1
Another successful run..
Title:  Another successful run..
Description:  Under a short but intense snowfall our MRL helpers disconnect from the DPU short of Bozeman Pass tunnel's east portal.
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 2/5/2015 4:25:09 PM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MRL 4301(SD70ACe) MRL 4407(SD70ACe) BNSF 5925(ES44AC)
Views:  490   Comments: 3
Another successful MRL helper run..
Title:  Another successful MRL helper run..
Description:  BNSF 5925 remains stationary as MRL 4301 gently rolls the now light set forward. 'Liked how the signal was positioned next to 5925's nose..
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 2/5/2015 4:26:19 PM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MRL 4301(SD70ACe) BNSF 5925(ES44AC)
Views:  196   Comments: 0
Another successful MRL helper run..
Title:  Another successful MRL helper run..
Description:  In only a few short minutes ES 44 BNSF 5925 rolls off and our MRL crew changes ends.. the snow ending as quickly as it started..
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 2/5/2015 4:27:21 PM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MRL 4301(SD70ACe) BNSF 5925(ES44AC)
Views:  208   Comments: 1
Another successful MRL helper run..
Title:  Another successful MRL helper run..
Description:  Mission accomplished, road lights come on and another helper move goes into the books as this crew nudge thier charges back east..
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 2/5/2015 4:28:01 PM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MRL 4301(SD70ACe) MRL 256(SD40-2XR) MRL 4407(SD70ACe)
Views:  482   Comments: 0
Another succesful MRL helper run..
Title:  Another succesful MRL helper run..
Description:  Just before 'tipping off the edge' and down the hill, our 3 unit helper fades into light snowfall. Dayllight is quickly coming to an end, and with that, another awesome photography day photographing an awesome stretch of railroad comes to an end!!
Photo Date:  1/19/2015  Upload Date: 2/5/2015 4:28:29 PM
Location:  Bozeman Pass, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MRL 4407(SD70ACe)
Views:  331   Comments: 0
MRL 500 MSO fuel rack
Title:  MRL 500 MSO fuel rack
Description:  Somewhat disparaged by local crews, yet MRL 500 makes a nice sight in the late afternoon Montana sun. The unit spends most of her time working the yard.
Photo Date:  9/20/2015  Upload Date: 6/21/2017 11:00:39 AM
Location:  Missoula, MT
Author:  Marty Pfohl
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  MRL 500(GP40)
Views:  1100   Comments: 0

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