Darby branch back in business

[flint creek mp23]

MRL ran the first train down the Darby branch on Saturday, May 19 following the cessation of service that began last June when high water in the Bitterroot River made some ROW segments questionable. The towns and customers along the line were able to work with MRL to restore service. The first train had 11 loads with 11 idler boxcars in between each load. Made for a photo-worthy train.

Brent

 

[GE Power]

Very nice. The last one especially so.

Good to see the branch back in service.

 

[SP&SFan]

Very neat photos Brent!!!! Nice to see that the customers and the MRL get that branch opened again..


SP&SFan

 

[Rayonier]

Why were there idler cars used exactly in this case?

 

[flint creek mp23]

Why were there idler cars used exactly in this case?

The idler cars are necessary because Bridge 4 south of Missoula has some issues and MRL wants any loads separated by an empty car.

 

[Kevin WS]

Brent.

Nice shots. The last one is a real cracker!

 

[Vic Guy]

Great photos! Always nice to hear dormant branch lines coming back to life. Are there plans to fix bridge 4?

 

[brad_in_omaha]

Awesome Shots and Awesome news!

 

[Alien]

It is good to see the Darby branch back in business - hope MRL did not loose customers as a result of the branch being out of service. Are things now back to normal on the Darby branch? Is there any news on the Polson branch?

 

[flint creek mp23]

No lost customers as a result of the embargo. The co-op in Hamilton receives their grain loads at Victor now, where service ends.

No news on the Polson branch as far as service returning. I wish the customers and communities would be more pro-active about getting service restored similar to the Bitterroot valley folks. The state and MRL did upgrade a crossing in Ronan, though.

http://www.valleyjournal.net/Article/3005/Ronan-railway-crossing-gets-upgrade


Brent