Alta-Mont XXI - October 7, 2001
| Sunday was the second day of "organized" railfanning. The eastbound Amtrak Empire Builder and H-PASGAL were again the first trains to start the day, but westbound and more eastbound trains arrived during the rest of the day. Simply click on the thumbnail image to view a larger version or view all of the larger images in one page. - Paul Birkholz |
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Amtrak Number 8, the eastbound Empire Builder, glides through Marias, Montana in the early morning light. |
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Just a few minutes behind the Empire Builder, is the H-PASGAL1-06 led by BNSF 4780, 1081, and 5295. The manifest train was the first to start the ascent towards Marias Pass, but Amtrak glided right past it between Blacktail and Marias. |
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The H-PASGAL1-06 is nearly to the top of the Pass located between Marias and Summit. |
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BNSF 4780 East is coasting downhill east of Summit, MT with the southern peaks of Glacier National Park in the background. |
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The eastern approach to Marias Pass is more open than the west side of the Pass as seen here east of Bison, MT. |
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Eastbound trains still have a bit of climbing to do once they cross over Marias Pass. The H-PASGAL1-06 passes through Grizzley, MT after just crossing Two Medicine Bridge shown below. |
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The Z-CHCPTL2-05, a hot intermodal train between Chicago and Portland, rolls across the Two Medicine Bridge between Grizzley and Glacier Park, MT. This is possibly the most photographed barn in Montana. |
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The Z-trains usually have plenty of power to make good time over the continental divide. BNSF 4957 West is approaching Summit, MT at track speed. |
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The Z-CHCSSE8-05, another westbound, rolls through Johnson's curve west of Belton, MT. The interior of Glacier National Park is visible through the valley. |
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Manifest, grain, & intermodal |
Amtrak, manifest & Z-trains |
From Browning to Belton |
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