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. - 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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