According to many reports from BNSF people in my area, the branch line from Columbia Falls, to Kalispell, Montana, will soon have a new operator. There was also another segment of track in the county that may be included in this. We're waiting to learn if it is true. Sources say the company will be Watco. And that an engine, or two, will be delivered this month to the area. I'm sure it will have some unromantic, disassociated name for the operation. Very briefly- The line from Columbia Falls to Kalispell, was once part of the Great Northern Railway transcontinental main line. A shorter route, with less gradient, and eliminating the troublesome Haskell Pass tunnel, was opened through Whitefish in 1904. Thereafter, the line between Jennings and Kalispell was then slowly cut back to Kalispell. There are several shippers still on line. Mostly in or near Kalispell. The largest is our local grain shipper. Although one other was lost last month, when they tired of fighting state government here in "business friendly" (Not!) Montana. And moved operations to another state. Good bye more decent paying jobs! This was a company that used chip cars. And where we could occasionally see unrepainted GN and NP! Gone. So, if this does happen, there'll soon be some BNSF folks from Whitefish trying to bump in somewhere else in the system. Boxcab E50
If one were to hire out, you could perform bridge maintenance, drive some spikes and who knows what else while you wait for opposing traffic. watco
More info. They bought the Eureka Branch. And leased the Kalispell Branch. Startup may be as soon as next week. Boxcab E50
