Actually, for Carter, MT, about 10 mi. north of GF. The local grain loaders at Carter are working with BNSF to increase capacity from 52-car trains to 110-car shuttles. That means more traffic on the old GN Great Falls-Havre line!! It was on the local news this evening, apparently BNSF has agreed to do this, I dunno when this will happen, but I assume it will require sidings lengthened, and other track maintenance to be stepped-up, as the line has deteriorated over the years, and the branch is laid with lighter rail, in the 90-115# range. We'll see when this service starts, hopefully, I can bag some shots! There's a stiff grade leaving Great Falls northbound to Carter, unknown how steep, but 52 cars trains have 4 BNSF Geep wrung out pretty good. if they keep to 4-axle engines, I expect that count to double or more. I guess they could also assign SD40-2's to the run as well. Either way, that's a LOT of tonnage for this light branch!!
Looks like the potential of a good subject for an HO or N model of a modern Branch line. Keep us posted and yes, pictures are mandatory:shade: . Jim
Hmmm. Sounds like a potential abandonment forthcoming.... They never should have severed that line. :sad: Boxcab E50
Agreed--when they pulled rails from Ft. Benton to Big Sandy, they did a disservice to themselves by losing yet another thru route to GF. With the Helena line washed-out, and the Havre line cut, we're left with only 2 routes in--from Shelby, and from Billings. If the 'Turkey Track' to Shelby or the Billings line has a problem....
