detoured more
than Hi Line Subdivision.
While BNSF’s line across Montana was threatened by fire, MRL’s former Northern Pacific route was untouched, but that didn’t mean fires were not burn- ing nearby. West of Alberton, the West Fork Fish Creek Fire burned thousands of acres on the Lolo National Forest, and near Noxon multiple fires forced the evacuation of homes in the area.
Fresh Paint for Geeps, SD45-2s Return
Two of Montana Rail Link’s vintage GP9s were repainted into the company’s current “red ball” scheme during summer 2015. Locomotives Nos. 115 (built 1951 for the Chicago Great Western) and 131 (built in 1952 for the Chicago & North Western) returned to the railroad in July and August after being painted by Western Rail, Inc., in Washington. The two locomotives bring the total number of GP9s repainted on MRL to seven, ensuring that the classic EMDs will be riding the rails for years to come. Meanwhile, two of MRL’s classic SD45-2s made a temporary return to active duty in July and August. No. 332 (built for Erie Lackawanna as an SDP45) was pushed into passenger service over the summer to lead a private business train across the railroad. MRL No. 382 (built as an SD45 for the Seaboard Coast Line in 1971), was pulled out of storage and pressed into helper and local service in the Helena area. Both locomotives were still active as of September 1.
40 trains
via
MRL, including high-priority Z-trains, which
would normally stay on the
REGIONALS/SHORTLINES WEST GARLAND MCKEE
Loan Denied to Apache Railway
Apache Railway continues the fight to hang on. Currently, Hackman Capital Partners wants to foreclose on the rail- way to recoup the $7 million short term loan it provided the Snowflake Commu- nity Foundation in 2012 to purchase the railway. Hackman has already scrapped the former Catalyst Paper mill, which closed in 2012. The railway is actually making a profit, but not enough to pay off the loan.
The Snowflake Community Founda- tion had put the railway in bankruptcy protection in hopes of stalling until a loan could be secured. An application was filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in June, but was denied in September. Local officials are trying to appeal the decsion, but time is running out. Hackman announced it would be moving forward with a creditor’s liquida- tion auction by the end of November.
Six County Project Approved
On August 31, the Surface Transporta- tion Board granted the Six County As- sociation of Governments final approv- al — after 14 years — to construct and operate a new 43-mile railroad in central Utah between Salina and a connection with the Union Pacific near Juba. The railroad will provide rail service to var- ious industries, primarily the Southern Utah Fuel Company coal mine located 30 miles northeast of Salina. The railroad is
expected to remove up to 750 truck round trips a day from the area roads. Six Coun- ty is an association of local governments of Sevier, Juab, Sanpete, Millard, Piute, and Wayne Counties.
V&S Railway
V&S has finally made it official and has filed to abandon the Towner Line between milepost 747.5 at Towner and milepost 869.4 at NA Junction, Colo., a distance of 121.9 miles. V&S has previ- ously received permission to discontinue service over the line since no local traffic has moved over the line in at least two years. Provided no one files an offer of financial assistance or to purchase the line, the abandonment would be effec- tive September 20. However, the Col- orado Wheat Administrative Commit- tee, the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers, the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation, and KCVN, LLC have filed a complaint alleging that V&S has vio- lated certain laws by removing track and related assets from the western segment of the Towner Line over which the Board had previously permitted V&S to dis- continue service, but not abandon. This segment of the Towner Line extends be- tween milepost 808.3 near Haswell and milepost 868.5 at NA Junction. KCVN and its subsidiary Colorado Pacific have also filed to have the aban- donment date extended so it can obtain the necessary information from V&S re- garding cost and any conditions imposed by Union Pacific or the state upon its sales and any real estate appraisals, as- sessments of the quality and quantity of track material, and any removal cost as well as arrange an inspection of the line.
Claremont & Concord Farewell
Genesee & Wyoming recently completed its acquisition of New Hampshire shortline Claremont & Concord at the end of summer 2015, integrating its operations into the connecting New England Central. Former CCRR employee Leo Landry organized this special night photo event with help from Steve Carlson on August 29. Left to right are past employee Leo Landry and present exployees Dick Gassett and Wilder Moffit. CCRR Alco S-4 No. 105 was built by MLW for Canadian National as No. 8032.
PHOTO BY GARY KNAPP
14 NOVEMBER 2015 •
RAILFAN.COM
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