A Summer in GN Country - June 23, 2011

Photo by Justin Franz

The Baby Builder: Amtrak No. 7 rolls into Whitefish, Montana. June 23, 2011.

Traffic is down, Amtrak is messed up. How long could this last?

To: All BNSF Customers

06/21/2011 Preliminary Report: Minot, North Dakota Area Flooding On Thursday, June 23, 2011 at approximately 1:00 a.m., BNSF plans to close the Minot, North Dakota area to rail traffic due to main track flooding. In a proactive measure to minimize delays, we have begun the process of rerouting trains. Preliminary estimates of delays are 24-48 hours. We will provide more information regarding the rerouting and flooding as information becomes available.

A Summer in GN Country - June 21, 2011

Photos by Justin Franz

It's been a long time since I updated this blog. And if history is an indication, it'll be a long time before I do again.

But lets give it a shot.

This summer I'm working as a reporter for the Flathead Beacon in Kalispell, Montana and living in nearby Whitefish. It's a great place to spend a summer and frankly I'd be fine with spending more than three months here, with attractions like Glacier National Park and the Great Northern Brewery at my doorstep.

But that isn't the only plus to living here. For the railfan, Whitefish is a BNSF crew change point at the base of the legendary Marias Pass line. With heavy traffic and stunning scenery, BNSF's Hi Line Subdivision is truly a railfan playground.

I've already spent a few days trackside and hope to spend many more. With that in mind I plan on updating this blog with images from my "Summer in GN Country."

Here are a few from today, June 20, 2011.

Enjoy!

A pair of BNSF GE's shove on the rear end of an eastbound freight near West Glacier, Montana, along the Flathead River.

One of the historic Glacier National Park Red Buses near Java, Montana.

A westbound BNSF grain train makes its way around a location call Ken Good Curve near West Glacier, Montana.

All Images Copyright 2011 - Justin Franz