Railroads of Montana

The slogan ‘The Last Best Place’ certainly describes well the huge state of Montana, which stretches some 630 miles across and is located in the north-western United States. Three railroad main lines once spanned its width, but the unfortunate abandonment of the Milwaukee Road left only the Great Northern and Northern Pacific routes, now Burlington Northern, to move the tonnage. Union Pacific also reached into the state from Utah in the southwest, the earliest line built into the territory by predecessors arriving in mineral-rich Butte in 1881.Today, over 3,000 miles of track cross Montana through ‘Big Sky Country’, climbing magnificent mountain passes and sweeping across the great prairies that prevail in the eastern portion of the territory. Dynamic BNSF dominates the railroad scene, with remarkable Montana Rail Link providing an important link in Montana railroading. UP and several short line operators provide added colour to the trains in the ‘Treasure State,’ making the railroads of Montana a visual gem.

Mike Danneman is a freelance photographer, writer and artist with a lifelong interest in trains. Mike was art director for Trains Magazine from 1990 to 1995, and is also the author of eight books. Mike and his wife Katie, also an artist, live in Colorado, where they enjoy spending time with their two horses and two dogs.