Congestion on Mullan Pass

This is a long video: 21 minutes. I had looked at cutting it, but it shows the whole event and there really wasn't anywhere to chop too much.
First: A helper set from a previous westbound train is sitting at the east end of the siding at Austin. While a loaded westbound grainer is approaching from Helena, an eastbound empty coal is coming down the hill. The eastbound must tuck into the siding behind the helper set and allow the westbound to pass. Once the tail of the westbound passes the switch, the helper set gets clearance. As soon as he is on his way, the eastbound empty coal gets going with a jerk. All of my videos are available under a creative commons license. Use as you wish

[@redbarnz]

I have stood at the Austin Road crossing and marveled at how the BNSF engines seemingly defy gravity and march up the steep mountain with non-stop motion. A tribute to the men and machines that tackle this difficult ex-Northern Pacific mainline. Well done!

[@ScottHiddelston]

Thanks David. Very roughly, gross weight would be 125 cars at 140 tons plus 8 locos at 200 equals around 19,000 U.S. tons. 125 cars at 53ft plus 8 locos at 60ft equals around 7100 feet. The siding the empty descending eastbound is slipping into, behind the helper set, is 9700 feet long. Yes there are level crossings, one just downhill of the helper set where the siding ends, and one at the bend to the right. You can hear the horns blowing on each train as they approach it. Been stuck many times

[@geraldquinn3855]

I spent a good part of a day railfanning this piece of MRL and stood at the road crossing at Austin where the train blows for the crossing. The bridges up to the tunnel are also well worth photographing. I didn't think to come up to this hillside so I'm glad you did and shared it with us!

[@ScottHiddelston]

+Gerald Quinn I think MRL has done a bit of housecleaning security-wise, and I believe they keep the gate to this location closed and locked now. Same with the one to the east side of Skyline Trestle. A shame, but a reflection on the times I guess. Thanks for commenting.

[@RailfanNoah]

I've watched this video along with many of your others countless times! You truly have put out some great work, Scott!

[@ScottHiddelston]

Railfan Noah thanks Noah. Glad you enjoyed them.

[@FireCaptE9]

Another outstanding work, Scott..That sure was a long grainer..You woulda thunk that it would have had a couple pushers on the end of it vs. the empty eastbounder having two...great railfan spot!!

[@carlosturren2683]

¡ Como me gustarìa vivir en este hermoso y apacible valle y poder ver estas maravillas ferroviarias !. Muchas gracias.

[@RaulHernandez-cn7it]

Carlos Turren Tienes razón esto es maravilloso Gracias a scott por estos hermosos videos 😀😀

[@justRayEvansopinion]

Many thanks for the comment Scott. It was the railroads that opened up the American west in the 19th century and they are just as important today, especially given the congestion on the freeways. Great videos, my compliments.

[@gerritzylstra7331]

Ray Evans d

[@johnpenaaa953]

Beautiful scenery, love the video. Nice camerawork.

[@MT_Madman]

Awesome vid, while living in MT I never fanned the Mullen and now wish I did. I gotta get back up there!

[@crw92129]

Thank you. There's nothing like that in San Diego, I enjoyed every bit of it. That was beautiful. Trains. Mountains. Trees. Awesome.

[@barbaragrimes813]

I don't know if you will get this message but I grew up in Austin. My dad was the Signal Maintainer from Helena to Blossberg Tunnel. We moved there in 1953-4 and dad moved to Helena to take the section from Helena to Lombard. He had 43 yrs with Northern Pacific and then BNSF. These videos are very nostalgic to me. Our house was the Signal Maintainer house that used to be where the crossing in Austin is now. It was split down the middle for his helper. Barb Grimes Lincoln, MT

[@LeeDfined]

This just may be THE BEST railfanning video I have ever seen.

[@ScottHiddelston]

Earth Boy Sun And Rain. Thank you Earth Boy !!!!

[@lgnlint]

The raw power these engines produce never ceases to amaze me.

[@kraigkasten]

great work, really shows what goes into getting a train over the mountains!

[@terryashton3541]

This is a splendid video and looking at these empty coal trains and their tremendous length I would imagine a fully loaded coal train would be around 20.000 tons plus, no wonder you use 7 or eight locos to pull that lot, it speaks volumes for the power of these locos, over here in Australia we have long coal trains but I think our limit is 13.000 tons.

[@torquetrain8963]

Perhaps, but you guys in Australia still have the world record for heaviest train at around 100,000 tons.

[@donnebes9421]

Cool to see that old Santa Fe loco there. I’m not good at recognizing individual models but I liked it. Actually liked the whole video. This guy puts out great ones.

[@dougberry1011]

Great video. You could have even run longer for me as there was another train coming down behind the empty coal train. This brings back memories for me when I was a young diesel mechanic in BC. We had 2 16V71T’s running the exhaust fans at the Connaught Tunnel in the Rogers Pass on the CP main line. Spent many a day up there on engine change outs and repairs at all hours of the day. If one of the engines went down we had to get there to fix them and it was a good 4 hour drive from our shop in Kamloops. The Connaught Tunnels is 5 miles long and the big squirrel cage fans pushed the exhaust out of the tunnel. Back then (late 70’s) the heavy coal trains were running 3 SD40-2’s on the front, 3 more with a robot car in the middle and then they would add 6 more at Rogers Station to push them up the east side of Mt McDonald into the tunnel. CP finally built the 10 mile Mt. McDonald tunnel to reduce the grade for all the heavy westbound traffic and the lighter eastbound trains continued to use the Connaught Tunnel. Once again thanks for the good video.

[@FishplateFilms]

Good to see someone using zoom and pan!,great composition and use of location!

[@richardmeade5907]

Thanks for the video ,must have taken a while to film loved the sound of the 7 engines ,pull push and brakeing

[@CGT867]

Another excellent video Scott. For us in Australia its amazing to see such huge trains being worked over such difficult terrain. Also our newest equivalent GE and EMD locos are muffled down and a lot quieter than those in your videos.

[@robmaciver5093]

Don't know why you call this a "long" video! The length is just fine, especially considering the subject. Fascinating!

[@johnmoore8016]

beautiful country looking at it on a large screen. Thanks for a very good video.

[@ScottHiddelston]

John Moore thanks for the comment John.

[@leroyreimer257]

Amazing to watch! Very nice video!

[@WestCoastRails]

Nice, another awesome video!! I really like how you capture the engine sounds as there is no other back ground noises, like traffic, crossing bells, etc.... Your giving my subwoofer a good work out!!! Awesome work! Glad I found you and Subscribed WCR

[@ScottHiddelston]

I agree. How many people don't even give them a second glance, yet they are an amazing piece of technology.

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

great train video ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@keithgrafton3067]

A great decision not to cut the video length the filming quality was first class. The main thing you did was tell a story and what a story you told great sound effects and a great show of trains. Well done!

[@ScottHiddelston]

+Keith Grafton Thanks very much for the kind words Keith. I appreciate it.

[@TheNclandbroker]

Some of the best camera work I've seen on here. Looks very professional.

[@MrSnowy79]

Its good being able to see the whole thing. Nice footage and great sound. You've earned a sub :)

[@ScottHiddelston]

MrSnowy79 Thanks Snowy. I appreciate it

[@ScottHiddelston]

@iusetano Thanks Hans. Appreciate it. Its a great spot to sit and wait. And there's lots of time from when you first hear the trains until they arrive so its easy to get set up.

[@wendymcfadyen-allerby6142]

I am glad you did not cut it, tyvm

[@j.m.youngquist419]

I use to worry about my legacy, what I accomplish in my life until a friend of mine told me that my work had and continues to build America. That's right I was a Railroader and proud of the many years of blood, sweat and tears that I put in for 3 very different Railroads. The Denver & Rio Grand, Southern Pacific and the Union Pacific. It was a lot more than just a job but a way of life.

[@whiteknightcat]

Thank you!

[@ombey88ombey70]

Wonderful video.... Good job.. brother....

[@RaulHernandez-cn7it]

Genial scott Me encantan todos tus videos 😀 gracias por compartirlos 👏👏👏👍

[@angelfalero5992]

Excelente video y hermoso paisaje....

[@ScottHiddelston]

@edeltster Thanks. Really enjoyed being there. Back again soon!

[@allanegleston13]

boy. that grain train heading e.a.s.t sure had a lot of cars . loved the rear helper really pushing .

[@ScottHiddelston]

+allan egleston Thanks Allan. That grain drag was actually heading west, most likely to Tacoma WA for shipping to Asia.

[@nightrider6769]

Damn I've never seen a train that long before. cool video.

[@ScottHiddelston]

Thanks Bill. Yes this is west of Helena, at Austin.

[@Adidasdude74]

Awesome location!!

[@ScottHiddelston]

@FireCaptE9 Thanks Jim. That empty coal train keeps those locos throughout the loop, from mine to port.

[@TheMetGuy]

Love the Warbonnets!

[@ScottHiddelston]

@Clockman5 Thanks Clockman. I'll be looking for steam on that hill for sure.

[@hansolepetersen3573]

Outstanding video and sound :-) Glad you dont cut it Hans Ole Denmark

[@ScottHiddelston]

+Hans Ole Petersen Thank you Hans

[@gabyhernandez6981]

Gran video muy bueno

[@seaboardsystemproductions9714]

Very nice!!! 💯

[@ScottHiddelston]

Absolutely. I used a Canon xf100 with the standard lens. It has a 10x optical zoom. I also used a Vinten Vision Blue tripod, which I feel contributed a great deal to the video. Thanks for commenting.

[@Hornhausen]

Very nice video.

[@MultiSuperman800]

Great Video. Loved It!

[@ScottHiddelston]

+MultiSuperman800 Thank you superman

[@SCLModeler]

Those MRL 70M-2’s won’t be able to pull a greasy string out of a mosquito’s behind when they get done with them 🤣

[@Cristianoefc]

Awesome scenary and lash ups!

[@broman700]

Great video!

[@robertheinkel6225]

Are those helpers manned or unmanned?

[@ScottHiddelston]

Mid-train helpers are manned. Rear locomotives are DPU.

[@ScottHiddelston]

@1998ChevroletS10 Apologies for the long delay in answering Yes that was one of the two regular helper sets based at Helena, both almost always consisting of 4 SD70ACe's. However I hear an SD40 has been added to both sets, although I don't know if this is a permanent thing. It used to be 5 ACE's, but they cut back to 4 and may be having powers problems. Thanks for watching

[@JohnnysTrainVideos]

Great catch....

[@edeltster]

Great job! Excellent video! Fantastic ;)

[@neilscwerdt2012]

It was very nice photos you take I wish that I was there to

[@ScottHiddelston]

+Neil Scwerdt Thanks Neil

[@FXE4567]

Amazing and Beautifull Video my fryend awesome congratulacions

[@ScottHiddelston]

+FERRO JUAN Thanks Ferro Juan.

[@islawilliams9572]

great catch, u.k.

[@cliffleigh7450]

Great video work - almost like being there! I wonder if that house in the background is for sale?

[@Angry.General1461]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I hear the locomotives in the middle and at the rear are controlled by remote. Or do they have a driver?

[@ScottHiddelston]

The Angry General the rear one is controlled by the engineer in the lead, and the mid train helpers have their own crew

[@yhailotsymbal9260]

Nice video!Greetings from Ukraine!

[@ScottHiddelston]

ЖД канал thank you!! Happy to have you viewing from Ukraine!!

[@rosewhite---]

What is that lovely pale blue car sat in yard at 9:53? P.S I'm in UK and we don't have any freight trains these days as we import everything and use road transport but when I was little the whole UK was mad about trains and we we used to sit by the tracks watching the old steam trains chugging by with long lines of 10ton coal trucks.

[@ScottHiddelston]

+Rose White According to my car-buff buddy, that is a 1970-1973 Chevy Camaro. Good eye !! I'm from UK also, East Kilbride near Glasgow. Moved here in 1980. Loved trains over there also. My first experience over here was an SP train with SD45T tunnel motors absolutely thrashing its way up Donner Pass. Unforgettable. That was me hooked. Thanks for commenting.

[@ScottHiddelston]

Hi Haisano. Yours was a question I had: How could the helpers make it into the siding then the eastbound freight occupy the same block. Wish I had an answer but hopefully someone more knowledgeable can inform us. Thanks for commenting

[@DL541]

Dispatchers can "talk" a train by a stop signal, when they do, usually whatever was talked by proceeds at restricted speed. I also believe MRL uses intermediate signals, signals in the middle of a siding or mainline section to allow more options on train control.

[@kealoa9]

How long are those trains and how heavy? I am guessing the must be about 2 miles long and around 16 000 tons based on my experience as a loco fireman with WESTRAIL in Australia years ago. Just as well there isn't a level crossing in the middle of that crossing..., I'd hate to be in a TAXI waiting to cross to the other side after that effort. Great Video. David

[@vettefan87]

Just wondering, but the back end of the second unit of the grainer looks like its been in a fire or something. Gotta get my dad to see this stuff. He's a retired BNSF dispatcher. Well....... maybe not. It might give him flashbacks. LOL

[@RRYankfan]

That BNSF SD70Ace is probably like "do i really sound that good?"

[@rubencruz36]

Nice video I love it

[@lelomiliken7598]

Awesome!👍👍

[@tjyumoto9899]

scott, if you don't mind can you share the locations for each shot here?

[@ScottHiddelston]

TJ Yumoto These shots were taken at Austin, Montana. Follow the railroad tracks northwest out of Helena for about 12 miles and you will be there. Its the first of two hairpin turns at that point. If you mean the exact spot, cross the tracks at Austin and drive 1/4 mile further up the hill then take a right on a small dirt road and follow it to the tracks. Climb the hill and you're there. Thanks for watching.

[@asd67lkj]

Great camera work. Can I ask what camera/lens combo you used?

[@littleblitz8239]

OK, here's the dumb question of the week. How do they bend the rails for the curves as I've seen them made and they come out straight? How many cars are they pulling?

[@wesolint]

The ridged-ness, hardness, or however you view it, is a perception of the mind. Anything in length, at some point, will start to bend. This is true of the continous welded rail and it is locked in place with wood or concrete ties and their associated hardware. I have worked as a railroad employee for BN and am currently employed in metal fabrication for the last 21 years. P.S. not a dumb question :o)

[@Narpets2112]

Great video, thanks for posting. This is just west of Helena?

[@herbscheit2061]

Queen Modusclean running engines!

[@justRayEvansopinion]

Someone must have had to work out how long the passing road is and how many cars such a road could accommodate both ways at once. I assume there must be some radio or communication system to tell the prime movers at either end and middle when to start and stop.

[@ScottHiddelston]

+Ray Evans The locos at the front and rear are controlled by the engineer in the lead loco. The middle ones are manned separately and operate on radio directions by the engineer in front. Thanks for watching

[@ljones121]

Scott Hiddelston I thought MRL ran all manned helpers for the BNSF trains when using MRL power?

[@trainzaholic]

I cant tell from a distance, but are those MRL SD45s or SD40-2XRs?

[@doughall4688]

Nice camera work

[@trainzaholic]

It probably is, but I just couldnt tell.

[@vettefan87]

I stopped the video and looked at it a little closer. It's just an old Santa Fe unit that looks pretty faded and dirty. Need to put on my glasses when I watch thees things. LOL

[@coolschool200]

nice job

[@TheRailfan32]

awesome!

[@ScottHiddelston]

+Matt Winkeler Thank you Matt

[@dalehedrick4530]

Awesome

[@ScottHiddelston]

Thanks for commenting!

[@jstoli996c4s]

EMD power 💪

[@billr991]

More great camera work!

[@cesararellano9220]

excelente

[@ScottHiddelston]

Yes I bet it is !. Or maybe, "thank God I got sold to BNSF where the work is a lot easier. Thanks for commenting

[@mikeday62]

Can they control the turnouts from inside the locomotive?.....or do they use their cell phone?

[@ljones121]

Mike Day actually the switches are usually dispatcher controlled from fort Worth Texas, or were ever BNSF dispatches this line out of.

[@amtrak1008]

looks like SD70ACe's to me.

[@ScottHiddelston]

@vettefan87 Wish I could say, although it certainly is dirty looking. Maybe your dad will know !

[@ОлегКукушкин-с8п]

вот это составы, блин такого на наших дорогах при этом кризисе не увидишь. вот и видно экономику страны. ну удачи всем ....

[@ScottHiddelston]

+Олег Кукушкин Спасибо за комментарий Олег

[@allanegleston13]

listen to the dynamic brake fans hum.

[@ScottHiddelston]

+allan egleston They have 15 miles of 2.2% downhill to hold. I love to hear them too. Thanks Allan

[@trainzaholic]

At the beginning

[@rejabboussifi7039]

jaime les usa