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2014 GNRHS Convention
Helena, Montana
Friday, July 11th through Wednesday July 16th
Come along with the ex-GNRHS webmaster as I make my way eastbound to the Helena
convention.
Friday, July 11th:
I followed the ex-NP mainline from east of Spokane to Sandpoint, ID after a
Thursday overnight in Spokane. The first stop was Bottle Bay Road just outside
Sandpoint for a beautiful view of the ex-NP trestle over Lake Pend Oreille
(pronounced "Pond-der-ay").
As I rolled up, I spotted a BNSF grain train stopped waiting its turn to cross
the trestle. This meant he was waiting for a westbound to cross. I hustled up to
the "spot" just in time to catch BNSF 4965 leading a loaded coal train headed
for Roberts Bank, BC.
The coal train finishes its roll by with a very nice BNSF 9830 in the "Grinstein
Green" scheme operating as the DP (Distributed Power) unit on the rear, pushing.
Minutes later, I can hear the grain train's units roaring to life and shortly
thereafter, BNSF 4770 leads the empties over Lake Pend Oreille.
BNSF 4326 brings up the rear of the eastbound grainer.
Decision time -- should I chase this train east as it may go over the MRL?
Nah...let's have a look around Sandpoint.
First of all, is this house on the way back to US95 with a fine assortment of
railroad gear displayed outside.
I'm guessing the fellow's name is "Sagle" (410 miles to Portland and 1852 miles
to Chicago) and an NP fan? Anyways, on into Sandpoint.
I want to see if the old GN passenger depot is still standing. I know it's
somewhere on the west side of town, so I wind my way thru neighborhood streets
to....hello...what's this?
GN 319499 box car in Big Sky Blue faded to a powder blue BUT - GN markings all
intact and not a lick of Cascade
green anywhere.
Quite a find in 2014. At the convention, Ben Ringnalda told me he thinks the
local short line uses it as a tool car, or for storage.
I finally found the old GN depot, still being used, basking in the morning sun.
It was a good thing I didn't try to chase the grain train as Hwy 200 is being
repaved most of the way thru Idaho with long waits for lane closures.
Consequently, I'm running a little behind for an evening arrival in Helena. The
"tunnel of trees" on this stretch doesn't help, although I see an empty coal
train (just the cars, no units) parked at Paradise, MT. Up and over Evaro Hill
to Missoula.
After gassing up and lunch, it's an easy punch over to Helena. Despite I-90
following the MRL for most of the way, I don't see a single train -- just lots
of track work and new signals being installed.
Soon I reach Montana's capital city and check in to the Best Western Great
Northern.
 
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