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Sunday, July 13th:
Time to do a little railfanning! First, a quick drive down to the ex-NP depot in
Helena to see what's going on.
  
Now up to Mullan Pass and the big curve at Austin. I hear a 5 chime horn in the
distance which magically materialized into brand new and spotless MRL 4408
leading the executive train down the hill!
    
Wow, what a catch on a sleepy Sunday morning! OK, up and over Mullan Pass. The
road goes under this massive (Greenhorn?) trestle on the way to the top.
   
Up at the summit (Blossburg on the NP), The Continental Divide sign gives us our
elevation and they are definitely cutting back the west side tunnel portal.
   
I trundle down the Mullan Pass road to US12. As I'm preparing to turn around, I
see an eastbound's headlight. I whip a U-turn and think, "I'll catch him up the
pass when he slows down.". Nope. This empty coal train was blasting up Mullan at
a good 45 mph and leaving me in the dust. I manage a parting shot of the DP unit
on the rear.
Instead, I back track, drive over McDonald Pass on US12, then rocket back up the
road towards Austin Curve.
I don't quite make it that far, but still get a decent shot of the train at a
crossing with Citirail CREX 1301 adding a nice splash of color.
    
OK, back to the convention. First let's take a look at the model contest!
    
Now on the Railfare swap meet - lots of good stuff on sale.
   
GNRHS's new President, Don McGlothin, welcomes us to the convention.
  
I watch Earl Currie's presentation on "Comparisons & Uses of Alternate Rail
Routes in Montana".
 
 
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