I do not know frequency, I am certain they do. To Silver Bow. I was just there today, and it sure looked like UP tracks were still in service.
Thanks. I am flying into Idaho Falls in August and will have half a day before my friends arrive. I thought it might be cool to video trains at the pass which is about an hour and a half away. It appears the rail line parallels the interstate all the way to the pass.
OK. I received an response via an industry contact. I'm told UP is operating five days a week, M-F, to Silver Bow, and possibly even seven days. There is certainly enough business up there, And if there is more along the line, that would seem to be accurate. I need to get down there and chase!
Sounds to me like Monida Pass is on a branchline much similar to Lookout Pass on NPs Wallace Branch. Am I correct on this?
Well, essentially it is a branch. But it is not the same type of physical challenge the NP faced. It is heavier railed and better graded. At one time, had a lot more customers along the route than the NP Wallace Branch, which were mostly at Mullan and the Wallace end. At one time the UP ran both passenger and freight into Butte, but pulled back to Silver Bow, when Butte mining was fading years back. UP was trying to sell the line a while ago, but business has picked up again at Silver Bow, as the Port of Montana facilities have grown.
The only line I heard that Uncle Pete was trying to sell was the Plummer Line. Is this on that line or completely different. I dont follow UP as the whole trademarking left a bad taste in my mouth with them. Ryan
This line is not at all close to the Plummer line. Which I believe is still available? The line originally in topic comes up to Silver Bow, Montana, (just west of Butte), from southeast Idaho.
