Central Montana

Company History: The 84 mile CMR was launched in 1985 as the designated operator of a state owned line between a connection with the Burlington Northern at Moccasin, Montana and Geraldine. The state took possession of the line when Burlington Northern abandoned the route in 1983. The line is of Great Northern and Milwaukee Road heritage and includes a quartet of large steel trestles and a relatively long (2,000 foot) tunnel. In addition to freight service, the CM hosts a dinner train. Power is provided by six GP9’s, all originally built for Great Northern (and apparently still set up for long-hood-forward operation which was the standard on GN.) High water in 2011 damaged the trestle over the Judith River, severing the railroad. However, the state, who still owns the line, has pledged four million dollars to repair the bridge and re-open freight service. Given that the area farmers reportedly save a million dollars a year in transportation costs by using the railroad, the bridge repairs will pay for themselves in the long run.

Brief History: The U.S. is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. Major Atlantic Coast cities are New York, a global finance and culture center, and capital Washington, DC. Midwestern metropolis Chicago is known for influential architecture and on the west coast, Los Angeles' Hollywood is famed for filmmaking.