While Montana Rail Link will be getting out of the railroad business by shifting operations to Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the Missoula-based company will still control considerable real estate. That includes some important, but currently unused branch lines in Western Montana.
During the most recent meeting of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA), spokesman Jon Bennion explained MRL will be exiting the railroad business as it ends its lease on Montana’s “Southern Route” and turns operations over to BNSF. The exception is a short line it will continue to operate in southern British Columbia.