Firecrown Trains Montana Rail Link

Special Edition #2 2025

Celebrate the rise and legacy of the Montana Rail Link with this special edition from Trains magazine.

Featuring 12 memorable articles, plus exclusive detailed maps, this issue traces the launch, growth, and evolution of a highly distinctive and much-respected railroad.

Step into the heart of Big Sky Country and experience the rise, reign, and legacy of one of America’s most respected regional railroads, the Montana Rail Link.

Trains magazine presents an 84-page tribute to the Montana Rail Link, a 592-mile railroad that carved its own path through the Rockies for over three decades before merging into the BNSF system. This special issue is a must-have for rail enthusiasts, featuring 12 unforgettable stories from the top rail writers and photographers in the industry.

From behind-the-scenes views inside the MRL locomotive shop to tales of how this small-but-mighty railroad fielded some of the nations most powerful locomotives, this collectors edition revisits the moments that made MRL legendary. With detailed maps, rare photography, and expert storytelling, this is the ultimate send-off for a one-of-a-kind railroad.

FEATURES:

• 31 years on the MRL, by Justin Franz
• Big power for the little guys, by Eric Powell
• Fortuity in Montana, by Tom Danneman
• Upriver from Paradise, by Bruce Kelly
• Backstage at Livingston Shops, by Tom Danneman