Montana Rail Link’s Bitterroot branch (also known as the Darby branch) local passes over some backwaters of the Bitterroot River north of Florence, Montana, on May 18, 2013. This line had high water and washout problems in the spring of 2011, and MRL filed notice of intent to discontinue service on the line later that year. In spring of 2012, the railroad worked out an agreement with Ravalli county and shippers on the line to resume operations. Currently, the branch operates on Saturdays using the Paradise local’s power when it returns to Missoula for weekend servicing. Here, MRL GP9 Nos. 127 and 113 bring the train of two loaded hopper cars, separated by two empty boxcar “idlers,” for the current end of the branch at Victor.
