After the passage of a thunderstorm, it’s still raining as a westbound BNSF unit oil train climbs the 2.2 percent grade up Mullan Pass between Austin and Weed, Montana, on the afternoon of July 6, 2022. BNSF GE ET44C4 No. 3904 and GE C44-9W No. 1119 put what traction they can down on the wet rails as the locomotives grind through Iron Ridge, while a four pack of Montana Rail Link EMD SD70ACe manned helpers lean into the middle of the train below on the large horse shoe curve approaching the colorful cut.
