Montana Rail Link sold to BNSF

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David Collins
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Montana Rail Link sold to BNSF

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Raildudes dad
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Re: Montana Rail Link sold to BNSF

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Not a sale, ending their lease with BNSF "After careful consideration, we have decided to conclude our long-term lease with BNSF Railway.

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DaveO
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Re: Montana Rail Link sold to BNSF

Unread post by DaveO »

Another case where the news media fails the basic intelligence test.
The letter is clear they are ending the lease.
But someone determined is was really a sale.
And the next media site saw the story and ad nauseum.

Anyway, it certainly is an interesting development.

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Re: Montana Rail Link sold to BNSF

Unread post by ConrailDetr​oit »

The Mission Mountain RR (Watco operated) ended their lease with BNSF of the line between Columbia Falls and Kalispell last year.

The overall pattern has been divestment of the lower density branch lines by the Class 1s. The re-acquirement of these two particular RRs by a Class 1 is an interesting oddity.

Regardless, from a foamer perspective, better off reacquired by the Class 1 and operated with boring engines, than not reacquired and abandoned due to duplicate route, not worth it for bottom line numbers, lack of social connection to the local community, etc.

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