railroad

As the potential strike deadline approach, Montana Rail Link officials said a shutdown would have local impacts and limit its ability to interchange freight traffic to its Class 1 rail partners.

The coalition working to restore passenger rail service to southern Montana gained another member this month and in doing so, it secured a continuous block of counties stretching across the state.

With no immediate plans to run freight down the Bitterroot Branch line, Montana Rail Link and Missoula County still hope to remove several rail crossings until the day comes where they're needed again.