Get ready for my illustrated adventure on the Marias Pass, from Shelby to Whitefish!
Passing the Lewis and Clark Memorial/Monument. Fun fact, the pass is named after the Marias River that runs alongside it, which Meriweather Lewis named after his sister Maria.
Today's train is four ES44DCs hauling 120 coal hoppers. Four of these beasts is a bit overkill, I've seen two SD38-2s haul heavier loads with no problems.
Crossing the bridge into Glacier National Park. Eighty mile per hour speed limits are long gone.
Going over the Glacier National Park gateway.
The mountains form a perfect backdrop during the transition from prairie to boreal.
Passing by a truck stop featuring the new blue semi trucks. Colors also come in red, and there are also new smaller trucks with faux Coca-Cola brand markings.
Things get chunky as I wind around mountain curves. This one is near Blackfoot, and is very sharp and steep with a 1.8% grade.
Single track railroading at it's best!
Passing the Izaak Walton inn in Essex. That locomotive to the right of the hotel is a GN F45, #441. After she was pulled from service she was gutted, reupholstered, and was put into a different line of service as a [very expensive] hotel room.
RSC has a keen eye for detail. Scattered radio towers provide the perfect atmosphere. Every once in a while there is even a wheel slippage detector.
There are even new tunnels! As you can see, the interiors are nondescript concrete, and the arches contain cables for added detail.
More scenery than the Donner!
From this angle you can see the river, which now has green at the bottom to simulate shallowness and algae.
A perfect fishing spot!
Rolling over the second gateway to Glacier.
A picture from the lake.
Passing a logging center, almost to Whitefish.
Stopped at Whitefish Yard.
I had so many pictures I wanted to post, but I fear there's a character limit so I'll just leave the best secrets up for discovery.
Poll
