Dilbert Wrote:
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> Yes, a couple of times. Can't recall the exact
> dates though. Generally Amtrak sez they loose too
> much time on MRL as they are limited to the
> freight speed limits on the line.


Passenger maximum speed was 75 on the BN when Amtrak last was scheduled on what's now MRL. Freight speed is 60. When you consider the small percentage of track that is maximum speed it makes little difference. These days with the direct Havre-Great Falls-Helena line out of service it becomes an extremely long detour Shelby-Great Falls-Laurel unless diverted farther east. Also when Amtrak detours away from so many stations it becomes problematic. Considering how much traffic originates or terminates at intermediate stations long detours become less practical.

In the spring of 1987 Amtrak did detour eastbound on BN (through Missoula) via Helena-Great Falls-Shelby. This wasn't so bad considering the only major station missed was Whitefish. This is no longer possible due the embargo of the Helena-Great Falls line. I've heard that Great Falls passengers were unhappy that they couldn't detrain in Great Falls but had to continue to Shelby and highway back Great Falls. Amtrak doesn't like to board/detrain passengers at non-Amtrak stations making detours even more bothersome.