Compared to the publicly funded US 95 which has been handling the tonnages off the prairie, what, for 20 years now - the transportation value from up there couldn't possibly keep those bridges into enough ongoing repairs - plus Federal bridge compliance costs. The previous operations didn't have to contend with that 2nd one, they had 100 years of old timer experience / knack and probably BN engineering dept support from that period in the 90's when they were sort of 'back into' branchlines after junking many in the early 80's. The borrowed locos probably helped in the traction motor wear and tear department too.


A billion federal dollars as a 'consolation' that got the line into steel bridges and oh maybe 100% new ties? Different dynamic maybe. Good luck!