Please be advised that comfort on this trip is not
a priority. Dynamic western railroad photography
is. The weather is unpredictable in this region
but one thing is certain you will see rattle snakes.

Last year I rode the Central Montana Rail photo freight the Jay Lentzner
had put together and several folks here had asked about future trips.
Here it is for June 1st, 2013. Contact Jay direct if you're interested.
JAY850@aol.com

Here's some CMR background:

CMR operates on the former Milwaukee Road Branch to Great Falls.
It's rolling prairie with mountains in the distance. The unique
aspect of this line is the amazing trestles. One is out of service
over the Judith River because of major run off damage over a year
ago. Today's revenue is generated by stored cars at their BNSF Laurel Sub
interchange and the Charlie Russell Choo Choo diner train.
Unless they come up with some grant monies the future is bleak.

Train will depart from Denton, MT northwest of Lewistown, MT.
There is a bar in town with some motel rooms but the nearest
town is Lewistown where you'll find a Super 8 and other mom n' pop
motels. I stayed in Standford (sp) on the Laurel Sub.


FROM JAY:
CMR Photographers' Freight Train on Saturday, June 1, 2013. We will need 20 people to make it happen, and if we get a bunch more, a second section will run on Sunday, June 2. (Jay currently has 13 tentative)

The train will be the same as last year with the addition of a second locomotive. The engines will be back-to-back with long hood leading, as built for GN, in both directions (and white flags in both directions). That will mean 1838 and either 1814 or 1824.

Because of the two locomotives, the price per passenger, if we get 20, will be $150 each including a night photo shoot on Friday night. If we run a Sunday train (same photo stops as on Saturday), we will try for a Saturday night photo, also.

The plan will be to haul the train backwards to Arrow Creek at 0730 in the morning, run around the train, and then start making our photo stops eastbound. At Danvers we will separate the locomotives to switch the locomotives and caboose. Then shove the train east to Ware for a rest and lunch stop. After a westbound runby at the Ware elevator, proceed west making photo stops to Denton which will conclude the trip. The photo stops will all be different from the 2012 trip with the possible exception of another, but slightly different, eastbound tunnel shot for the benefit of new riders. Sage Creek will be from the first curve east of the bridge up on the hill (climbing required for a spectacular view). Indian Creek will be from the west end (no climbing required!).

Right now we tentatively have 13 ready for the June 1 train:

And if you want to fill spots 14 - 20, please let me know. Also please send this note on to any other photographers you think might be interested. After we get 20 people, I will start a waiting list for the second train. Jay Lentzner
JAY850@aol.com


More than you wanted to know:)