Montana Rail Link Inc. is a regional railroad that operates freight service across Montana and into neighboring states

Montana Rail Link Inc. (MRL) is a Class II regional railroad that owns and operates about 2,100 miles of track primarily in Montana, with lines extending into Idaho and Washington. The company hauls freight — mainly agricultural products, lumber, minerals, and intermodal containers — rather than passengers. If you live or work along MRL's routes, you may encounter their trains crossing roads, passing through towns, or serving local businesses that depend on rail transport.

MRL was formed in 1987 when a group of Montana investors purchased a section of track from the Burlington Northern Railroad. The company has grown since then by acquiring additional rail lines and serving as a bridge between larger national railroads and smaller regional shippers who need freight moved but cannot justify the cost of using only major carriers.

Key Takeaways

  • Montana Rail Link Inc. operates a regional freight railroad across Montana, Idaho, and Washington, not a passenger service.
  • The railroad hauls agricultural products, forest products, minerals, and shipping containers for businesses along its routes.
  • MRL connects to larger national railroads, allowing freight to move between regional shippers and distant markets.
  • The company employs hundreds of people in Montana and maintains rail yards, repair facilities, and operations centers throughout the state.

The routes Montana Rail Link operates

MRL's main line runs roughly north-south through western Montana, connecting Missoula to the Idaho border near Paradise. A second major line runs east-west and connects to the Port of Portland in Oregon, allowing MRL to move freight to and from Pacific ports. The railroad also operates branch lines that serve smaller communities and industrial sites throughout the region.

The specific routes matter to local communities because they determine where trains run, which roads have grade crossings, and which businesses can ship by rail. Towns along MRL's lines often have rail yards or sidings where freight is loaded and unloaded. If you work in agriculture, logging, mining, or manufacturing in Montana, your employer may use MRL to move products to market.

What freight Montana Rail Link carries

MRL's primary freight includes grain and other agricultural products from Montana farms, lumber and wood products from mills and forests, minerals and mineral products, and intermodal containers (the large metal boxes that move on trucks and trains). The mix of freight changes seasonally — grain shipments peak after harvest, for example — and varies by which industries are active in different regions along the railroad's lines.

The railroad also provides switching services, meaning it moves freight cars between different locations on its own track or connects them to other railroads' lines. This service is essential for shippers who need to consolidate freight from multiple sources or break apart shipments for delivery to different destinations.

How Montana Rail Link connects to larger railroads

MRL is not an isolated railroad. It connects to major national carriers including BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, and others at various points along its routes. These connections allow freight to move from a small shipper in rural Montana onto MRL's track, then transfer to a major railroad for long-distance transport to any part of the country.

This role as a regional connector is central to MRL's business model. A grain elevator in central Montana can load a railcar, MRL moves it to a connection point, and then BNSF or Union Pacific takes it to a port or processing facility thousands of miles away. Without this link, small and medium-sized shippers would have no practical way to move freight by rail.

Employment and economic impact in Montana

Montana Rail Link employs several hundred people across Montana, including locomotive engineers, conductors, maintenance workers, yard workers, and office staff. Jobs are concentrated in larger towns where MRL has rail yards and maintenance facilities, such as Missoula, but the company also employs workers at smaller locations along its routes.

The railroad contributes to Montana's economy by enabling local industries to reach distant markets cost-effectively. Freight that moves by rail is cheaper per ton-mile than freight moved by truck, which makes rail transport critical for low-margin products like grain and lumber that are produced in large volumes. MRL's presence also supports related businesses — trucking companies that haul freight to and from rail yards, equipment suppliers, and service providers.

Safety and grade crossing information

Like all railroads, MRL operates under federal safety regulations set by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The company maintains its track, signals, and equipment to meet these standards. If you live near MRL's tracks, you may see grade crossings where the railroad crosses roads — these are marked with signs and crossing gates to alert drivers and pedestrians.

Grade crossing safety is a shared responsibility. Drivers and pedestrians must obey crossing signals and never try to go around crossing gates. MRL is responsible for maintaining the crossing equipment and keeping the track safe. If you notice a malfunctioning crossing signal or unsafe track condition near MRL's lines, you can report it to the FRA through their website or contact MRL directly through their customer service line.

How to contact Montana Rail Link for business or information

If you need to ship freight by rail, work for a company that uses MRL, or have questions about the railroad's operations, you can reach the company through its main office in Missoula, Montana. MRL maintains a website with contact information for different departments — customer service, operations, and administrative offices.

For safety concerns related to grade crossings or track conditions, you can also file a report with the Federal Railroad Administration, which oversees all railroads in the United States. The FRA maintains a database of crossing incidents and safety complaints that is open to the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Montana Rail Link run passenger trains?

No. Montana Rail Link operates only freight service. If you need passenger rail travel in Montana, Amtrak's Empire Builder runs east-west across northern Montana, but it is a separate service operated by the national passenger railroad.

Can I ship my freight on Montana Rail Link?

MRL ships freight for businesses, not individuals. If you work for a company that produces or needs to move large quantities of goods — grain, lumber, minerals, or containers — your company can contact MRL's customer service to discuss shipping options and rates.

What should I do if I see a problem with a railroad crossing?

If a crossing signal is broken, the gate is stuck, or the track looks unsafe, report it to the Federal Railroad Administration at safetydata.fra.dot.gov or call the FRA's safety hotline. You can also contact MRL directly through its main office in Missoula. Provide the specific location of the crossing and a description of the problem.

Where does Montana Rail Link's track go?

MRL's main lines run north-south through western Montana and east-west toward Oregon and the Pacific ports. The railroad also operates branch lines serving smaller communities. You can find detailed route maps on MRL's website or contact the company directly for information about service to a specific location.

How many people does Montana Rail Link employ?

MRL employs several hundred people across Montana in positions ranging from locomotive operators to maintenance workers to office staff. Most jobs are based in larger towns where the railroad has rail yards and maintenance facilities, particularly Missoula.