Day 13 - Cut Bank MT to Livingston MT

Set off after a bit of a delay thanks to work, to find the viaduct here and the Amtrak. Found both, although wish I'd driven down to the bottom of the canyon for a more impressive shot.

I also found a giant penguin.

(Note, quite a few places claim to be the coldest place in the nation. It was pretty mild here today)

I drove on down the highway and saw just how big and open it is down here on the plains of Montana. The hills were wide and undulating.

I saw a big windfarm off on a hill, but no trains. Then just before Shelby I saw a headlight waiting at the signals. There was a lot of radio chatter, sounded like a hi-railer was making life difficult for everyone.

Then a no-grainer arrived on the scene and the two passed. I roared back up the road to some photo spots I'd noticed and waited. And waited. And waited. Got fed up and went back down the road, seems the stack train had a dud wagon so was having to cut that out while tying up both tracks, and all on a hill. Eventually they got everything sorted and headed off. I snapped a few quick shots but couldn't be bothered hanging around too long.

Then on I drove. I15 for a bit, off at Great Falls, so named for this I guess?

They're not that great.

Drove on, found an off little canyon.

D

More driving. Climbed up and up and up. GPS had chosen the shortest but steepest and windiest route for me.

Bit of snow up here. Nice sunset tonight.

Found some very weird power pylons that look like big space invaders or something from TRON, and stand on a single point.

Eventually rolled into Livingston with the tank almost dry. Only gas stations between Great Falls and Livingston seem to be hand cranked jobs that close when the sun sets! Checked in at my usual hotel and got my usual train spotting room, and even got a "repeat customer" discount! As I arrived in town a no-grainer was heading out, then as I walked out from dinner a manifest was getting a shove from the bankers (so I crossed the road and stood on the station as it screamed past), then a CN coal train crawled through and got some mid-train help, another manifest, a downhill manifest, and now another coal train has arrived. Add in return helper movements and it's been non-stop here! Just hope they leave me a couple of trains for in the morning.