There are lots of arguments going on whether a coal terminal should be located on the Washington coast and more importantly where it should be located. While these battles rage BNSF, CN, and CP are moving some coal. Right now coal is shipping from Decker mine in Wyoming via BNSF through Laurel, Great Falls, and to CP at Coutts AB. From there trains traverse the CP to Calgary and finally they traverse the CN out to Prince Rupert, BC. No apologies. Prince Rupert is open, China is buying, and so there goes the coal.
On my visit to central Montana I caught one of the weekly moves which uses this multiple railroad route. I came across the train as they were copying a new track warrant a the North Siding Switch Moccasin. Simultaneous with their departure a thunderstorm arrived adding a bit of drama to a coal train pulling away from a stop.
I really haven’t formed my final opinion on the whole coal port topic. I’m somewhat of an environmentalist when it comes to burning coal but I also see that it can be burned in a friendly manner. Will the Chinese be conscious with their use of the resource? Good question. Will the fossil fuels burned to move it cause environmental damage here? Good question. Will this bring jobs and a valuable export to the U.S.? Lot’s to weigh on the topic.
With few serious grades to conquer on this routing, the train was powered by 3 AC4400 locomotives. On the undulating terrain of the Laurel sub it was far from making track speed. In the scene above the train is crossing Willow Creek between Windham and Stanford where it was creeping along as it climbed the slight grade over the summit between the two towns. The interesting thing with this photo is in the future this coal could originate in the hills behind this train if plans for a new mine there play out. That would save at least 3 crew districts and almost two days of transport time if no new export facilities are built.
This is a fun debate to watch and participate in but I’m sure it won’t end soon. In the mean time this long and slow route will continue to be used until something better materializes.
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