BNSF Dickinson Sub in North Dakota & Montana

If you want to visit a part of the BNSF that is rarely seen by railfans and offers a break from the usual parade of Heritage-2 Dash 9s, you DEFINITELY want to set your sights on the Dickinson Sub in western North Dakota and eastern Montana. This 210-mile single tracked mainline runs between Bismarck, North Dakota and Glendive, Montana, and hosts a parade of heavy tonnage trains every day. Coal is king here, although manifest and grain trains make regular appearances. It is also worth mentioning that this part of the railroad is operated by a fleet of nearly all EMD locomotives, many of which still wear their former BN or ATSF colors. The leased former Oakway SD60s are also based out of Glendive, and several trains are featured with solid lashups of these locomotives including a quartet on a loaded coal train. Many BN painted SD60Ms and Warbonnet SD75s are also seen, all in 'tip-top' shape. We begin our journey at the western end of the Dickinson Sub in Glendive, as heavy coal trains begin their climb up towards Beaver Hill. The first thirty miles or so outside of Glendive is a manned pusher district, as the steep grade here commands it. Next, we geographically work our way east as we follow the railroad into North Dakota and all the way over to Bismarck, stopping in on many scenic locations along the way. We finally wrap up at Lyons, a mere seven miles outside BNSF's Mandan Yard on the west side of Bismarck. So get ready for a thrilling joyride on the BNSF and experience a unique glimpse of the western giant. Videography by Mike Dixon. Edited and Produced by Mike Dixon.