KALISPELL, Mont. — The last train into Kalispell rolled out of town on Dec. 27, just four days shy of the 128th anniversary of the Great Northern Railway’s arrival in the community.
But despite the finality of the departure, the historic event was anything but somber for local economic development officials and representatives of the Mission Mountain Railroad, which operates a 16-mile branch from Columbia Falls to Kalispell.
The Mission Mountain’s last run into downtown Kalispell follows the construction of a new rail-served industrial park at the edge of town, which officials say will lead to increased traffic on the short line, as well as a new pedestrian trail along the soon-to-be removed tracks through the middle of town.
For decades, city leaders have wanted to redevelop an under-utilized industrial area near downtown. In the 1980s, part of the rail yard was ripped up to make way for a new shopping mall, but the railroad still cut through the middle of town to reach a grain elevator and a drywall distributor. In 2015, Kalispell received a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to construct a rail-served industrial park on the east side of town that would become the new home for the final two downtown rail customers. With the grain elevator and drywall warehouse out of the way, and the last 2 miles of track into town no longer needed, the city can now build a new trail and pave the way for new commercial and residential developments.
Officials with the Mission Mountain, a Watco Companies short line, say the rail park is a win-win for the community and the railroad. However, the historic nature of last week’s final run into downtown Kalispell was not lost on General Manager Kyle Jeschke.
“It’s sad and exciting at the same time,” he tells Trains News Wire. “Coming into downtown Kalispell has been a part of our daily life, but the [opportunities at the new rail park] are really exciting.”
The last 2 miles of the former GN Kalispell Branch will most likely be ripped up in 2020.
This fall, the grain elevator moved into the rail park and, about a week before Christmas, the drywall dealer followed suit. On Dec. 27, the Mission Mountain sent a crew down to Kalispell to pick up a cut of stored tank cars that had been pushed to the end of the track earlier this year. A number of local officials were on hand for the final run, as well as a few railfans who battled a cold Montana evening to record history.
— Read more about the Mission Mountain Railroad in the Train Watching column in the February 2020 issue of Trains.
Interesting picture of this “last-run” train passing right next to a gas station in downtown Kalispell!
The railroad and US 2 go right past the Glacier Park International Airport (FCA). The railroad is clearly visible as you depart the airport.
Robert Hoover – If you were going from the airport to Glacier NP you didn’t go through the center of Kalispell. Except for the last 2 miles in town, replaced by the industrial park the line is still intact.
Jeffrey, I had a dim recollection that that might be the case.
Back in June 1995 I spotted a Milwaukee Road boxcar somewhere along that line (on the way from the airport to Glacier NP) and meant to photograph it, but of course I forgot. Ooops. A little late now.