BNSF Railway's KOOTENAI River Sub

This is a busy section of the Northern Transcon running between sandpoint junction and whitefish. High priority Z trains race between Chicago and the west coast. Stack trains, grain, coal, oil and mixed merchandise trains run back and forth across the countryside.This seldom visited line connects 2 well known railfan hot spots: The Funnel and marias Pass. It follows the scenic Kootenal river allowing trains to sprint along the water level course. Then it's a steady 1% climb through the Salish Range where the thunder of hard working diesels echoes through the mountains.