Montana Western Railway (1909)
Encyclopedia
The Montana Western Railway was an American
railroad constructed between the towns of Conrad
and Valier
in Pondera County
, Montana
, a distance of 20 miles (32.2 km).
The railroad was constructed in 1909 by the Valier Land and Water Company as part of an effort to develop new agricultural lands in the Valier area. The line connected with the Great Northern Railway (GN) at Conrad, and the Great Northern later assumed control of the MW. The trackage continues to be operated today by the BNSF Railway
, corporate successor to the GN.
Montana Western #31, a gas-electric railcar
formerly operated by the railroad, is now preserved at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum
in North Freedom, Wisconsin
. The #31, constructed in 1925, is the oldest surviving piece of equipment constructed by the Electro-Motive Company.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
railroad constructed between the towns of Conrad
Conrad, Montana
Conrad is a city in and the county seat of Pondera County, Montana, United States. The population was 2,753 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Conrad is located at ....
and Valier
Valier, Montana
Valier is a town in Pondera County, Montana, United States. The population was 498 at the 2000 census.-History:The town was named for Peter Valier, who supervised construction of the Montana Western Railway's railroad line between Valier and Conrad, the county seat of Pondera...
in Pondera County
Pondera County, Montana
-National protected area:*Lewis and Clark National Forest *Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Area -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,424 people, 2,410 households, and 1,740 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile . There were 2,834...
, Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, a distance of 20 miles (32.2 km).
The railroad was constructed in 1909 by the Valier Land and Water Company as part of an effort to develop new agricultural lands in the Valier area. The line connected with the Great Northern Railway (GN) at Conrad, and the Great Northern later assumed control of the MW. The trackage continues to be operated today by the BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
, corporate successor to the GN.
Montana Western #31, a gas-electric railcar
Railcar
A railcar, in British English and Australian English, is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach , with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g., the Great Western...
formerly operated by the railroad, is now preserved at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum
Mid-Continent Railway Museum
The Mid-Continent Railway Museum is a railroad museum in North Freedom, Wisconsin.-Collection:Three steam locomotives are currently under restoration to federal guidelines. The museum has 14 steam and 6 diesel locomotives including Chicago & North Western # 1385 and over 100 other pieces of...
in North Freedom, Wisconsin
North Freedom, Wisconsin
North Freedom is a village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Baraboo River. The population was 649 at the 2000 census.-Geography:North Freedom is located at ....
. The #31, constructed in 1925, is the oldest surviving piece of equipment constructed by the Electro-Motive Company.