BNSF North Dakota Coal Route

[rkap2]

I have just returned from a trip to photograph the line between Fargo, ND and Glendive, MT and have a number of questions that I hope one or more of you can answer.  Here they are:

1.  Where are helpers put on EB trains leaving Glendive, MT?

2.  What is the ruling grade between Glendive, MT and Fryberg, ND and where is it located?

3.  Where does the coal on this route come from?  Powder River?  Colstrip?  Someplace else?

4.  Any idea as to the proportion of coal from the various locations?

5.  Any thoughts on where to look for this information?

Thanks for any help.  rkap2.

[Murphy Siding]

     You might have more luck posting this on the Trains Magazine forum as well.  That one tends to be a little more active at times.

[trainboyH16-44]

Those times, of course, being the same as when hell isn't frozen over.