Empire Builder birthday

A mainstay of transportation on the Hi-Line is celebrating 75 years of operation - under the management of three companies - with a gala in Havre on June 12.

The first Empire Builder passenger train left Chicago westbound and Seattle eastbound on June 11, 1929. Its successor, Amtrak's Empire Builder, will pull into Havre carrying dignitaries including Amtrak president David Gunn.

Lt. Gov. Karl Ohs, along with state Department of Commerce director Mark Simonich and Travel Montana administrator Betsy Baumgart, are scheduled to meet the train in Havre.

The anniversary trains - regulars cars fille...