BNSF work picks up on Hi-Line, Montana

Havre Daily News/Nikki Carlson

A Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway train cruises east of Havre Tuesday afternoon.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway employees are finishing up repair work on the tracks between Havre and Chinook this week, laying about 22,000 ties.

Their work wraps up a successful season for the railroad that has hired 415 people across Montana this year, including 98 in Havre.

BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas said company's Hi-Line business has not yet returned to pre-recession levels, but the upturn in 2011 has left company officials optimistic for the coming year.

"I think it...