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's fair to say we are on a rebound," he said.

Repairs on the railroad's extensive Montana system include general improvements aimed at increasing efficiency and safety, as well as fixes for problems caused by floods and high snow this year, he said.

Throughout Montana, 155,000 ties have been replaced this year, including 42,000 concrete ties on the Shelby-Great Falls-Laurel line.

Systemwide, the company has purchased 227 new General Electric locomotives, he said. Some will soon be operating on the Hi-Line.

Melonas said some of the 98 new hires in Havre are to replace retirees, while others are new positions. Many are track employees or mechanics in the diesel shop, he said.

"Even the people who are hired to replace retirees help the Havre economy," he said. "Most of our retirees stay in Havre while they collect their pensions," he said.

The number of new Burlington Northern Santa Fe employees across the state:

Havre, 98

Glendive, 68

Great Falls, 68

Glasgow, 28

Forsythe, 52,

Billings, 23

Whitefish, 41