Descending Parkman Hill

Running through the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, BNSF's Big Horn Sub faces some significant climbs as it winds through northern Wyoming and southern Montana. One of the largest is Parkman Hill near the Wyoming/Montana border. The hill's stiff grades warrant a helper district at nearby Sheridan, WY, primarily to help lift loaded coal trains up to Parkman.

 

Here, having just crested Parkman Hill, an eastbound manifest has its dynos whining as the train rolls down Parkman's 1.25% grade. 15 miles of downgrade lay ahead, before a quick undulation brings them up into Sheridan for a crew change on the former CB&Q.

 

H PASLIN1 23A (High Priority Manifest- Pasco, WA to Lincoln, NE)

BNSF ES44AC #6414

BNSF ES44AC #5806

BNSF ES44C4 #6527

 

Parkman, WY

August 24th, 2025

Done