BNSF Railway Marias Pass

 railway, summit, mountain pass

A crossing of the Continental Divide by BNSF Railway (and US Highway 2). This rail line was built by the Great Northern, which became Burlington Northern, and is now part of BNSF. Amtrak's Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle/Portland) operates daily in each direction on this line.
Marias Pass (5216 feet) is the lowest crossing of the Continental Divide north of New Mexico in the Continental United States. BNSF is able to move more tonnage with less power over this route between the Upper Midwest and West Coast than any other route in the United States. Following the rail line to the east, you'll notice two westbound BNSF freight trains about to crest the Continental Divide, each with only two locomotives.
America's railroads built 31 crossings over the Divide, and this is one of 10 that are still in use.
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