Recounting the 47th Annual Milk River Wagon Train

The 47th Annual Milk River Wagon Train is in the books and according to Wagon Boss Zane Gray, the trip was well attended, the weather held out and the reception the train received when it reached Malta was outstanding.

“I was really happy so many people turned out to welcome us,” Gray said. “It was really nice to see that many people out there again.”

Zane, teamed with Trail Boss and brother, Jesse Gray, was Wagon Boss for the first time this year and he said that it was a fun time.

“The weather actually wasn’t too bad and we didn’t get wet during the day,” Zane said. “It mostly rained at night and made things a little muddy, but it was definitely better than having (the temperature) in the 90’s the whole time.”

This year, the MRWT covered a trail from Black Coulee Bridge in Turner on down into Malta. This was the first year that the train used this route and Gray said it was smooth sailing.

“The trail was real good,” he said. “We had one guy breakdown on Saturday, but we found some parts for him and got him going again. We had 10 wagons and plenty of people, though I am not sure how many.”

Gray said that a motorhome that was part of the wagon train got stuck in the mud on Saturday following a Friday night rain. The main concern following the Friday rain was getting all the trucks up and at ‘em, but no one thought the motorhome would have issues.

“We got the trucks going, and made it out pretty good, and then I get to the next spot and we are sitting there waiting,” Gray said. “My brother calls me and tells me everyone made it to the next camp except the motorhome. They made it to about a mile from camp and then slipped right off the road.”

The group ran a tractor to the stuck motorhome and got the big vehicle unstuck in “no time,” Gray said.

Upon arriving in Malta on Labor Day, a parade was followed by a community feed. Gray said there were over 150 people at the feed and a bunch of food was served.

The Milk River Wagon Train wants to thank all the businesses who opened on Labor Day and all the people who showed up for the parade and community feed.

“It is great to get this kind of support again,” he said.