The Best Train in Montana!

A little-known fact about Malta: it has the best passenger rail service in Montana.

While it may not have the grandest depot in the state, this little town of less than 2,000 on the Hi-line, offers something far more valuable - reasonable departure times. No need to get up in the middle of the night to catch the train. Amtrak passes through here every afternoon.

From one of the most isolated spots in the state, travelers can reach Chicago or Seattle in less than a day.

Flying is still faster, but it can take nearly a half-day's drive to reach the nearest airport in Billings or Great Falls.

Now folks are clamoring for passenger rail service across the southern tier of Montana where most of the population lives. I can't blame them. Traveling by train is a treat. Loading is a bit frantic, but once on board, you're able to walk about the train, eat in a dining car, and watch the world go by. Compared to the hassles of air travel it's quite civilized.

Wintering in the railroad town of Livingston with its grand old depot, vast railyard, and empty repair shops, I find it difficult to imagine why passenger service was discontinued here years ago.

There even used to be a line that ran from Livingston to Gardiner, shuttling visitors to Yellowstone National Park. In addition it carried the liquor shipment for Cooke City. The outfitter I worked for in Cooke also owned the liquor store there, and occasionally he'd send me down to meet the train to pick up the booze.

Sadly, those tracks were torn out years ago. Now they're considering turning the old rail bed into a walking trail, a nice thought but not nearly as cool as an actual train to Gardiner.

Considering all the hoops to jump through in order to return passenger service to the southern line, I doubt I'll see it in my lifetime.

Thankfully there's always Malta with trains passing through town at a reasonable hour headed both east and west. Granted it's not very convenient if you don't live in Malta, but if you do, the world is your oyster or at least a quick trip to Seattle for some fresh ones.

Parker Heinlein is at [email protected]