Montana Rail Link honors veterans, essential workers with special locomotives
In honor of veterans across Montana, last week Montana Rail Link (“MRL”) unveiled a special locomotive thanking veterans for their service. In the coming weeks, MRL will unveil a second locomotive thanking all essential workers for their many contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both locomotives serve as symbols of our appreciation for veterans and essential workers for their loyalty and dedication to this country. The intended route option for these locomotives is to work in regular freight service between Billings, MT and Sandpoint, ID.
In addition to the tribute locomotives, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, in conjunction with Montana Rail Link, will make a $50,000 donation to Warriors and Quiet Waters and a $50,000 donation to Montana No Kid Hungry. You can read more about each organization and their respective missions at https://warriorsandquietwaters.org and https://state.nokidhungry.org/montana.
“Essential workers have played a critical role in keeping our communities healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said MRL President Derek Ollmann. “All essential workers including railroaders, first responders, health care workers, janitorial staff, grocery store clerks and truck drivers have served all of us with dedication and sacrifice.”
“We thank veterans and their families for their collective sacrifice and service,” said Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation Executive Director and Vietnam Veteran Mike Halligan. “We’re proud to recognize two of the great organizations that serve our veterans, citizens, and communities across Montana.”
About Montana Rail Link
Based in Missoula, Montana Rail Link (MRL) is a Class II regional railroad that operates over 900 route miles of track in Montana and Idaho and employs nearly 1,200 dedicated professionals. MRL services over 150 local Montana businesses and moves their products to domestic and international markets on a daily basis. MRL remains committed to providing transportation services that result in long-term growth and prosperity for the company, and its customers and employees.
About the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation
The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is the major philanthropic organization for The Washington Companies and the Washington family. Funding for the Foundation comes primarily from personal contributions from the Washington Family and annual contributions from the Montana-based Washington Companies.