Justin Franz
@justinfranz.bsky.social
Freelance writer, photographer & editor focusing on the railroad industry, local news in Northwest Montana and whatever else I find interesting.
This summer, I got to know a fascinating railroad: Rocky Mountaineer. Offering luxury rail tours in the U.S. and Canada, it's an impressive operation with more than 1,000 employees, 2,000 route miles, and 2.4 million happy passengers.
November 14, 2025 at 8:17 PM
This summer, I got to know a fascinating railroad: Rocky Mountaineer. Offering luxury rail tours in the U.S. and Canada, it's an impressive operation with more than 1,000 employees, 2,000 route miles, and 2.4 million happy passengers.
Reposted by Justin Franz
After a successful service expansion last year, Amtrak’s Winter Park Express is back for another big season, beginning December 19 railfan.com/winter-park-...
‘Winter Park Express’ Returns for 2025-2026 Season
After a successful service expansion last year, Amtrak’s Winter Park Express is back for another big season, beginning on December 19.
railfan.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:28 PM
After a successful service expansion last year, Amtrak’s Winter Park Express is back for another big season, beginning December 19 railfan.com/winter-park-...
Reposted by Justin Franz
@josephpolitano.bsky.social . Who needs the Fed or the BLS when you have DoorDash.
November 12, 2025 at 2:25 AM
@josephpolitano.bsky.social . Who needs the Fed or the BLS when you have DoorDash.
The Flathead has long been a popular destination for Albertans. However, credit card spending by Canadians in Kalispell has decreased by 39% due to ongoing tensions between the two countries. Latest for @montanafreepress.org montanafreepress.org/2025/11/10/k...
As Canadians visit and spend less, Kalispell looks to lure them back
As border crossings from Canada to Montana fell 26%, businesses in the Flathead Valley are aiming to ease political tensions.
montanafreepress.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
The Flathead has long been a popular destination for Albertans. However, credit card spending by Canadians in Kalispell has decreased by 39% due to ongoing tensions between the two countries. Latest for @montanafreepress.org montanafreepress.org/2025/11/10/k...
Reposted by Justin Franz
A short line in British Columbia that depends on wood products is suffering due to the ongoing trade war between the United States and Canada. Now, it’s leading to the cancellation of popular holiday excursions railfan.com/tariffs-hit-...
Tariffs Hit B.C. Short Line
The Nelson & Fort Sheppard Railway runs on former Great Northern trackage between Frutvale and Columbia Gardens, B.C.
railfan.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A short line in British Columbia that depends on wood products is suffering due to the ongoing trade war between the United States and Canada. Now, it’s leading to the cancellation of popular holiday excursions railfan.com/tariffs-hit-...
Reposted by Justin Franz
San Francisco is saying goodbye to a fleet of light rail vehicles that expanded transit service in the city during the 1990s dot-com boom. However, at least one of the retired cars is heading to a new home at the Western Railway Museum. railfan.com/bye-bye-bred...
Bye Bye, Breda: San Francisco Bids Farewell to LRVs
The LRV2 and LRV3s are being retired and the last one is expected to run on November 12.
railfan.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:35 PM
San Francisco is saying goodbye to a fleet of light rail vehicles that expanded transit service in the city during the 1990s dot-com boom. However, at least one of the retired cars is heading to a new home at the Western Railway Museum. railfan.com/bye-bye-bred...
Reposted by Justin Franz
The Railway Museum of British Columbia has completed a long-awaited cosmetic restoration of British Columbia Electric Railway motor 960 railfan.com/bc-museum-re...
BC Museum Restores Electric
The Railway Museum of British Columbia has completed a long-awaited cosmetic restoration of British Columbia Electric Railway motor 960.
railfan.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The Railway Museum of British Columbia has completed a long-awaited cosmetic restoration of British Columbia Electric Railway motor 960 railfan.com/bc-museum-re...
Reposted by Justin Franz
Chicagoland transit authorities, including Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority, will avoid falling off the fiscal cliff in 2026 after the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation to provide $1.5 billion in funding without creating new taxes railfan.com/illinois-pas...
Illinois Passes Transit Funding
Chicagoland transit authorities, including Metra commuter rail and the Chicago Transit Authority, will avoid falling off the fiscal cliff in 2026.
railfan.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Chicagoland transit authorities, including Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority, will avoid falling off the fiscal cliff in 2026 after the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation to provide $1.5 billion in funding without creating new taxes railfan.com/illinois-pas...
Reposted by Justin Franz
every AI ad is like
“hey gemini, what would i have for lunch?”
and then the phone is like
“sandwich”
and the guy is like
“wow”
“hey gemini, what would i have for lunch?”
and then the phone is like
“sandwich”
and the guy is like
“wow”
September 25, 2025 at 4:59 PM
every AI ad is like
“hey gemini, what would i have for lunch?”
and then the phone is like
“sandwich”
and the guy is like
“wow”
“hey gemini, what would i have for lunch?”
and then the phone is like
“sandwich”
and the guy is like
“wow”
The Hospital on the Corner flatheadbeacon.com/2025/10/25/t... Logan Health Whitefish and its predecessors have served the North Valley for 120 years. Latest for Flathead Living Magazine.
The Hospital on the Corner - Flathead Beacon
Paige Leigh Nadeau, daughter of Christina and Lance Nadeau of Bigfork, was the first baby born at Whitefish’s “new” North Valley Hospital on March 23, 2007, about 24 hours after the hospital opened. T...
flatheadbeacon.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:21 PM
The Hospital on the Corner flatheadbeacon.com/2025/10/25/t... Logan Health Whitefish and its predecessors have served the North Valley for 120 years. Latest for Flathead Living Magazine.
An annual guide to Canadian trains (often called the "Bible of Canadian railfanning") can no longer be sold and shipped to the U.S. because of tariffs. So now my nerdy train friends and I must organize a smuggling ring to help our fellow train nerds. What a time to be alive.
October 30, 2025 at 3:49 PM
An annual guide to Canadian trains (often called the "Bible of Canadian railfanning") can no longer be sold and shipped to the U.S. because of tariffs. So now my nerdy train friends and I must organize a smuggling ring to help our fellow train nerds. What a time to be alive.
Reposted by Justin Franz
What started as a joke actually turned out pretty well. Keeping this in the back pocket for a future leasing company scheme.
October 29, 2025 at 5:11 PM
What started as a joke actually turned out pretty well. Keeping this in the back pocket for a future leasing company scheme.
"Most of his knowledge of the craft comes from magazines such as the Model Railroader and the Railroad Model Craftsman. 'A lot of people like to Youtube it, but personally I find I learn best from reading,' he said."
The kids are alright.
therealwv.com/2025/10/29/1...
The kids are alright.
therealwv.com/2025/10/29/1...
15-year-old Ralph Romanello brings the town of ‘Soapton’ to life at the Hinton Railroad Museum
By Jenny Harnish, RealWV
Ralph Romanello built the town of Soapton with tweezers and an X-Acto knife.
It took him about a year. He laid the train tracks
therealwv.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:19 PM
"Most of his knowledge of the craft comes from magazines such as the Model Railroader and the Railroad Model Craftsman. 'A lot of people like to Youtube it, but personally I find I learn best from reading,' he said."
The kids are alright.
therealwv.com/2025/10/29/1...
The kids are alright.
therealwv.com/2025/10/29/1...
Some exciting news in the world of narrow gauge railroading!
One of only three surviving Denver & Rio Grande Western C-16 class 2-8-0 locomotives will be restored to operation railfan.com/rio-grande-c...
Rio Grande C-16 2-8-0 to be Restored to Operation
One of only three surviving Denver & Rio Grande Western C-16 class 2-8-0 locomotives will be restored to operation.
railfan.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Some exciting news in the world of narrow gauge railroading!
Reposted by Justin Franz
When This Reporter Comes Calling, the White House Insults Go Flying www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/b...
When This Reporter Comes Calling, the White House Insults Go Flying
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:47 PM
When This Reporter Comes Calling, the White House Insults Go Flying www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/b...
Dear Metra,
Do it.
-Everyone
Do it.
-Everyone
October 29, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Dear Metra,
Do it.
-Everyone
Do it.
-Everyone
Reposted by Justin Franz
BNSF Railway announced this week that the years-long effort to install Positive Train Control along the former Montana Rail Link is nearly complete. Activation of PTC is expected to bring about several significant changes along the route railfan.com/ptc-almost-d...
PTC Almost Done on MRL
Activation of PTC, which could happen as soon as this week, is expected to bring about several significant changes along the route.
railfan.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
BNSF Railway announced this week that the years-long effort to install Positive Train Control along the former Montana Rail Link is nearly complete. Activation of PTC is expected to bring about several significant changes along the route railfan.com/ptc-almost-d...
While the government shutdown has led to some canceled vacations, locals say they are more worried about the long-term health of the National Park Service after drastic staffing cuts by the Trump administration montanafreepress.org/2025/10/28/s... Latest for @montanafreepress.org
Government shutdown latest challenge for Glacier National Park, surrounding communities
While the shutdown has led to some canceled vacations, locals say they are worried about the long-term health of the National Park Service.
montanafreepress.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:42 PM
While the government shutdown has led to some canceled vacations, locals say they are more worried about the long-term health of the National Park Service after drastic staffing cuts by the Trump administration montanafreepress.org/2025/10/28/s... Latest for @montanafreepress.org
Reposted by Justin Franz
One of the nation’s largest railroad unions is calling for a drone ban at rail yards and along main lines, a move that could significantly impact railroad photographers who have recently taken to the sky to capture photos railfan.com/rail-union-c...
Rail Union Calls For Drones to be Grounded
One of the nation’s largest railroad unions is calling for drones to be grounded at rail yards and along main lines
railfan.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:17 PM
One of the nation’s largest railroad unions is calling for a drone ban at rail yards and along main lines, a move that could significantly impact railroad photographers who have recently taken to the sky to capture photos railfan.com/rail-union-c...
Latest for @montanafreepress.org
Hecla’s Libby Exploration Project was one of 10 fast-tracked for ‘expedited permitting’ earlier this year; conservation groups cry foul.
Trump administration approves mine exploration project near Libby
Hecla’s Libby Exploration Project was one of 10 fast-tracked for ‘expedited permitting’ earlier this year; conservation groups cry foul.
montanafreepress.org
October 9, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Latest for @montanafreepress.org
BNSF made its strongest argument yet against the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger by releasing a position paper that states the combination would cause chaos on the national rail network, negatively affect shippers railfan.com/bnsf-no-cust... Latest for @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social
BNSF: ‘No Customer Is Asking For Merger’
BNSF Railway made its strongest argument yet against the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger.
railfan.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
BNSF made its strongest argument yet against the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger by releasing a position paper that states the combination would cause chaos on the national rail network, negatively affect shippers railfan.com/bnsf-no-cust... Latest for @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social
Reposted by Justin Franz
The snowmaking operation on Spanish Peaks Mountain Club property will make Big Sky the first public ski area in Montana to turn wastewater into powder.
State approves Big Sky Resort plan to turn wastewater into snow
The snowmaking operation on Spanish Peaks Mountain Club property will make Big Sky the first public ski area in Montana to turn wastewater into powder.
montanafreepress.org
October 7, 2025 at 9:49 PM
The snowmaking operation on Spanish Peaks Mountain Club property will make Big Sky the first public ski area in Montana to turn wastewater into powder.
Reposted by Justin Franz
BREAKING NEWS: CSX Transportation announced on Monday that CEO Joe Hinrichs had departed and was being replaced by Steve Angel railfan.com/csx-ceo-sudd...
CSX CEO Suddenly Departs
CSX Transportation announced on Monday that CEO Joe Hinrichs had resigned and was being replaced by Steve Angel.
railfan.com
September 29, 2025 at 1:54 PM
BREAKING NEWS: CSX Transportation announced on Monday that CEO Joe Hinrichs had departed and was being replaced by Steve Angel railfan.com/csx-ceo-sudd...
This week, one of the nation's largest rail unions made an unprecedented announcement, stating that it would throw its support behind the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger railfan.com/union-backs-... Latest for @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social
Union Backs UP-NS Merger
In return for the union’s support, UP and NS officials have stated that all SMART-TD members working in train and yardmaster service would be guaranteed a job.
railfan.com
September 25, 2025 at 10:10 PM
This week, one of the nation's largest rail unions made an unprecedented announcement, stating that it would throw its support behind the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger railfan.com/union-backs-... Latest for @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social
Reposted by Justin Franz
Railroad journalist and columnist Don Phillips died on September 23 after a years-long illness. He was 83. railfan.com/don-phillips...
Don Phillips, Railroad Journalist, Dies at 83
Railroad journalist and columnist Don Phillips died on September 23 after a years-long illness. He was 83.
railfan.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Railroad journalist and columnist Don Phillips died on September 23 after a years-long illness. He was 83. railfan.com/don-phillips...