On March 8, 2023, the Surface Transportation Board approved the lease termination between MRL and BNSF, which paves the way for BNSF to regain control over the main line from Huntley, MT to Sandpoint, ID. Although the STB’s decision is effective on April 7, the date for BNSF to take over operations of the MRL remains uncertain.

It was a little over a year ago, in early 2022, that MRL announced it was terminating the 60-year lease which was scheduled to expire in 2047.  This prompted months of meetings between the rail Carrier and the various Unions, including the BRS, to reach implementing agreements to protect our members on the MRL.  While BNSF claims it plans to retain all of MRL’s Union and non-Union employees, it is only the Union-represented employees who are granted that assurance through an implementing agreement, which includes employee protections under Oregon Short Line protective conditions.

Under the implementing agreement, the former MRL will become the MRL Subdivision of BNSF’s Montana Division.  It is noteworthy that the BNSF spent about $2 billion to terminate the lease, which it had sought to undo over the years. This provides the strong suggestion that capital investment for the line may be on the horizon, which would be welcome news for BRS members.