Western Rail, Inc.

06/04/2026

So fortunate to be building a new rebuild facility at our Airway Heights facility. 30 ton overhead crane arrived today. Hoping for a late fall completion. Still waiting on city building permit (now 6 months) but getting close. Thank you to our amazing mechanical crew for staying late to unload this 18-ton behemoth

05/28/2026

This week we are commissioning the first 2 Port of Albany Cummins Tier 4, MP15cc’s. Yes, we have rebuilt four previous MP15cc’s but these are the first 2 built under the current Cummins partnership with the US government to rebuild Tier 4 clean Locomotives. We look forward to the future of this program because it allows us to maintain the EMD Locomotive by just replacing the power module/ engine generator and maintaining the rest of the locomotive as an EMD.. This gives these type of Locomotive 20 to 40 more years of service.

We are EMD lovers too. However, these type of locomotives are getting old, and this is truly the only way to save them, modernize them and give them a long future.

05/21/2026

Next Airway Heights Project starts today. GP40-3 to GP38-3 conversion. Engine will be pulled tomorrow and set on the ground to convert it. GP40 Ex CSX 6756

05/13/2026

05/06/2026

A Day in the Life of a Western Rail Service Crew — Today, Noah and Jess changed out a hot box combo with an idler to return GP40 WRIX #3071 to the yard. BNSF informed us two days ago that the #3 wheel was running at 390 degrees fahrenheit, forcing the crew to set out the locomotive in Troy, Montana. I dispatched the crew to assist BNSF in replacing the wheel, as it was blocking the siding next to the main line. After departing at 4:30 a.m. and navigating an Idaho DOT safety check detour, they were on-site by 8 a.m. What was expected to be an assisted job quickly turned into a full Western Rail project, as BNSF only provided a foreman. The team handled it perfectly, completing the change-out in 7 hours. Very proud of our crew. Thanks to Noble Excavating out of Libby MT for handling the lifts. It was nice working with an experienced team Enjoy this photo digest of what it takes to get a locomotive back on the road in the middle of nowhere, Montana.

05/02/2026

Annnnddd…hood back on. Should be running late next week or week after.

04/29/2026

Out with the old in with the new "paint" GP40-3 available now for sale or lease. Give the office a call and ask for Ty or Pat so we can help you with your needs 509-624-7207

04/27/2026

And Engine back in. Airway crew should have this up and running by end of week.

04/24/2026

The final two units are out of the paint booth and getting ready to deliver to their new home after the final installation of the dash three systems. Ex CBR units.