Silver City to Ulm

MT · Silver City → Ulm

James J. Hill's first railroad into Montana — now sitting silent in one of its best canyons.

Heads up: BNSF still owns this line and there is talk of reopening it — check status before riding.

The Montana Central Railway was the work of James J. Hill, the "Empire Builder." It opened between Great Falls and Helena in November 1887 and reached Butte the next year, and it later became part of Hill's Great Northern. The route squeezes through Wolf Creek Canyon and follows the Missouri River past Craig, now one of the best-known trout-fishing towns in the country.

The line passed to Burlington Northern and then BNSF. It has been out of service for years, and railfans report the track isn't usable. In August 2025 Montana's agriculture director asked BNSF to reopen it to ease congestion on the Hi-Line. For now, the rails sit quiet between Helena and Great Falls.

⚠️ Before you go: every railroad on this map is private property. A line that looks abandoned may still be owned by a railroad, used to store rail cars, or put back into service at any time — sometimes with no warning. Before going near any track, make sure it's truly abandoned (no recent use, rails not polished, no signals or cars stored on it) and that you're allowed to be there. Never assume a track is dead.

📷 Photos & stories from riders

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