Coal Story: Nothing To Do With The Bakken

For archival purposes only: proposed railway in eastern Montana waiting for federal review/approval. Only 83 miles long; from the Billings Gazette.

First, the article today: Montana coal railroad faces federal review

And, then the article in October, 2012: Federal approval sought for Tongue River Railroad

Eastern Montana residents will weigh in this week on a proposed 83-mile coal railroad with the potential to usher in a dramatic expansion of mining in the state and increase exports of the fuel to Asia.

The Surface Transportation Board is hosting a series of public meetings beginning Monday in Lame Deer for its environmental review of the proposed Tongue River Railroad.

The $490 million line from Miles City to south of Ashland would haul up to 20 million tons of fuel annually. That's equal to about half the state's current coal production.

The long-stalled railroad was bought last year by BNSF Railway, Arch Coal and billionaire Forrest Mars Jr., following decades of delays due to court challenges and financing hurdles.

And so it goes.