[3][4] This spin-off was controversial as it happened during contract negotiations between Burlington Northern and the United Transportation Union.

Montana Rail Link trains operated between Billings and Spokane using trackage rights over BN successor BNSF's tracks connecting those points.

Forest products and grain were primary commodities, and MRL also operated a special train, called the Gas Local, between Missoula and Thompson Falls, Montana, to bridge a gap in a long-distance gasoline pipeline.

This was the first locomotive that the railroad has ordered new from a manufacturer, and it and the rest of the class were intended to replace aging SD40 and SD45 locomotives on trains crossing the Rocky Mountains over the continental divide at Mullan Pass near Helena, Montana and Bozeman Pass near Bozeman, Montana.

The 737 fuselages had been built in Kansas at Spirit AeroSystems and were being shipped to Renton, Washington, for final assembly.

[16][17][18] On the morning of Sunday, April 2, 2023, a westbound MRL freight train derailed at Quinn's Hot Springs Resort in Paradise, Montana.

Strong winds blowing the clay powder appeared like smoke and guest cabins were evacuated as a precaution.

[19][1] On June 24, 2023, part of a westbound freight train derailed near Reed Point in Stillwater County, while traveling on a bridge over the Yellowstone River.

Yellowstone County Disaster and Emergency Services stated that several cars were damaged and leaked petroleum products.