A big boost in Montana coal production Wednesday with the grand opening of the Signal Peak Mine near Roundup.
The coal mine is now up and running thanks to a 35 mile spur line that gives Signal Peak access to Burlington Northern's main rail line at Broadview.
Wednesday, that Broadview station was officially named after Walter Bruening the world's oldest man and a retiree from BNSF's predecessor Great Northern Railway.
With the dedication of a new rail spur to the world's oldest living man, Walter Breuning of Great Falls, economic development in Eastern Montana is now on the move.
Governor Brian Schweitzer along with officials with Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Signal Peak Mine came together at the new Walter station near Broadview to ride the new 35 mile rail line that kicks coal production at the signal peak mine in high gear.
"This is a mine that will add 25% to the over all coal mining that we do in Montana," said Governor Schweitzer.
For BNSF it's a new supply of coal that can move onto the network.
The new stretch of tracks cost $105 million to build, a key part in reviving the Signal Peak Mine which results in more jobs and revenue in the treasure state.
During the train ride to the mine the Governor talked about the importance of coal production with the owners of the Signal Peak.
The Boich Group and First Energy shelled out nearly $400 million to bring what was once known as the Bull Mountain Mine back from the brink.
The mine currently employs about 200 workers, a number that is expected to increase.
The Signal Peak Mine could soon account for about a quarter of Montana's annual coal production.
The new owners of the mine say they will dramatically step up production by the end of next year to an estimated 12.5 million tons annually.
Last year, Montana produced more than 44 million tons of coal- worth more than $361 million.
Nationwide the demand for coal has softened since the recession began, while greenhouse gas limits pending in Congress threaten to make the fuel more expensive.
