- Pipestone Pass
Infobox Mountain Pass
Name = Pipestone Pass
Photo = Pipestone_Pass.jpg
Caption = West portal of the Milwaukee Road's Pipestone Pass Tunnel.
Elevation = 1,935 m./6,347 ft.
Location =Montana , USA
Range =Rocky Mountains
Coordinates = coord|45|51.35|N|112|26.3|W|type:pass
Topographic
Traversed by = Montana State Route 2 and abandoned Milwaukee Road mainline (via Pipestone Tunnel).Pipestone Pass is a
mountain pass in theRocky Mountains ofMontana in theUnited States . It sits on thecontinental divide inSilver Bow County, Montana , 10 miles south ofButte, Montana inBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest at a height of 6,347 ft (1,935m).The
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (commonly known as theMilwaukee Road ) used the pass for its crossing of theContinental Divide on its mainline betweenChicago, Illinois and thePacific Northwest . The line was built as part of theMilwaukee Road 's Pacific Extension, which was completed in 1909. The railroad line cut under the pass via the 2,290 ft. Pipestone Pass Tunnel. The line was electrified in 1915 and served theMilwaukee Road 's premium transcontinental passenger train, the "Olympian" (later the "Olympian Hiawatha "). A poor competitive position against the rivalBurlington Northern Railroad and substantial losses caused theMilwaukee Road to abandon the line in 1980.
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