Volunteers Transform Cut Bank Depot

CUT BANK, MONT. – A team of volunteers transformed Amtrak's Cut Bank station with hard work in early October, 2010 for the Cut Bank Chamber of Commerce annual Make a Difference Day. They restored the exterior of the building to its appearance of some 70 years ago, removing the metal screens over the windows and painting both the building and trim to accentuate the Swiss chalet architecture that was common to stations along the route of the Empire Builder. Businesses donated paint sprayers, lunches, and a bucket truck, and over a dozen volunteers donated two days of work.

Amtrak has been working with BNSF to allow the city of Cut Bank, Mont. to paint the former Great Northern station. The BNSF donated flagging protection to allow the painting to proceed. The next step is for the city to work with BNSF to acquire the facility, which might be through a donation or a $1 sale. Once Cut Bank is completed, Amtrak will start a similar process with Libby, Mont., with more stations on the Empire Builder to follow.