Most of the Central Montana trackage was acquired by the State of Montana in 1983 when its then-current operator, the Burlington Northern Railroad, discontinued operation of the route. Central Montana Rail, a locally governed nonprofit corporation, began operating the route in 1985.
The majority of Central Montana's rail lines were acquired by the State of Montana in 1983 when its previous operator, Burlington Northern Railroad, ceased operations on the route. Central Montana Rail, a locally governed non-profit organization, took over the route in 1985.