The Izaak Walton Inn, built by the Great Northern Railroad in 1939 in Essex, Montana, sits just 80 yards from active BNSF freight rail lines where visitors can watch unit trains and manifest freights pass throughout the day. The inn serves as a destination for train enthusiasts and outdoor lovers offering winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, plus warm-weather activities including trout fishing in the Flathead River and access to Glacier National Park. The on-site restaurant operates 7am-10pm with dining and a full-service bar, and guests can arrive via Amtrak's Empire Builder train that stops at the adjacent flag stop.
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