Woodville was at the continental divide summit at Elk Park Pass—elevation 6,364 feet above sea level. In the next 10 miles the railroad dropped a thousand feet into the valley floor at Butte, descending through Woodville Canyon (sometimes Horse Canyon), Meaderville and East Butte on the way. The ruling grade was 2.2%.
From 1896 until after 1923 Woodville marked the beginning of Butte yard limits. Because of the grade, cuts of cars were brought by switch engines up the hill to Woodville, where northbound trains were assembled. Facilities included a coal tower, water tank, yard office, section house and a large yard. The roundhouse and most services were in Butte. Southbound trains were on the timetable and operated into Butte. Northbound trains were considered extras.
In 1923 the coal tower burned. By then mallet locomotives capable of hauling more tonnage had been assigned to the division. The coal tower was not replaced. Most of Woodville’s operations were moved into Butte. By the diesel era most of the yard had been removed. To this day, however, one can locate Woodville station on the former grade by the coal slack, which has turned the ground black.
The Montana Central Railway: Page 94