Freight Train Two Miles Long Declared Independent Nation by UN After It Stalls Across State Line

A 340-car BNSF manifest freight train that stalled across the Wyoming-Montana state line on January 14 has been stationary for so long that the United Nations has granted it provisional recognition as an independent sovereign entity, pending resolution of a jurisdictional dispute between two states, three counties, and the Federal Railroad Administration. The train, designated BNSF M-LAUDEN-1, stretches approximately 2.3 miles from its four locomotive consist near the Montana border to its end-of-train device well inside Wyoming. It has not moved in 27 days due to what BNSF describes as 'a dispatching irregularity that is being addressed.' In the interim, the train has developed what sociologists are calling 'emergent community characteristics.' Local wildlife has nested in several open-top hopper cars. A food truck has established a semi-permanent position alongside car 187. The train's conductor, who has been living in the lead locomotive's cab, has been recognized by neighboring ranchers as 'the mayor.' 'I didn't ask for this,' said conductor (and provisional head of state) Earl Junction. 'I just want to deliver these 340 cars of assorted freight to Laurel, Montana. But apparently I'm now the leader of a 2.3-mile-long nation. We have a population of one human, approximately 400 prairie dogs, and a hawk.' The State of Wyoming has assessed property taxes on the southern mile of the train. Montana has issued a business license for the food truck servicing the northern mile. Both states claim jurisdiction over the locomotive consist, which straddles the border. 'It's a mess,' said Junction. 'But the food truck does a really solid breakfast burrito. If this is nationhood, I've had worse postings.'