C30-7 Are They coming out of storage?

[Jack Doran]

I have been seeing a lot of C30-7 here lately just wondering if there coming back out of storage. Seen six heading out of town on different trains. Rumours had it that all the units are heading to the junk yard to be scrapped. Just surprising to see all of them on different trains.

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Keep on railroad'n

[Kevin Stevens]

I believe that these units (and also many SD40-2, SD45, SD45-2, and SDF40-2's) are part of BNSF's "Surge Fleet". The Surge Fleet consists of many older units stored in LUGO (Laid Up, Good Order) status, and activated when needed during traffic upswings. I would assume that the current traffic surge has to do with the Christmas season. When traffic slows down, these units will return to storage. I guess this is BNSF's alternative to large quantities of short-term leased locomotives.

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Kevin Stevens
www.trainweb.org/KernJunction (http://www.trainweb.org/KernJunction)

[Alan]

I wish they would stay in use until I can get over again, but I very much doubt it.

I really like those machines http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

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Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.alancurtismodels.com (http://www.alancurtismodels.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://www.trainweb.org/andersleywestern/)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)

[D21]

I heard that some of BN's C30-7 fleet will be going back to a leaser soon.

Scott

[bnsffan]

Yes, you are correct. There are about 40 coming off leases this year. I have a list of them, and all are BN.

Matthew
BNSF Motive Power Archive http://www.trainweb.org/bnsfmpa

[Jack Doran]

I heard all of them were suppose to be scrapped and retired as more dash 9 were coming to the property. All the old stuff up to the SD40-2. were starting to be gone next on the chopping block were the SD60's and Earlier models.(SD series 40,45's:GP"s 40 50) Most of the units that were not fixable are suppose to be gone. the rest are all stored until leases expire or they are sold I read this in the EXTRA 2200 SOUTH magizine.

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Keep on railroad'n

[D21]

I read and heard that a good chunk of BNSF's ex-BN C30-7's are owned by a leaser, and that they should be returned soon.

Regarding the SD45's and such: All of the SD45, SD45-2, SDF40-2, and some SD40 fleet among others make up the Surge Fleet. They currently have no plan for retirement, unless there is a major failure of the loco. These should (unfortunately) not be needed in the years to come, after BNSF receives more and more Dash 9's for general freight service.

It will be a sad day indeed when the flared SD45's and the cowls dissapear from BNSF.

Scott