I have a long term plan to put together a layout based on the MRL, but I have no idea what sort of freight cars are typically seen on MRL routes. I'd like some more info on what types of cars are seen, and also what roads they are from - for example, I wouldn't want to get any NS cars if they wouldn't run on MRL routes . Thansk .
Dave- I don't pay close enough attention. And here I am in that state! MRL handles all kinds of traffic for BNSF. Plus one line commodities from logs to lumber. A huge paper (cardboard) mill at Schilling. Hoppers of (?) (talc?)(can't think this morning) product to make wallboard. Hoppers now and then of pea gravel. Probably most anything you'd see on other railroads. A frequent train of petrolium products. More..... Here is a link to the best info/fan site on the web: MRL fan site Boxcab E50
Boxcab, Thanks for the link - there's some great info there. So it appears that a lot of their rolling stock was obtained from other roads, such as BN, ATSF, Southern, and a few others. I assume that although many of these have been repainted in MRL colours, at some point they might have run on the MRL in their original colours? Also, if anyone has any more info about cars from other roads that one might see on a MRL train today, I'd be very grateful.
Some BNSF trains run over that line. Recently BNSF has been assigning Boeing cars to one of these particular general merchandise trains. Here is a list of some of the reporting marks for one such train: TTMX TBCX and BNSF (Boeing cars) AOK, ALM, TTZX, AERC, MSDR, NOKL, WC, BN, and BNSF (Lumber cars) BNSF (82 foot Reefer) NS (Gon) BNSF, MRL BN (Bulk Head Flat Cars) CEFX, FLOX, NDYX, ADMX, NAHX, (Covered Hoppers) BRCX, CRGX, ADMX, TIMX, TILX, GATX, NATX (Tank cars) KCS, NS, ALM, BNSF (Box cars) I also see steel coil cars, and an occassional auto rack, plus others I know I am forgetting. You can look up reporting marks here: Reporting Marks
Very true. Aside from locals and helpers, there can be many days when all you will see is BNSF powered trains on the system. As part of their lease, MRL has an agreement with BNSF for a certain number of cars handled across their line each year. My problem is a loss of interest in railfanning modern stuff. So I don't pay enough attention when I'm along the line. Boxcab E50
Great info guys, thanks very much . That should help me develop a freigh car purchasing strategy. Having BNSF trains run over the route will be useful, as I can put together some exotic trains - it could be a good excuse to make up a BNSF coal train, what with all the available coal gons out there . Thanks, Dave.
To clarify: these are the reporting marks of cars on a BNSF train running on the MRL, right? Sorry if I'm being a bit thick .
