Hard to tell. Lots of cargo trucks, a whole lot of HMMWV's both of which could point any direction. Some of the Hummer's looked to be uparmored with the gunner's station kits added. MRAP's in both 4 and 6 wheel, which might go with the infantry idea as the 6 wheel type is commonly used for troop transport. Some of what look to be (I think) Defenders, an updated version of the Cadillac-Gage V series of armored cars which go back to Vietnam. These, at least from the Army side, would indicate MP to me, as they're often used by them for route duties and base defense (Air Force, too)
I was initially thinking they might have been in route to Ft Bliss for training because I saw similar loads on CSX heading for New Orleans every year for at least the past 20. But then I realized they were going through Flagstaff on the Sante Fe trans-con, so don't have a clue. Is there a training facility somewhere east of the Mississippi River that is similar to the Ft Bliss/White Sands training grounds? Or they might be in route to Ft Dix prior to shipping out to the Mid-East, Afghanistan/Iraq area? Sure hope not for their sakes.
Any number of possibilities, including simply repositioning equipment or just back off the ship. There is Ft Polk, which has been the Joint Readiness Training Center, kind of the premier training area for the non-armored folks.
Ft. Polk is in SW Louisiana, so served by CSX and/or KCS, not necessarily BNSF. Though I agree that its bayous are a perfect training area for Nam and other God-Forsaken leach infested swamp holes.
Last-of-its-kind, DLMX 644, a former Santa Fe SDF40 (former Amtrak SDP40F), on point of SB Portland & Western train, south of Salem, OR. It's leased from Doyle McCormack (he of SP4449 and NKP190 fame), and still sports the Maersk paint scheme originally painted on by the previous road (BNSF?).
Not trying to "one-up" Bob, his photo reminded me of one I took at the NRHS Convention in Portland, OR, in 2005. Being the old steam curmudgeon, this is one of the few shots I have taken of diseasels. EDIT: This shot taken behind the UP Brooklyn roundhouse, now history, having been torn down. GN 274, once owned by Doyle McCormack, got stranded over on the Oregon Coast when storms washed out the Port of Tillamook tracks. She is still there, operating on the Oregon Coast Scenic. 844 I believe belongs to Chris Fussell and has been moved to Ogden, Utah along with his former Amtrak F40 painted in Daylight colors.
CAught this one yesterday going in to the Glendive roundhouse. Wow, that's dirty! Don't know if it was black soot and dirt or oil from a blown turbo. The first option is my guess.
How long ago has this pic been taken? Can one say there are still working F/FP/40/45 derivatives nowadays? Dom
None come into mind right now. I believe this one is stored? I believe MRL still has one, needing repairs, in storage.
As a finish, saw that dirty ACE this afternoon. As a d.p. unit all shiny and clean! Must have just needed a bath.
Getting back to posting videos here.... This morning I felt like seeing some SP action. Not a lot came up, which was interesting. Here is one: [
There is a ATSF FP45 being restored to operation right now at the Orange Empire Railroad Museum in Perris. http://www.oerm.org/collection/santa-fe/atsf-98
