Well I was going from Pasco to Spokane today and I was pondering all sorts of things but it dawned on my that I was on BNSF track, formally BN and before that NP. Our lead Locomotive was was MRL 311 (Don't ever care if I get that unit in the lead agine) which is a ex-ATSF SD45-2. On the trip down and back I also saw Mexican GE's, NREX, FURX, BN, SF, NS, and even a E8/9 trailing in a consist. You really can see just about anything on a RR these days if you look hard enough. Oh yea, anyone know why all the railfans were out today, we proably saw at least 8 between connel and Lind. Kevin D Mumaw
One of the reasons I love the BNSF so much is the diversity. Only a class 1 like BNSF will have an SD40-2 in the lead with a GP60B and GP30 in the consist, and all three will sport different paint schemes. Another thing that amazes me is the longevity of some of the BNSF locomotives. While painting up my N CB&Q GP30, I found a picture of a C&S SD40. CB&Q never had SD40's as they went to the SD45's instead, but subsidery road C&S did. The locomotive was photographed new (1967) in the book. Further reaserch showed that this particular locomotive survived into the BN era under a Cascade green and black, and in 2001 recieved it's Heritage 1 colors. As of 2005, she was still paying the bills.
Seemed like a big day for variety! I was up on MRL's Mullan Pass, again, ex NP/BN, and saw a BNSF 'Deuce leading a GP60B, and 3 SD45's midtrain pushing. At the tail of the train was a pair of new SD70ACez.... Later that day, we caught a heavy grain double with 3 Dash 9's on the point, and an F45 trailing as a helper. Both mid-train/DPU sets were ACez, however.
Well, if you ain't figgered it out yet, that's 21st century railroading- lotsa rent-a-wrecks and pool power as welll as homeroad stuff. We get all sorts of power here in Gallup- all the BNSF & predecessor schemes, green or punkin rent-a-wrecks, black or grey (yes, grey) NS, several types of CSX colors, faded-out Beansniff orange, Borgrail, ex-Cons, and rent-a-wrecks of all colors (even a faded-out SP SD45).
That E unit must be the one headed for Tacoma. Ex-Milw. Railfans out? Spring fever train chasing? Boxcab E50
