I took this pic last November. Any idea what it was doing in BNSF Denver yard? Here is some info on the paint scheme: Rail Runner Eric
Most likely dead-in-transit in a BNSF train en route to Albuquerque via Raton Pass. IIRC, I've read that all of the Rail Runner equipment is now stored at Albuquerque awaiting startup of operations.
It didn't come over Raton Pass! Raton and Glorietta Subs only run the few trains North/East, except for the # 3 SW Chief. Anyway, it should've stayed in Denver because they're not going to be runung the Rail Runner anytime soon. Too much $$$ problems. You know they're in the pocess of paying $300 million for 300 miles from Belen, NM to Trinidad, CO. Too many problems!!!!
$300,000,000? What was I thinking. It's $75,000,000. Still that was money originally allocated through Governor Richardson's G.R.I.P. (Governor Richardson Improvement Projects) to improve New Mexico roads and highways.
Sten, I did a little more research, and found out you are quite right. I stand corrected. The styling threw me. Still, a nice-looking diesel- hope it runs as well as it looks.
That's alright Athearn made the same mistake. If they release it in N scale I won't be getting any so hopefully a costly mistake and a lesson not to cut corners
it is basically an upgraded F40PH. EMD645E3B which is Teir1 compliant. That was how MPI got Metra and Caltrains interested. most parts are interchangeable. usual modern upgrades and separate HEP generator instead of off the main shaft (like the F40)
Were I to get one, it would be in HO in Trinity Rail colors (it would be dead-on for the TRE), as well as two coaches & a coach-cab car. I guess it depends on how bad someone wants a RailRunner locomotive in HO or N, since Athearn is the only player, and for a proper locomotive it would require quite a bit of kitbashing/stretching out of a F59PH....
it would be nice if they decided to do the MP36 as I want one for Caltrains as to kitbashing, would probably use the body of a F40 and the nose of the F59
More info on the Rail Runner. The final dollar amount was $76 Million and the State of NM didn't buy the rail yards in Las Vegas nor Raton! Also the last of 5 MP36PH-3C's was delivered for a total price tag of $12.7 million. I was in Albuquerque, NM, where the Rail Runner BiLevel cars and locos are being parket at and they're all dirty, and abandoned. its SAD! Well it'll be a good thing if things ever get off the ground. There was also an article in TRAINS magazine, Feb. '06, pages 26-27.