As the new AC4400CWs arrive on the property, one would expect to see some of the SD45-2s to be stored or sold. So far, they continue to roam the rails. Many are still used as leaders on trains but they probably won't last too much longer. Seen arriving Clovis about daylight on July 5th was train S-LPCLBT1-03 with BNSF 6473 leading BNSF 7010, 7055, & 6948 with 86 loads and 6613 tons. The B-CHIWAT5-08 was seen departing Fort Madison, IA and heading west to Watson, CA via Raton Pass with BNSF Dash 8-40CW 825 & BNSF SD45-2B 7506. On June 30th, train L-KAN0361-30 departed Waynoka, OK for Amarillo with BNSF 6511 in the lead followed by GP50 3139. BNSF is still power short of six axle power to just lug trains. They have reached an agreement with National Rail to lease 55 former CNW SD50s for power. 35 of these units are being cycled through the shops at Tacoma and lettered NREX before being let loose on the BNSF. They have been stored at Richland, WA for quite some time. Most are in UP paint, but at least two are still supposed to be in CNW paint. 20 more are to come to BNSF from Silvis, IL and are ex CR units. The units from Silvis are: NREX 5446, 5450, 5451, 5453, 5456, 5458, 5459, 5461, 5465, 5467, 5469, 5470, 5471, 5473, 5474, 5477, 8690, 8692, 8696, & 8698. They had been stored in Pennsylvania at an RMDI facility for a while. The Ex CNW units are as follows: CNW 7005, CNW 7009, All the rest lettered UP 5060, 5064, 5066, 5068, 5070, 5094. As of July 6th, the two ex CNW painted units and UP 5070, 5074 & 5075 were at Interbay yard in Seattle all lettered NREX. BNSF has had some odd power consists of foreign power lately. One such consist was IC SD70 1002 leading ex LMS units with CN logos on the side and an green FURX SD40-2. Train G-EDUPLX9-17 was seen running down the Boise City sub with IC 1002, IC 2457, IC 2456 & FURX 8123 for power on June 20th. The empty train returned from Plainview with the same consist seen in Amarillo on June 21st as train X-PLXEDU9-21. The same consist was seen again leaving Garden City on June 26th on train G-EDUFTX9-25 heading for Friona, TX. It returned with the 8123 leading the consist as train X-FTXHUT9-28 on the Transcon heading for Hutchinson, KS. The train picked up BNSF 4585 & 7841 at Canadian, TX off of a work train then when it arrived in Wellington, it set out IC 1002 and 2457 for a Wellington to Galveston grain train. Both the 2456 & 2457 are in the CN lettering with IC sublettering on the cab side and still in Conrail blue. On June 10th train V-KCKGAL1-09 departed Kansas City with BNSF GP15-1 1497 followed by SD9s 6134 & 6162 for power. The train was 10 cars of intermodal equipment for East Peoria and was loaded with auto parts. Several Wisconsin Central units have been seen on BNSF lately. One set was actually a UP trackage rights train, but was all WC power and all old power to boot. UP train A-GBPX-30 was seen in Fort Madison, IA on June 30th with WC SD45 6622, GP40 3012 & SD45 6529 all elephant style. That same train was seen at McPherson, KS on the UP Golden State Route the next day but with the 6529 leading so the 6622 must have had some sort of problem. Eastbound Vehicle train V-KCKGAL1-02 was sighted at Ethel, MO with BNSF 1482, BN 6261, WC 6583, CSXT 8094, & CSXT 8046 (GP15-1, SD38-2, SD45, 2 SD40-2s). The H-GALBAR1-03 departed Marceline, MO with BNSF SD40-2 7848 followed by WC SD45s 6584 & 6615. On July 3rd, at Eton, MO, UP train I-CIIM was seen eastbound on the BNSF with UP 4948, WC 3012 & WC 6622. Two of the trio that went west a few days earlier. And finally at Wellington, KS on July 7th, Train M-AMSKCK1-06 was seen with FURX SD40-2 7224 (in BNSF Heritage 1 paint), BNSF GP50 3201 (Heritage 1), WC SD45 6614 (Dead) NS SD40-2 3232 (High Hood and lettered CNO&TP, also dead), ATSF Dash 8-40CW 866, and BNSF GP39M 2894 (BN Green). On July 2nd, train H-GFDGAL1-01 was seen leaving Fountain City, WI with WC 6615, WC 6584 & BNSF 7848. This is the same power that was on the H-GALBAR1-03 seen in Marceline, MO, only reversed.
I'm curious about the condition of those ex-C&NW SD50 locos. From what I recall hearing or reading, they were well on their way to being worn out. Might need some serious reconditioning before seeing action on BNSF rails? Boxcab E50
We saw a trio of them at Interbay last Thursday ahnd they didn't look too bad. THeir coat of armour yellow is clean anyway, though I can't say how they are under the hood.
I can't attest to the condition of the CNW SD50s, but from what i've been told, the ex-MP SD50s were run into the ground by UP.
Bob. Just a short note from the Tacoma end of the BNSF. I started seeing thr NERX units about 2 weeks ago going into the Tacoma shops. I did not know what they were doing with them so thanks for the information. The 5071 and the 5063 were the first two I saw go into the shops. There lookd bad execpt for the UP yellow which was clean. Both units missing headlights and other things on the outside and from what I could tell when they stoped in front of me before being put into the shop by the switcher there may be many items missing from the cabs. There are also two of these locos at the shops of Tacoma Rail in Fife, WA. I presume that BNSF has either ask Tacoma Rail to help get these locos back on the road or they have put them in storage for the BNSF until the shop can handle them. There are also several other BNSF and ex ATSF locos stored at Tacoma Rail but I am not sure if they are serviceable. I will stop there next week and ask and get a picture or two for the board. Also, on Friday I saw a yellow Also S-1 departing dead in train on the Tac-Pas headed for Pasco, WA. It was lettered for the US Navy. Not sure where its going. Shannon WP LIVES
{Also, on Friday I saw a yellow Also S-1 departing dead in train on the Tac-Pas headed for Pasco, WA. It was lettered for the US Navy. Not sure where its going. } The Navy S-1 ended up in Chehalis. It is sitting with a string of cars just across from the mint plant. David
I just love these old posts to see what was happening back when. Still see some 42-2 but now lettered for lease fleets.
With their passion for such units, a person might wonder if any could have gone to MRL. But I believe fuel costs probably prevented that move. Boxcab E50
