A long way from home rails, SD45-2's rarely visit Montana: Bluebonnets come thru frequently, but not SD45-s, so this was a treat!
Likely an sd40-3 rebuilt from a sd45-2. New prime mover. They are about the only remaining units of this heritage from ATSF days.
Definitely an SD45-3 on the outside, but I wasn't aware they had any SD45's left, so maybe WigWag is right. Nice shot anyway!
Very likely right--only regionals/short lines have 20-cylinder prime movers these days. Either way, it is cool to see an SD45-2 body!
Last couple of SD45-2s we've had were a pair of Helm Leasing rent-a-wrecks used by DGNO, which have since been replaced by a pair of Helm SD40-2s. No "cub scout" -2s for quite a while on BNSF, and they were showing up on the TXIX rock trains. Good catch on a diesel that's getting rarer and rarer each day.
I spotted it heading north on the Ft Benton local this morning. I suppose it'll be here a few more days?
I still get to see the MRL SD45's and 45-2's every day......seems like most of them are sporting fresh paint. A lot of the BNSF trains seem to have a single 45 cut in on the head end as a helper.......I don't see the SD70ACe's till at least 3 helpers are needed.
I'm not sure where you are in Montana Dave, but a friend of mine works the helper service out of Livingston and hes told me that the sets there are 3 or 4 unit sets of SD45s or 1 three unit set of the 70ace. Hes said on curtain trains there are rules on how many units can be pushing. If they have a 4 unit set they can only use three units. There are 3 to 4 helper sets there and if I did my math right, thats at least nine SD45s in one town. Just to hear those growling out of town every night. Have to say my friend is one lucky guy. If interested I can link to his Pictures out of Livingston for you.
I would like to know where in MT Dave is, too, as someday I would like to meet him! I would be interested in seeing some Livingston photos... That's where I saw my first F45, and SD70ACe in MRL paint. Jan '06!
Hemi, You asked therefore you shall receive. Railroad Picture Archives.NET Look for his albums in the right side of your screen.
BN9900, you should have your buddy visit TB! I liked the lightning shot of an SD45. very cool. Never been able to pull that one off.
I think he's signed up but he's busy working helper service now and sleeps a chunk of the off time. He told me he was just snapping and hoping that he'd get that shot and the forth click got it for him. He updates that about once a week. I am assuming you found the Livingston Album.
