With all of the new engines BNSF has been receiving, they seem to be running short of number series to assign. I have heard to open more numbers, they are re-lettering some older power with "GN". has anyone seen or photographed these? If so, please share a few pictures?
I don't have any photos personally, but they are out there. Previously only units going off roster got GN reporting marks. That is no longer true. For example, I believe all the SW units are now GN marks. They've also started using BN as a mark since all they need do is blank the SF.
I conducted a search and found these, I don't think this is exactly what you were looking for but they are BNSF renumbered with GN; The BNSF rosters I could find made no mention of using other marks http://www.locophotos.com/Search.php This photo taken in 2014 This photo taken in 2011 Last photo taken in 2013.
Wow. The middle one looks interesting for the mismatched fonts. The last one was definately done in haste, looks like with a spray can. Reminds me of old MP practice, where subsidiary roads would be indicated by very small initials.
2011? I must have missed something, going that far back! The last unit doesn't have any reporting number, which is unusual. Normally they need a unit number and an owner mark.
Click on the link: http://www.locophotos.com/Search.php and there are several, I am not sure where these were headed but at first I thought they were a joke.
With the lettering on the long hood, I have to wonder if it's a training aid and therefore doesn't move out onto the normal system. I mean, if it's only used in captive service within a dedicated area?
I have photos going back to 2010 of this. BNSF used to use the GN marks for units being sold or scrapped, but now they are using it for switchers, to free up roster numbers for the new road units.
Yes, as jpwisc says, in 2010 though 2014, GN was used as reporting marks for units being moved off roster. Either units to be sold or returned to leaser or heading for major remanufacture. STARTING THE PAST FEW MONTHS, BNSF has started using GN for Switchers to free up space for new road units. Essentially their version of UPY. So looking for example photos is not going to be productive, the bulk of examples are going to be of LUBO/LUGO units, not current usage.
This must be where the quote I read was originally sourced by person(s) unknown. What I saw made it seem as thought the practice had just started. I would guess the lifted information was poorly written. What Sean writes is more understandable.
