When did BNSF take delivery of there first HII C44's? And when were they reciving the C44's with no striping, just the green and orenge paint? Kevin
Off the top of my head, I think the first of the HII C44's were beginning to appear when we were over in February 1997. At the same time we also saw some in primer grey, and some in green/orange without lettering, except for temporary numbers.
Kevin, Without actually answering your question about the exact date, I have stumbled across some pretty good info... According to the July/August 1999 Diesel Era magazine article on BNSF C44-9W's (which is a must-have if you are modeling these H-II units) the first units wearing the Heritage II scheme were 740 and 745, with 739 coming out with orange and green but no stripes. (according to the article, the lettering was later applied in Spokane, WA) The builder's dates on the 700 series run from June '97 to October '97. So, although the article didn't give an exact date the H-II was born, you could assume that the units were delivered in order at a rate of 20 per month which would put 740 coming off the line in August 1997. Another DE article (March/April 2000) about the "Chili-MACS" says H-II 44's came out in September and then the first MAC getting H-II in November. I also found a Dec97 RailNews magazine news article and photo of 739 and 740 in Livingston, Montana dating September 14, 1997. It shows the 739 sans lettering. The article also mentions that the primered units began in October 1997 with numbers 776 and 777, and (with possible exceptions) continued throughout the rest of the 700 series as well as 4720-4744 and 4764 of a late '97 order. Well, I hope this helps and maybe it will at least get the discussion going a little. BTW, back issues of Diesel Area can be ordered from the web at http://www.witherspub.com/deback.htm Back issues of RailNews can be found at http://www.pentrex.com/magazines-railnews-magazine-back-issues.html Enjoy!
Thanks Alan! I must say I've recently discovered this site and its an incredible source of info. A little background, I grew up on BN's former FW&D line in Bowie, TX and I now reside in the Dallas area where my railfanning and model railroading interests have returned after a few years away. I have also started building a website at www.tower55.com that covers railroading in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I model N-Scale BN and some BNSF and hope to eventually build a large layout based on the 90's era FW&D lines from Fort Worth to Amarillo. (yes, I know, I definitely subscribe to "the trains are the scenery" idea...not much in the way of scenery in this area) Anyway, I have already learned a wealth of modeling and prototype info from y'all and I hope I can continue to contribute and correspond with everyone. Thanks again, Doug A. P.S. I've been eyeing those pup trailers...I hope I can get my paws on a few of them! (no pun intended)
Yeah, Doug. This site is building up an incredible amount of information, especially in N Scale No matter what the query, someone always seems to have the answer. Had a quick look at your website, Tower 55 is dwarfed by those overpasses - pity!
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan: Tower 55 is dwarfed by those overpasses - pity!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> EVERYTHING is bigger here in Texas. Dwight
