Lost sheep? Maybe this is why BNSF has been leasing MRL units. So much of their own is wandering elsewhere? I notice that front and rear number boards are different styles. Boxcab E50
obviously, BNSF can't keep the MRL they leased in their terriortory either, I saw an ex-Suzie-Q SD45 letttered from MRL sandwiched between a pair of NS D40-9's, a couple weeks ago.
Jerry, How does a railroad go about getting its locomotives and rolling stock back after its been loaned or whatever? Thanks
There obviously must be some type of leasing agreement between BNSF and NS???? or does the NS in BNSF have a hidden ownership agreement lol
Seeing BNSF units is common on NS's Sandusky Line as is UP units. Going to the NS yard at Bellevue(Oh) is like visiting a club..You never know what road name you will see. Thanks JD for sharing..
I've seen wild loco combinations recently. A CN loco with 3 BNSF in New Mexico. A KCS loco on a UP mainline in Colorado. I was told there has been a huge upswing in RR traffic and the railroads are having to pool their motive power. Makes sense with the huge increase in gas/diesel fuel prices. The increased cost per unit shipped due to increased fuel prices is much higher with the trucking industry than with the railroads.
Locomotives usage is based by hours used. Say in a given month, NS power is used on the BNSF for a combined total of 5000 hours. BNSF would 'owe' the NS 5000 horsepower hours. They may do this by using run-through power, or assign a group of units to the NS. When the hours are used up, which is usually watched pretty close, the units are put on trains heading back to the BNSF.
Wow, nice catch JD! Nice to see a BN 2-window SD60M unpatched - I didn't think there were any of those left untouched! I see it still even has a "COMMERCE" homeport stencil, from when it and other BN SD60Ms were assigned to the engine facility out here in Commerce, CA. Would be nice to see it assigned out here again, instead of all the BNSF HII Dash 9s that are everywhere.
I don't know what we give to other rrs for equalisation. Seems we get junk from them. IMHO BNSF units are maintained the best, tho some of the old stuff you dont want in the lead, but even then they aren't trashed... just loud and unairconditioned. I suppose it wouldn't do to send your best stuff off line. But, what do you do when most of your stuff is quality, re: EMD whisper cabs and new GEs (if you can call GEs "quality"). [ 16. September 2004, 04:28: Message edited by: Kevin Dahlstedt ]
I've seen a lot of NS and CN out in SoCal. That's a lot of Horsepower hours just to get back home, so I imagine they get a lot of BNSF power.
The number board configuration is standard for SD 60-Ms. The rear number boards are held in place by a rubber gasket. Typical for an EMD unit front and rear. The front number boards on the 60-M are framed in by an outside door with an elipse cutout in it. The standard number board text cannot be viewed through the cutout and thus is smaller so it can be seen clearly. The two window version cabs have the front number boards above the front windows. The three window versions have the number boards located midway up on the nose.
Not sure if you were responding to my earlier post? If so, I was noting the different numeral styles in the boards, front versus rear. Boxcab E50
It was the long explanation! The numerals are different from front to back because the boards are different from front to back. Those boards are standard for BN SD 60 Ms.
Nice catch! I don't mind seeing H2 -9's much anymore, especially the new DCeez!! Tunnel 27, on the old D&RGW Moffat Route:
