Who uses the AARX reporting marks? My first assumption was the AAR. But I saw a GP7u (No. 2101) with the marks switching cars at a rural grain elevator in Nebraska. From what I saw and from the research I did it had been there a few years and is Ex-Nebraska Central and Exx-ATSF.
Thanks in advance for any answers.
The current listing of reporting marks shows both AAR and AARX as being the American Association of Railroads. That’s not to say that AARX didn’t have another assignment in a prior life.
It seems to have had the reporting mark since 2012.
AARX is a temporary Reporting Mark used to move locomotives from one non-rail operating company to another. The Class I railroads have cracked down on the movement of equipment without reporting marks. To avoid having a run on Reporting Marks with Railinc, the Class I railroads now use the “AARX” reporting marks for such moves. In the past I saw the use of “STBX” for such a move, the refusal to move a piece of equipment without a Reporting Mark on its own wheels, plus pressure from the STB may have been the reason for the AARX reporting marks. The cost to create a new Reporting Mark just for the movement of a single piece of equipment may also have been a factor.
How can it be temporary if it is applied for 5 + Years. Also the locomotive interchanged cars with BNSF and possibly ran on their rails.
[quote user=“beaulieu”]
In the past I saw the use of “STBX” for such a move.
[quote]
I believe STBX is used by Sterling Bomba LLC.
If it’s stayed on “home” rails (the elevator), odds are there’s been no real need for the owner to bother changing the mark. They should, but what the heck? Only a curious railfan is going to notice…
If it has been on BNSF rails as power, the DS never sees it, so they can tell him whatever they want. The elevator may actually have a reporting mark, so that’s what will probably show up on track warrants, etc.
When it leaves the property to be shopped or moved. The smaller elevators tend to share locomotives during different harvest seasons.
The Santa Fe GP7, GP9 and CF7 Topeka Cabs outlasted many of the simple rebuilds. No question whose those belonged to.
AAR Auditors and billing clerks must get some headscratchers if that stuff moves.