Two BNSF GP35’s, 2512 and 2569 are missing their air horns, which according to someone on a BNSF yahoo newsgroup were stolen somewhere in Texas, and the engines were found in that conidtion on arrival to Galveston, TX. Removing air horns from an engine would involve a little more effort than simply tagging an engine? The theft probably happened when the engines were idle in a rail yard.
Here’s the pasted message from the yahoo BNSF news group
I’ve got a set of old original air horns from a NYC F7 and they look like they were bolted on the engine, I’d figure that the GP35 horns were the same way. Someone would have to get on top of the engines with a socket wrench or something to do it, that’s some pretty heafty work for a theft like that.
Are the horns still mounted on top of the cab or have they been moved back on the long hood on the BNSF GP35s?
The BNSF GP35s horns are mounted toward the back of the long hood next to the fans. The thieves would probably try to sell the stolen items on ebay. That’s my guess anyway.
Wouldn’t be suprised if they did pop up on Ebay. One thing that would be helpful is if the railroad posted “what brand and type” of airhorns ( Nathan K3, Leslie RS5T, etc)
Probably a simple “ebay bound” theft but other possibilities as well:
Theives may be intending to sell on the marine market for use on boats. Thousands of pleasure and fishing craft come equipped with air compressor/tank combos powerful enough to blast locomotive horns. Appearancewise locomotive horns easily pass for marine horns.
Fanatical railfans or collectors - Guys like these hurt us as a whole. Hence the title: “Foamers”[V]
A dare or initiation requirement. Not so far fetched as many gangs (vermin[V]) now require recruits to perform “unusual” tasks for initiation. Stealing from a business or authority is often viewed as “defying the system” . Tagging, while still prevalent, isn’t viewed as challenging anymore. Vandalizing or stealing railroad property is viewed as extremely dangerous…just the kind of challenge some of these thugs go for. Like it or not, this is the “Fast & the Furious” generation.
