BNSF in western Oregon

Trains Magazine Trackside Guides
1

Did anyone notice, the BNSF no longer comes to Eugene, OR. It changed hands 2 weeks ago and is now PW Portland Western, a short line of the larger short line systems, I believe it’s part of Rail Tex, but not sure.
Gone are GP38’s now PW operates with SD45’s ? I’m not sure what they are. Distintive whistle, though as I live less 1 mile from their track.
This used to be SPS (Spokane, Portland and Seattle,then the BN but before that, the Oregon Electric, an inter-urban Portland to Eugene in 1920’s. Stations West historical book also states that was a freight hawler, too.
That route would make an excellent modern comuter rr if upgraded to high-speed trackage. That way comuter rr would not be waiting for UP to allow it time on its main line Eugene to Portland to Seattle.

Blah, blah, blah
I know, you’re getting tired of hearing me.
Thanks for listening.
BillSP

2

Portland & Western has assigned two of its former ATSF GP39-2s (2300 number series) and one of its former SP SD9s (1850 number series) to work in the Eugene area.

Here in the Portland area, I’ve also noticed several different locomotives operating in P&W service. These include one in Allegheny & Eastern colors, relettered for the Buffalo & Pittsburgh (also owned by P&W owner Genessee & Wyoming Industries) and two units lettered for HATX and wearing the colors of Rocky Mountaineer Railtours.

If you get up to Albany, check out the P&W shop area for a diverse range of locomotives, including several former Illinois & Midland units and ex-SP and ex-ATSF units still in their former colors.