I am looking into building a BNSF Intermodal Rail line , the problem is , I have no such line anywhere near me. I would like to know if there are some members who would have photos that I could study. Maybe some background on Locomotives and cars used on those particular lines.
I will be building with HO Scale equipment , if that helps anyone.
Any and all replies would be greatly appreciated.
Oh yeah , one more thing ! I will be building in the present tense,so anything from 2000 up will be a wonderful help.
first of all, [#welcome]. BNSF is a great line to model.
BNSF uses SD40-2s, SD70MACs, and C44-9s on intermodal trains quite a bit. Almost any 6-axle could be used. There isn’t really one specific line that has different power, nor are there lines that sees strictly intermodal. Any line that sees intermodal would most likely see coal, grain , and other types of trains too.
Doublestack containers are more common on BNSF than truck trailers.
Check out the Athearn 56’ well car and check out the Athearn 5 unit well car Those are used on BNSF quite a bit. another possible car is the Walthers 53’ well car. The Front runner is a possibility but they’re being scrapped so you won’t find many in a present-day setup.
Hope this helps some. These are some pics from Google Earth of BNSF’s massive yard and intermodal facility in the free trade zone at Alliance, TX just north of Forth Worth. In all of these pics North is oriented to the left. The first is a zoomed out shof of the entire yard. You see the intermodal lot on the top.
The second shot is near the south (right) end of the intermodal facility. Here you see a gantry crane unloading containers from a train.
Finally, here is a pic from the middle of the main yard including the fairly large car repair facility on the right.
