I live in Long Lake, Minnesota, beside the BNSF line to Wilmar, MN.
Recently, I saw (and, I think, photgraphed) a lashup on the head-end of a passing train that had a MRL SD45 in it.
Now that I see those units have until fall unitl they’re displaced by SD70’s (egad, egad) and not knowing if I can get to Montana anytime soon, here is my question: how often do Montana Rail Link units visit the BNSF in the Twin Cities?
Thanks!
Richard Krebes
Passin’ time watching trains go by in Long Lake, Minnesota
Sorry that I can not answer your question about them being in the Twin Cities, however, I have seen a Rail Link unit or two in Southwest Missouri back in February. [:0]
Now maybe some of the other forum members can tell us how often they get off line. [8D]
The BNSF has leased 30 MRL units for over a year now. Those are the units you see in the Twin Cities and other locations across the system. Routings by BNSF are at their whim and are mostly random.
The MRL SD70ACe units will be delivered in the Fall and will be used in helper service and on MRL’s Missoula/Laurel and Laurel/Missoula trains. All of the SD45s that have been upgraded to -2 standards are likely to be around for some time to come especially if they can be leased to other roads.
