I’m wondering what was typically used for locals on the BN from 1975 to 1985. I’m guessing that GP7s, GP9s, RS-3s, and RS-11s were used, but what else was used?
Second question: What were SW1500s with flexicoil trucks used for? Were they yard switchers, or did they run locals?
For the Locals on BN, GP7’s, GP9’s, F7’s (both A and B), F9’s (both A and B), SW1200’s, RS11’s, C415’s, and sometimes GP30’s or GP35’s.
Some cases, it was a “dog’s breakfast” lash up of F-units and Geeps.
When it came to Flexicoil trucks, they are more durable than the regular switcher trucks. The flexicoil trucks could be used from branch lines to main lines wherever the locomotive was needed.
The BN moved most all of the Alco power to the west end of the railroad, and most of the FA’s/RS3’s/switchers were scrapped by 1974. The Centuries and RS11’s were used until they dropped.
GP7/9’s, SD7/9’s, and F’s handled most of the secondary trains and branches, The ex-GN SW1500’s had flexicoil trucks, but seemed to be mixed with the rest of the yard switchers, The lack of toilet facilities played against them in road service by the late 70’s. The Minneapolis/St Paul - Fargo/Grand Forks - Duluth/Superior triangle was a hot spot for matched sets of F’s in the 70’s. Marias Pass helper operations also featured matched sets of F’s.
Jim
In Iowa the GP9s and GP7s were common on locals. My grandparents farm was on the branch that ran north out of Creston and I would often see sw1200s or similar switchers on this line. Main line locals might rate larger GPs or SD7 or 9s.
Stephen
The first new BN engines were GP38’s. They were generally assigned to the old SP&S (which had ordered them just before the merger). On that line, they were certainly seen in local service. You might also throw in the GP38-2’s and maybe the GP20, 30, and 35’s.
Ed
I thought that’s why the windows opened up [:-,]. Didn’t the cabooses used have “full service” facilities, or were they just used as a mobile office for paper work?
Cabooses had toilet facilities, but they weren’t often used due to aroma problems they caused in the caboose. I remember old NP conductor Warren McGee saying that on his cabooses the toilet was where they stored the fusees.
IIRC I did see a BN RS-11 once years ago in St.Paul, but no RS-3’s (although BN did have a few of them into the 1980’s). Generally it was EMD, Northtown was usually using SD-9’s for switching and hump service. On occassion an SW-1000 or SW1500 would show up.