We had a train pull into Proviso today powered by two BNSF units…nothing else!
The second one was a Santa Fe Warbonnet (I could have given the models if I’d taken down the numbers).
Is that who UP’s gonna merge with now?
Carl (quickly ducking for cover)[}:)]
(Seriously, I’ve not seen a train powered that way before; we don’t normally receive transfers from BNSF, and I haven’t heard of any detour moves that would account for this.)
Probably just paying off horsepower hours owed elsewhere…
LC
Carl
saw the same thing in Garrett Indiana.2 Ns dash 9’s in a csx yard.I just thought wow.
stay safe
Joe
I have been seeing a fair amount of BNSF units on the CP between Milwaukee & Chicago lately, along with UP and NS and CSX units.
Train-watching may be more boring now with so many of the same model types (C44-9’s and such), but the variety of paint schemes seems to be better than ever.
On the opposite end of the power use spectrum, we see regular trains through Aurora on the BNSF triple track main with nothing but UP power, so what you saw in Proviso really means little in the overall scheme of things these days.
I wouldn’t go that far, Eolafan. You see UP trains on the BNSF because we have trackage rights there (inherited from SP). As far as I know, BNSF has no trackage rights on any of the ex-CNW lines out of Chicago.
I saw a BNSF Locomotive on a train in Elmhurst a while ago
DOGGY
Carl- I think you have a point! the last time I’ve seen BNSF motive power on the ex-CNW lines was the leased BN diesel they used on the Harvard Sub for the movie Groundhog Day[:D]
Mike
OK. I was just trying to have some fun with the “here are some engines–is there going to be a merger?” crowd.
Where I saw this freight (not a unit or intermodal train), it could have been anything–an incoming transfer from one of the eastern railroads, or one of our trains from the south (via Yard Center). I honestly don’t have a clue.
And yes, Doggy (and others), BNSF power does appear on occasion on trains from the west. That could be power equalization or any other plausible explanation.
(Doggy, next time you’re in Elmhurst and see an old idiot on a bike with a 35-pound backpack, headed east in mid-afternoon, it’s probably me…bark at me or something!)
I’ve also seen former BNSF power (in green and orange, as well as BN green) that is being leased by somebody (again, where I saw it, it could be UP, or CSX, NS, CP, or anyone else who brings stuff into Proviso).
But never before had I seen a train come in powered by active BNSF–and only BNSF–power. The first unit was a Dash 9 in the most modern BNSF paint scheme. The second unit was a Warbonnet, lettered “Santa Fe”–not “BNSF”–on the sides.
Carl
We see UP, BNSF all the time here in Richwood KY on NS track. Even get a few Sante Fe paint scheme on occasion.
My son saw a coal hopper today that still had the “L&N” markings on it. This was in Walton KY on the “Short Line” to Louisville KY.I was in the store and told him to keep an eye out for me for anything different . Oh, how it would be nice to see “The Old Reliable” again.
Brian (KY)
I was suprised when I learned how much the railraods actually share when it comes to equipment and tracks and what not.
I suppose it’s in the best interests of the railways to work together so they are that much more competitive with other modes of transport.
Here’s something to chew on, apparently CN and CP up here in Canada are now starting to consider the sharing of crews.
It will doubtfully not happen for a while, but when you think about it, in the long run all the railroads will probably all be working together, BNSF crew with CP power pulling a CN train on UP tracks…
Yes, but Brian, what if you saw something being pulled by a pair of CSX units in Richwood? That’s about the same as having BNSF units come into our place.
(Oh, I forgot…CSX is a fan of single units!)
Carl
We rarely ever have CSX in Richwood on NS. I can only recall seeing it just a couple times and it was different. My parents live on CSX (L&N)line from Cincy to Corbin and I have only saw just one NS over there. That is a very rare sight to see foriegn power over there, but they do use UP alot.
The short line to Louisville has always been known to use foreign power, so seeing something different there you just overlook it and go on.
Thanks
Brian (KY)
Last week I saw a train on the UP heading towards LA with a solid set of 3 BNSF units.
Carl! Send them back here! Lincoln is missing a lot of their usual engines going through - in fact we are missing a great deal of traffic right now! Maybe BNSF is taking the month of March off to vacation in other states?
Well mookie there were some coming home as I saw them go west on Ns this morning after work.[:)]
stay safe
Joe