Surprised to see active leased power during this down economy

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I saw a CEFX AC44CW coupled to a BNSF EMD today on a BNSF coal train in Wisconsin. I was surprised to see the CEFX unit, given that BNSF has in the range of 1,000 of their own units laid up.

I guess if BNSF had a committed lease from prior to the downturn, which obligated them to certain costs associated with the leased unit, whether they used them or not, then it made sense, otherwise it would be pretty perplexing as to why they’d run this unit and idle their own.

2

DS - I keep track of engine numbers thru here (Nebraska) and find I keep seeing those same CEFX numbers over and over. I think they must be on long term lease.

Mook

3

HI Mookie,

Thanks for the reply. I think that this one was 1006. Showed up on a coal train from the PRB to Green Bay.

Thx