What Became of BNSF FMC Hoppers?

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I have an HO scale FMC hopper of BNSF, #436242. I notice it is not listed in Del Grosso’s recent BNSF Freight Cars reference book. Presuming that this was a real freight car at one time, what happened to this series of hoppers and a longshot question I know, but does anyone know if this hopper is now serving a new master?

2

I found them in the book. BNSF’s FMC-built covered hoppers should be in series 429978-430402, 432143-433019, 434597-434787, and 434853-436769 (all of which were ex-BN, C&S, or FW&D), and437108-437122, which were acquired from a grain elevator company’s reporting marks by BN (AFEX). As far as I know, BNSF hasn’t made any major effort to unload these cars.

(On the other hand, UP’s ex-CNW FMC-built covered hoppers went to First Union Rail, and are in the NOKL 819000 series and thereabouts).

3

CShaveRR

Was this in Del Grosso’s BNSF Railway Freight Cars Volume One (2004)? If so, what page? I don’t see it listed.

4

I have the 2002 book.

Don’t have the 2004 book (sounds like I should get one!), but if they’re not listed there it’s an oversight: the July 2005 Official Railway Equipment Register shows cars in the series in question.

5

Thanks for the clarification. Does this Official Railway Equipment Register show BNSF 50’ flat cars (293174 or 293921)? Del Grosso doesn’t list them either.

His book is quite good otherwise but he needs a Volume II to account for patched and unpatched legacy equipment.

6

Those two cars are no longer in existence. I didn’t check the Register for them, but I’m going with current information.