What the heck is this? (PIC)

This is at Devore California, BNSF intermodal, 2 NS units and…

That’s a NS SD70M in primer paint.

NS new stealth look!

It a NS locomotive that was rushed into service before it was painted in the NS colors…they had a order a few years ago, and due to a severe power shortage, they took delivery with out final paint and put htem directly in service.
There was a bunch of them running around for a while, but as they are shopped for any major repair, they get painted.

Ed

That justifies a undecorated unit yeah?

If your choice is paint or profit…yes.
Ed

Picture’s not working for me, but I think I know what you are talking about. I saw an NS in primer gray going through Cheyenne on a UP mixed freight headed west on Sunday. I tried to catch up to it and get a picture for myself, but no joy. If I remember correctly though, I think it was #9917 (looked like it was just stencled on!)

UP did the same thing in the early 70’s

dd

I can understand getting the units and painting them later, if you need them but, did you really need them asap if they are on someone else’s road…still unpainted [?]

or…

Maybe you could have BNSF paint them for you since you pool a lot of power with them; just be sure they paint them in Red and Silver and leave the “B” and the “S” out and don’t forget the Horsehead [:o)][:p]

Al Krug’s BNSF site had some pictures of units in primer that looked for all the world like they were made of plastic.

Santa Fe took I think the last order of B-40-8w in pink primer since they were power short at the time most of them were delivered on teh Streator connection track going to Kanasas city to be set up to beput into service.