Trains.com

What is TMF?

2837 views
18 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
What is TMF?
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 9, 2004 6:18 PM
While watching a mixed freight today, I saw something I have never seen on this particular line in 10+ years. It was 3 GP-40's. The lead was a green BN followed by a union pacific (with a dark line across the "union Pacific" lettering), followed by a grey with red letters "TMF". This engine looked identical to the KCS gray with red lettered engines. What is TMF?
If it matteres, this line is a BNSF line.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: St.Catharines, Ontario
  • 3,770 posts
Posted by Junctionfan on Saturday, October 9, 2004 6:34 PM
Are you sure it wasn't TFM?
Andrew
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 9, 2004 7:00 PM
TFM is a Mexican railroad largely owned by the KCS.

LC
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 9, 2004 7:11 PM
According to my latest roster, TFM has only 4 GP40's.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Mexico
  • 2,629 posts
Posted by egmurphy on Saturday, October 9, 2004 7:19 PM
Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana. As LC said, it is mainly owned by KCS, who are currently involved in increasing their share of ownership.

The Nov 2003 issue of Trains had a very good article on the privatizacion of FNM, divided mainly into the companies TFM, Ferromex, and Ferrosur.

Regards

Ed



The Rail Images Page of Ed Murphy "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home." - James Michener
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 9, 2004 10:34 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

Are you sure it wasn't TFM?


Yes, I apologize, it was "TFM" In my haste to post I transposed the lettering.

I believe now this was truly a rare sight. Why would I see this TFM on a usually only BNSF line? It was Southbound in extreme NW Iowa. I have never seen this here. Thanks for all the input.
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Monday, October 11, 2004 6:31 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jamison1

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

Are you sure it wasn't TFM?


Yes, I apologize, it was "TFM" In my haste to post I transposed the lettering.

I believe now this was truly a rare sight. Why would I see this TFM on a usually only BNSF line? It was Southbound in extreme NW Iowa. I have never seen this here. Thanks for all the input.
Jamison - I watch the BNSF exclusively here in Lincoln - I saw, just this past weekend - CN and CSX - and ELMO. I see KCS through here from time to time. The gentlemen on the forum are probably tired of saying that it is just run through power -
I think the CSX was here for possible maintenance at our very fine shops and the CN was just traveling. They borrow power and repay power that way. Or maybe CN was on vacation - (I am smiling - see me?)

Mookie

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Monday, October 11, 2004 10:20 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Guilford350

According to my latest roster, TFM has only 4 GP40's.


But they all have 14" wheel sets, cherry bomb stacks, and subwoofers in the place of the dynamic brakes. [;)]
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: West Coast
  • 4,122 posts
Posted by espeefoamer on Monday, October 11, 2004 2:11 PM
And a set of fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror* in the cab.
* EMD had to add the mirror so the crew would have a place to hang the dice[:)].
Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Monday, October 11, 2004 2:12 PM
And just wait till you hear what they did with the horns........
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Monday, October 11, 2004 2:21 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by espeefoamer

And a set of fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror* in the cab.
* EMD had to add the mirror so the crew would have a place to hang the dice[:)].
They told me it was for the conductor to check his hair-do!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Monday, October 11, 2004 4:45 PM
You forgot the chromed chain reverser, the fringe around the cab headliner, diamond tuck upholstery on the seats, and those blue lights on the hood, with the floursecent lights on the under frame!!!

And the naked lady window sticker....

Ed

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,018 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, October 11, 2004 8:14 PM
Can't forget the pink and purple tuck and roll....

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Monday, October 11, 2004 9:22 PM
Now we're talkin Esse....jou gotta nice ride dere......lessee what's under da hood.....jou got hydraulics on dis esse?
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 5:57 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

You forgot the chromed chain reverser, the fringe around the cab headliner, diamond tuck upholstery on the seats, and those blue lights on the hood, with the floursecent lights on the under frame!!!

And the naked lady window sticker....

Ed
The naked lady is for Limitedclear only.

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 5:59 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

Now we're talkin Esse....jou gotta nice ride dere......lessee what's under da hood.....jou got hydraulics on dis esse?
Ok - I know I am going to hate myself for asking - but what's an Esse? Maybe I am missing this like I did the ELMO....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 9:36 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

Now we're talkin Esse....jou gotta nice ride dere......lessee what's under da hood.....jou got hydraulics on dis esse?
Ok - I know I am going to hate myself for asking - but what's an Esse? Maybe I am missing this like I did the ELMO....


Ed'll tell ya, it's a term of endearment in the 5th ward or Houston Heights area...specially if you got no bidness being there after dark....
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Balto. MD
  • 213 posts
Posted by Rick Gates on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 9:45 AM
Does this mean that when stopped or appraohed by another consist, they get the Loco. bouncing up and down? Jou loco Esse! [:-^]
Railroaders do it on steel
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 9:53 AM
Yeah, but it makes flat spots on the wheels and is hell on the trackwork.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy