They are famous because there was fanfare when they came out (power by the hour)
They represented a new generation of power on a major railroad
They had a unique and colorful paint scheme that was related to the EMD demonstrator scheme that was very different from the BN paint Scheme.
And that meant they were very popular photography subjects.
Unique locos usually are.
They aren't famous like a movie star is famous, but famous amongst foamers.
A string of the Oakway SD60s is parked west of the BNSF depot in Lincoln, Neb., and earlier there were reports of a large number of them stored at Creston, Iowa.
MRL is indeed a union operation, BN shed the ex-NP main for other reasons whcih currently escape me. MRL had a dispute with the Railroad Retirement Board related to employees at the Livingston Rebuild Center. It was ruled that the LRC is a railroad-related business and its employees are covered by Railroad Retirement instead of Social Security.
CSSHEGEWISCHThe Oakway SD60's are noted for pioneering the "power-by-the-hour" concept. This was also an attempt by management to evade existing shopcraft union contracts which barred outsourcing of maintenance and overhaul. The IAM and other unions rightfully blew the whistle on this maneuver and the SD60's were maintained by BN employees. Since this may have been one of the attractions of "power-by-the-hour", the concept was not repeated elsewhere.
The Oakway SD60's are noted for pioneering the "power-by-the-hour" concept. This was also an attempt by management to evade existing shopcraft union contracts which barred outsourcing of maintenance and overhaul. The IAM and other unions rightfully blew the whistle on this maneuver and the SD60's were maintained by BN employees. Since this may have been one of the attractions of "power-by-the-hour", the concept was not repeated elsewhere.
I heard that in the late 1980s BN spun off NP-tracks in Montana and Idaho to form MRL and get around their employee's union, though I think MRL employees have union representation anyway?
The paint looks great on this one sitting on the lead to the elevator in Grand Ledge, MI a couple years ago:
Karl Scribner
Sunfield Twp. Michigan
Kentucky Southern Railway
Well, outdated as in being over 20 yrs old not being compliant with the latest emissions standards. NS and CSX are rebuilding 25-30 yr old SD50s that use 645s into SD40Es and SD50-2s, which are even older than the SD60s. I guess someone can do the same with SD60s. UP is having EMD rebuild several SD60Ms with a 3,200hp 12-710ECO, which will be reclassified as SD59M-2s.
Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."
The Missabe Road: Safety First
I am guessing the reason they are "famous" is because when they came out a lot was heard about them. Hard to believe that was all awhile ago, and they are considered to be pretty much outdated now.
(1) They pumped some life into the now gone Colorado & Wyoming Southern Division by using their Allen Mine locomotive shops as a maintenance headquarters.
(2) Those early SD60's were famous for crankshaft failures and crankcase explosions. Lotsa kerosene was used to get the black off the blue & white. (Along with the GE LMX "sharks"/ B40-8's which largely were a failure and are now scatterered or scrapped)
They helped BN, who had terrible problems with high tonnage motive power, keep some fluidity out of the PRB supplementing their tired C-Boat, SD40-2 and SD45 fleet. BN locomotive failures on the Denver-Pueblo joint line were an ugly everyday issue. Not unusual to get a BN 5 unit consist coming into (limping into) Pueblo with only 1 or 2 engines running.
I figured you'd defend it by saying they helped pioneer "power by the hour" leasing with these 100 units...
I'm not sure I understand your reasoning that these 100 SD60M's were famous because of the reasons. There's nothing notable about having onboard computers, 20 year leases (A fairly common length for locomotive leases), turbocharged 710's, etc. They were things already present by the time these were delivered (Such as the spartan cab SD60's on the Union Pacific, Soo, and C&NW) and many hundreds more turbocharged computerized 710 engined CC's have been produced since and continue to be produced.
I imagine your not seeing them as much because they're over two decades old and BNSF has many newer and more efficient units in storage due to the downturn in traffic. When they're needed they'll be taken out of storage and returned to service if they're still on the property.
beaulieuFour are running on the Indiana RR as GMTX leasers, those are the only ones running that I know of.
That is incorrect, INRD has never operated any of the former Oakway SD60's. The Paducah & Louisville RR has 4 of them on lease and has been operating them since atleast August 2009.
A large portion of the fleet has been stored at VMV in Paducah,KY and Progress Rail in Mayfield,KY.
Bryan Jones
When the Oakways came onto BN property in the mid 80's there were like a breath of fresh air to those of us sick of seeing nothing but white and green.They were a major leap in technology and represented a new age in locomotive design and power.Although we had the SD40-2's and other simlar locomotives the SD60's were different.They had a distinct idle sound,on board computers,and were stronger than any locomotive in the yard.Burlington northern and later the BNSF loved those locomotives.They leased them for over 20 years which is very unusual and from what I have read still plan on leasing 50 more.SD60 Oakways despite their age was often used as head locomotives in a train.Very often you would see brand new locomotives behind the aging SD60's.Engineers loved driving them and riding in them.They were very strong,very reliable,and after 24 years the paint still looks very good as they have never been painted.The whole fleet is nearly intact a real rarity!
They may not be famous to a lot of people.But for those of us who grew up with them they will always be a symbol of a locomotive that made a great first impression,pulled like there was no tomorrow,beat the odds with wrecks,breakdowns,and problems,had a excellent paint job,and continue to flex their muscle with the best of the best out there despite their age.
Not to ask the "dumb" question...but why are they famous?
Dan
Famous? For what? I haven't seen, or heard of any, lately on the BNSF in Montana. We have a surplus of 'good' locomotives. Even had a ES44AC serving as power for the "Oil Local" switcher in Shelby last week. I wonder what the Power Desk and the RFEs thought of that! A bit of "over-kill", methinks. Usually, a SD40-2, or two, does the job.
Hays
I haven't seen the famous Oakway SD60's in a while.I was wondering where they went to or if BNSF is still going to use them in the future.
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