BNSF E7????????

[Anonymous]

I saw this quite some time ago, but it still tinkle's my brain. It was on "RailPictures.net" The have a photo of the nose of what suposed to be a BNSF E7 #9920. I didn't know BNSF owned any E units at all. I'm trying to see how true this photo is, also get a full picture of it so I can model it. I like the colors. Look below for pic of the nose..................


http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=65098

Now, here's what I do know. I know that Burlington Northern had a E7 #9920, but it was ex CB&Q with stainless steel side panels and green nose. I thought they were scaped or sent to the musem. I'm also quite sure it's not a F unit. Here's the funny thing about this too. #9920 also belongs to a SD70MAC. How could this be......................................

[Anonymous]

According to the caption underneath, it's a static display in a park. Looks in good shape though so with luck someone might be able to get it running again. I know BN had an E9 and a couple of F9s for their business train that are now at the IRM - apparently the Fs were rebuilt to GP38-2 specifications internally. They also ran a number of E units on Chicago-area commuter services at one time.

[dknelson]

There are other photos, and information, about this engine at this website
http://www.trainweb.org/southwestshorts/keller.html
It is a former BN E9, painted and donated by the BNSF (but along the UP main?!?), according to the fellow who posted the info. That makes sense to me.
Dave Nelson

[jrbernier]

This is a 'stuffed & mounted' E9 in a park. Great CB&Q paint job on it - with a BNSF logo!

Jim

[Anonymous]

Thanks Dave, I checked out the site and in the 2nd pic, it sought of look like it's in operation. Can't really tell though, it may just be sitting there doing nothing at all "Static display". If anyone has a closer pic of this E7, please link it. It may not be in operation in real life, but it could be on my layout............................

[n2mopac]

I know also that BNSF has at least one GP9 with it original hight front hood in use and repainted in Heritage I or II (I can't remember which for sure) colors. I saw this thing come into town for local switching operations when I lived in Carrollton, MO. Apparently it is based in Kansas City somewhere and is used for locals and switching jobs. She was quite a beauty.

Ron

[AntonioFP45]

Thanks for the cool link.

Just one "boo-boo". It's not an E7 but an E9.

1. The early production E7s came with the tiny numberboards that had the class lights next to them. Later E7s were equipped with the "box style" numberboards that you see on the F3s thru F7 models. The "rounded" number boards were E8 and E9 features.

2. The E7 is "extinct". There is only one left in existence which is the Pennsy unit at the Strasburg Railroad Museum.

E units are expensive to maintain due to the two 567 diesels under the carbody. This was one of the reasons why the operating museum/tourist line in Tenessee sold the beautiful New York Central E units it had just 3 years ago.

10-4.

[emdgp92]

Enjoy!

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bnsf/bnsf9920ajw.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bnsf/bnsf9920bjw.jpg

The following two photos show the unit when it was still running as a BN engine in Metra service.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bn/bn9920ags.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/bn/bn9920bgs.jpg

As the others have said, this isn't an E7, but an E9. There's only one E7 left...and it's inside the Strasburg, PA museum.

[AntonioFP45]

Thanks for the llinks, EMD. I hope that they plan on installing the factory portholes.