I spent this afternoon riding the Minnesota Transportation Museum's Osceola - Dresser, WI train. For an extra $10, I got to ride in the ex-ROCK/now early SOO livery GP7 on the trip (no digital pictures - sorry - mine is not a digital camera, and the 3.5 mile ride wasn't all that interesting). The beautifully restored BN SD9 there on the property was worth the roundabout trip I had to take from the far north metro.
The engineer told me BNSF is donating another locomotive to the museum line. This time it's an ex-GN SDP40 in the #6300 range (I can't recall the exact number). According to the engineer, the locomotive is in good working condition, and apparently BNSF "doesn't need it anymore". The one concern is it might be a bit heavy for their sidings and they will do some weight-to-axle assessments as I understand it.
I'm not sure how much of a risk that is - two SOO SD60's and an ex-MILW MP15 "bandit" hauled a rock train out of Dresser earlier that morning (would an SDP40 put more pressure to bear on the roadbed per axle than an SD60?)
The word is the locomotive will likely be repainted in the "Big Sky Blue" scheme , which is my personal favorite among the GN schemes. The reasoning is that the blue scheme was the one that particular unit wore through most of its' life in the GN.
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
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
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