With MRL set to disappear, does anyone know if this July 2020 roster data is still correct for their locomotive fleet today?
SW9 - 1 unit (16)
SW1200 - 2 units (13 & 17)
GP9 - 8 units (109, 113, 118, 123, 127, 130-132)
GP35 - 6 units (401-406)
GP40 - 1 unit (500)
SD40-2XR - 16 units (250-265)
SDP40-2XR - 1 unit (290)
SD45M - 1 unit (351)
SD45-2M - 3 units (346, 355, & 382)
SD70ACe - 29 units (4300-4319; 4400-4408)
https://railfan.com/bnsf-railway-to-acquire-montana-rail-link/
An "expensive model collector"
Does everything get repainted into Cascade Green?
Could it be that they think it's a cheaper alternative than double tracking the ex-GN ?
According to the Montana Rail Link e-mail group on groups.io, it's said that Montana Rail Link plans to return the railroad to BNSF and has applied for STB approval. Sounds quite real and the news seems to be getting confirmed by multiple MRL employees (Edit: I mistakenly first attributed the information to the Loconotes e-mail group).
Doesn't sound like significant changes are expected for employees and operations. I imagine the biggest change past the disappearance of MRL blue will be a quick retirement for their remaining GP9's, GP35's, and 567 powered switchers.
While it was always expected that BNSF one day would retake control, I think conventional wisdom was that it would happen long down the road when the 60 year lease expires in 2047. That it's happening decades prematurely is quite a surprise and seems to be a mystery.
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