I think I saw a ghost !

[Murphy Siding]

Today, A BNSF grain train came through town with a big,old, crusty looking locomotive on the point. The top 1/3 and bottom 1/3 were dark,rusty,brown. Middle 1/3 was dirty,creamy, off-white. It was dirty and rusty. The only ID was the number- 1722, on each side,and MRL in the number board. So, it would appear to be a Montana Rail Link SD 45. If so, it's the first SD 45 I've ever seen. The funny thing was, it was leading a Cascade Green Geep, and a big orange pumpkin! I tried to find a MRL locomotive roster with no luck. Can one of you MRL-ologists tell me what this was. It had flared out radiators, and I *think* 4 rooftop cooling fans.

[blhanel]

Did it look like this one?

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=90500

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by blhanel

Did it look like this one?

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=90500

Exactly![:)], except,it wasn't in quite the *pristine* condition as the one in the photo.[;)]. I didn't think MRL let those things roam too far from home. Didn't I read that MRL was either phasing out the SD 45's, or already had?

Thanks

[blhanel]

Afraid I can't answer the questions, as I don't know much about MRL. Glad to help with finding a picture, though. Just had to satisfy my curiousity, so I went to the best picture site I knew in hopes of finding a shot of the engine you saw. I got close!

[Murphy Siding]

You did better than me! I tried to find sites that had MRL locomotive rosters, but didn't get anything accomplished.

Thanks

[miniwyo]

Have no fear!!! The SPIS are working on it!! As a member of the Sweetwater Paranormal Investigation Society, I should tell you what I know. MRL is phasing thme out and replacing them with the new SD70ACE.

[nanaimo73]

So now you have a MRL thread. Well done. Here are several MRL locomotive shots
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?id=MRL
And their web site
http://www.montanarail.com/

[Anonymous]

why is it that you people never, ever post pictures when you start threads like this?

[SID6FIVE]

Not just any ghost...that's an SD45X....EMD experimental 4200hp unit...only seven made...SP had three, the other four wore EMD paint and demonstrated on several different railroads...

[nanaimo73]

QUOTE: Originally posted by OneSecondPle

why is it that you people never, ever post pictures when you start threads like this?

There are several of us who don't know how.
There are probably forum members with slow computers who prefer links as well.
I can copy and paste photos onto my office word but the forum won't take them.

Murphy,
Don’t the new locomotives look more like ghosts in primer?
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=190188
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=181217
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=190189

[rvos1979]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SID6FIVE

Not just any ghost...that's an SD45X....EMD experimental 4200hp unit...only seven made...SP had three, the other four wore EMD paint and demonstrated on several different railroads...

Hate to burst your bubble, but it's just an ex-Oxford Leasing SD45, which I think were ex-N&W. It's painted in Wisconsin Central colors, because at one time, Oxford Leasing was owned by the same people that started WC. The rusty brown you talk about is actually maroon, the stripe is supposed to be a gold color.

Randy

[trainboyH16-44]

Any way, what you saw is better than an AC4400 or SD90.
Trainboy

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by OneSecondPle

why is it that you people never, ever post pictures when you start threads like this?

Because I don't have a camera.[:)]

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rvos1979

QUOTE: Originally posted by SID6FIVE

Not just any ghost...that's an SD45X....EMD experimental 4200hp unit...only seven made...SP had three, the other four wore EMD paint and demonstrated on several different railroads...

Hate to burst your bubble, but it's just an ex-Oxford Leasing SD45, which I think were ex-N&W. It's painted in Wisconsin Central colors, because at one time, Oxford Leasing was owned by the same people that started WC. The rusty brown you talk about is actually maroon, the stripe is supposed to be a gold color.

Randy

You are probably right. The mrl in the number board being the only thing that looked like a railroad ID is what me think MRL. Can you point me to a locomotive roster for Oxford leasing?


Thanks

[fuzzybroken]

Yep, as soon as I read the description, I thought "former Oxford Leasing SD45". They didn't have many locomotives, a group of ex-NW SD45s (and one ex-SP?) and another group of ex-MoPac SD40s, in dark blue with a big red circle on the cabside, IIRC. Can't remember where the 40s went -- quite possibly to MRL, or maybe a rebuild program -- but the 45s ended up on the MRL.

[fuzzybroken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rvos1979

The rusty brown you talk about is actually maroon, the stripe is supposed to be a gold color.

Actually, the original WC scheme was maroon and cream, which Oxford also used. Later WC repaints used a darker color for the stripe, which was more of a gold.

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nanaimo73

So now you have a MRL thread. Well done. Here are several MRL locomotive shots
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?id=MRL
And their web site
http://www.montanarail.com/

So now it appears we have an Oxford Leasing Thread.[;)]

[adrianspeeder]

QUOTE: Originally posted by OneSecondPle
why is it that you people never, ever post pictures when you start threads like this?

Simmer down over there...

Not everyone has a digital camera, and not everyone takes pics of everything all the time they go train watching. Half the time I don't. It's just nice to sit and just watch the "big picture" instead of "getting a picture"

Adrianspeeder

[locomutt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

QUOTE: Originally posted by OneSecondPle
why is it that you people never, ever post pictures when you start threads like this?

Simmer down over there...

Not everyone has a digital camera, and not everyone takes pics of everything all the time they go train watching. Half the time I don't. It's just nice to sit and just watch the "big picture" instead of "getting a picture"

Adrianspeeder

Quite right Adrian;also,not everyone has the capabilities to post
a picture on a given thread.

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomutt

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

QUOTE: Originally posted by OneSecondPle
why is it that you people never, ever post pictures when you start threads like this?

Simmer down over there...

Not everyone has a digital camera, and not everyone takes pics of everything all the time they go train watching. Half the time I don't. It's just nice to sit and just watch the "big picture" instead of "getting a picture"

Adrianspeeder

Quite right Adrian;also,not everyone has the capabilities to post
a picture on a given thread.

I wish I had the time,equipment and technical intelligence to post pictures. Most of my *train lookin'* is done on the move. All trains in my town are funneled through downtown, two blocks from my office. A really good day is when I see something out of the ordinary,but any train is a good train.[:)] Now, could someone point me to a website for Oxford Leasing? (Yes, I tried Google. I'm not lazy-just dumb[;)])

OneSecondPle: what is the signifigance of the boxcar in your post?

[nanaimo73]

Page 49 of the October 1990 Trains lists SD45s 1701, 1718, 1724, 1737, 1744, 1745, 1746 as being Oxfords that had the same N&W number. Also listed are ex SP SD45 8939, 8993 and 9093.

Send Randy an e-mail. Didn't he keep them running ?
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/member-profile.asp?id=201649

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nanaimo73

Page 49 of the October 1990 Trains lists SD45s 1701, 1718, 1724, 1737, 1744, 1745, 1746 as being Oxfords that had the same N&W number. Also listed are ex SP SD45 8939, 8993 and 9093.

Send Randy an e-mail. Didn't he keep them running ?
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/member-profile.asp?id=201649

What about #1722?

[Anonymous]

The MRL leases out a few SD45s

[nanaimo73]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by nanaimo73

Page 49 of the October 1990 Trains lists SD45s 1701, 1718, 1724, 1737, 1744, 1745, 1746 as being Oxfords that had the same N&W number. Also listed are ex SP SD45 8939, 8993 and 9093.

Send Randy an e-mail. Didn't he keep them running ?
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/member-profile.asp?id=201649

What about #1722?

I can't help you this time cuz. Sorry.

Have a look at this though.
http://www.mtnwestrail.com/gallery.htm

[Anonymous]

No. 1737 was picked clean and scrapped by WC to repair wreck damage to one of the ex-BN units(6538, IIRC.). The rest were sold before the CN takeover.

No. 1722 may be a renumber by MRL of the other five ex-NS units(the 3 ex-SP 8900 series were trashed by that that time.)

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nanaimo73

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by nanaimo73

Page 49 of the October 1990 Trains lists SD45s 1701, 1718, 1724, 1737, 1744, 1745, 1746 as being Oxfords that had the same N&W number. Also listed are ex SP SD45 8939, 8993 and 9093.

Send Randy an e-mail. Didn't he keep them running ?
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/member-profile.asp?id=201649

What about #1722?

I can't help you this time cuz. Sorry.

Have a look at this though.
http://www.mtnwestrail.com/gallery.htm

Allright! I just added that to my favorites! Something to look at in my "spare" time.

Thanks

[eolafan]

No ghost, but what I believe you saw was indeed a former SP model SD45X that had been the only one of its kind on Wisconsin Central. Very hard to tell the difference between an SD45 and an SD45X at first sight and especially on a moving train. The paint scheme gave it away, it is definetly WC and they sold a bunch of 45's to MRL (some via another owner I believe). Congratulations on your ghost sighting, now if somebody could only find one or two of the old WC F45's which I believe went out to New England (most were scrapped at Larry's Truck and Electric in OH, I believe).

[rvos1979]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan

No ghost, but what I believe you saw was indeed a former SP model SD45X that had been the only one of its kind on Wisconsin Central. Very hard to tell the difference between an SD45 and an SD45X at first sight and especially on a moving train. The paint scheme gave it away, it is definetly WC and they sold a bunch of 45's to MRL (some via another owner I believe). Congratulations on your ghost sighting, now if somebody could only find one or two of the old WC F45's which I believe went out to New England (most were scrapped at Larry's Truck and Electric in OH, I believe).

Had to get out the Diesel Spotter's Guide to check, it is just a standard SD45, it still has the old Flexicoil trucks underneath, and it looks like three fans in the radiator section. The SD45Xs had four fans in the radiator section, the rear of the long hood is flat, and they also had the HT-C trucks underneath.

Oxford leasing owned the SD45s mentioned in a previous post, as well as some SW1500 switchers and four or five of the ex-MILW SDL39s. The switchers and SDLs were sold to WC, and the SD45s went to other places. Oxford leasing still exists, but no longer owns locomotives.

Randy

[Murphy Siding]

OK-Weirder than seeing a ghost: First, I goofed up. I found the note in my car where I had written down the number 1722. It is actually #1744.[:I]. The memory goes first, I suppose. So, back to the post above from nanaimo73 I go, to look up #1744. Sure enough, there is a picture of #1744. The picture is taken in Sioux Falls-where I am, and has the same power lashup that I recall seeing. Better yet, if I read it correctly, the photo was posted Wednesday-the same day I saw it. Judging from the photo, I think it was taken on the river dike, above the prison. The pic shows the east side of the train, I was probably parked at that time looking at the west side of the train.
Now, I may be all wet(,because a lot of times, I don't know what I'm talking about.)[8D], but it was fun to discover all that today. Today's surprise was CSX 7798 and FURX 3006, coming through. This is the first I've seen locomotives from either of these come through these parts.

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rgroeling

The MRL leases out a few SD45s

Chris: Out of curiosity, do you know of a website that would tell which SD-45's MRL does lease out?

Thanks