Restore 84
In this post I told the story about my last minute pilgrimage to Montana Rail Link on the cusp of its flag lowering: flic.kr/p/2nLhAy6
So continuing with the series featuring one photo of each train in chronological trip order here is the fifteenth train of the trip and the fourth of Day 4. This was also the fourth and last non MRL powered train I'd photograph. An unidentified BNSF manifest rolls west through Billings Yard on MRL's First Subdivision, but the pair of orange GEs are obviously not the focus of this image.
BNSF 6989 is a decade old GE ES44C4 and contrasts greatly with number 84, an EMC SW-1 that is 73 years her senior! The little switcher was built by Electro-Motive Corporation and completed June 15, 1939 on OQrder E259 and was originally Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 9139. It later became Burlington Northern 84 until retired by the BN in November 1975. It then spent another decade on the Davenport, Rock Island and Northwestern until coming to Billings Grain Terminal. Now privately owned by friends of mine, getting to see 84 in person was another reason I wanted to make the trek over to Billings. He and his business partners hope to restore her to operation and eventually find a home on a tourist railroad or museum where she can run. To support the effort and learn more check out this link and even buy yourself a shirt, I've got one!
Billings, Montana
Wednesday September 7, 2022
Restore 84
In this post I told the story about my last minute pilgrimage to Montana Rail Link on the cusp of its flag lowering: flic.kr/p/2nLhAy6
So continuing with the series featuring one photo of each train in chronological trip order here is the fifteenth train of the trip and the fourth of Day 4. This was also the fourth and last non MRL powered train I'd photograph. An unidentified BNSF manifest rolls west through Billings Yard on MRL's First Subdivision, but the pair of orange GEs are obviously not the focus of this image.
BNSF 6989 is a decade old GE ES44C4 and contrasts greatly with number 84, an EMC SW-1 that is 73 years her senior! The little switcher was built by Electro-Motive Corporation and completed June 15, 1939 on OQrder E259 and was originally Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 9139. It later became Burlington Northern 84 until retired by the BN in November 1975. It then spent another decade on the Davenport, Rock Island and Northwestern until coming to Billings Grain Terminal. Now privately owned by friends of mine, getting to see 84 in person was another reason I wanted to make the trek over to Billings. He and his business partners hope to restore her to operation and eventually find a home on a tourist railroad or museum where she can run. To support the effort and learn more check out this link and even buy yourself a shirt, I've got one!
Billings, Montana
Wednesday September 7, 2022