What a waste
I swear everytime I post something its related to some stupid change which has occured. Ugh. The last of the MRL locomotives have finally been removed from mainline service due to BNSF PTC going live. How ironic that the MRL was actually who began this PTC project but in the end became the victim. It's truly a waste as all 5 GP35's are likely sidelined but at the very least unable to lead trains any longer. Over the last few years of its existence the MRL spent over $500,000 to upgrade all 6 GP35's with a complete rewire and upgrade of the control system. MRL 405 has an easy tell by the red antennae right behind the cab. A close eye will also reveal the MRL 404 has been completed, as the class lights it wore its entire career have been removed and tastefully patched during the rewire. This was all done in house by MRL employees, not contractors. Now, who knows what will happen to them? Always thought they were pretty neat units who didn't seem to be very popular elsewhere but for the most part were very good workhorses in local service across Montana.
What a waste
I swear everytime I post something its related to some stupid change which has occured. Ugh. The last of the MRL locomotives have finally been removed from mainline service due to BNSF PTC going live. How ironic that the MRL was actually who began this PTC project but in the end became the victim. It's truly a waste as all 5 GP35's are likely sidelined but at the very least unable to lead trains any longer. Over the last few years of its existence the MRL spent over $500,000 to upgrade all 6 GP35's with a complete rewire and upgrade of the control system. MRL 405 has an easy tell by the red antennae right behind the cab. A close eye will also reveal the MRL 404 has been completed, as the class lights it wore its entire career have been removed and tastefully patched during the rewire. This was all done in house by MRL employees, not contractors. Now, who knows what will happen to them? Always thought they were pretty neat units who didn't seem to be very popular elsewhere but for the most part were very good workhorses in local service across Montana.