Western Railroad Discussion > F45 Paint Shop - GN 441 Big Sky Bound

We appreciate your indulgence as we roll out Great Northern 441. One reader posted a photo of BN F45 6614 in Marias Pass helper service at Essex , Montana . In fact, this is where our Big Sky Blue F45 is destined! It will be placed in revenue service as "Locomotive Lodging" guest accommodation at the Izaak Walton Inn.

The locomotive interior is being converted to a deluxe living accommodation featuring a master suite, spacious living area and fully equipped kitchen. It will be decked out with antique oak hardwood floors complimenting a fireplace, providing a rustic and inviting interior worthy of Glacier Park . The operators cab, including electrical cabinet, has been restored to better than new condition. Cooling fans and grid blower motors also remain, but are now skylights with glass installed above the fans. At the flick of a switch, the engine access doors will open up a picture window view of the adjacent BNSF mainline.

The rough interior is being constructed by RELCO, with interior finishing to be completed on arrival at Essex . Work is scheduled to be complete at Albia later in August and the locomotive will be enroute to Montana shortly thereafter.

Thank you all for being good sports as we teased you with photos over the past week. We will make it up to you by making it easy to chase GN 441 if you wish to get photos on her way to Montana . Details to follow . . .

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Interior photos

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I have thoroughly enjoyed watching this unfold over the last week. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us. The suspense was nice!

Mark Wohlgemuth
Culpeper, VA

What a unique and very cool use for an F45!!! I'm sure it will be a hit with the fans visiting the Inn. I wish you much success with this venture!

Gives a whole new meaning to motor home! She looks great.

Wow! What an imaginative idea. I've never heard of this use for a locomotive body before. Is this a first?

Cool! If Jack Lord were a railfan, he'd say, "Book it, Dano!"

Not sure about hotel space but wasn't there an E or F body in use as a dentist's office someplace?

April is coming, isn't it?

Awesome what route will it take to Albia....

filmteknik Wrote:
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> Not sure about hotel space but wasn't there an E
> or F body in use as a dentist's office someplace?

Yes, I remember seeing photos of it in "Trains" or 'Model Railroader" maybe as far back as about 30 years ago.

Dilworth Wrote:
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> Awesome what route will it take to Albia....


Routing should be Albia - Galesburg - Northtown - Havre - Essex.

I certainly hope they do not hook up the horn........

This should prove to be a popular lodging. The XC skiers will be delighted as well as the railfans.

Beautiful engine part of me is glad it was saved and repainted but the other half is sad that it was stripped of all its running gear and will be a hotel, but it will fit right in at essex with the caboose cabins aswell. Thanks for sharing with us!

Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase, "If this locomotive is a-rockin', don't come a-knockin'!"

Hilinenine Wrote:
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> Dilworth Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Awesome what route will it take to Albia....
>
>
> Routing should be Albia - Galesburg - Northtown -
> Havre - Essex.



Any idea if it will run behind the power consist, or somewhere back in between freight cars?

cdub Wrote:
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> Hilinenine Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> Any idea if it will run behind the power consist,
> or somewhere back in between freight cars?

She has a complete locomotive cab, I say put her on the point of the freight.

Ah yes...the "good 'ol days".

SLH



bioyans Wrote:
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> Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase, "If this
> locomotive is a-rockin', don't come a-knockin'!"

It was in Spokane. We were passing thru in '84 or '85, I wasn't bright enough to take a pic & couldn't find it again.
Rgds, Bob

bioyans Wrote:
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> Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase, "If this
> locomotive is a-rockin', don't come a-knockin'!"

As if we could >) wishful thinking!! I want to book it now, provided they insulate it for hot summers and Montana winters!!

Butch