Western Railroad Discussion > Tacoma Rail SD70ACe's on the hill

I drove down to Tacoma, WA this afternoon after hearing that one of the NS Heritage units was coming north on an oil train, and leading on the BNSF. After a rainy and windy morning I arrived at Tacoma about 1:45 PM as the clouds cleared and the sun came out! Getting off I-5 I saw a Tacoma Rail freight was just starting up the hill. This was worth a photo. Then I saw the two new SD70ACe's were leading. Train had units 7002/7001/3000/3001. Oh yeah, as an afterthought the oil train showed up just before 4 PM with the sun behind the hills.

Brian Ambrose
Renton, WA

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Nice catch Brian

That first shot would be nice to see as IOTD tomorrow...was not even aware of a Tacoma RR nor the fact they had SD70ACes.

Posted from Android

Is that the former Milwaukee Road line?

MILW16 Wrote:
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> Is that the former Milwaukee Road line?


Yes

Larry Dodgion
Wilsonville, OR

Forever-Railfan-45 Wrote:
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> That first shot would be nice to see as IOTD
> tomorrow...was not even aware of a Tacoma RR nor
> the fact they had SD70ACes.
>
> Posted from Android


I think they bought the 2 SD70ACe-p4's demos from EMD. The 1201 & 1202.

Awesome catch with the TR units Brian! I have to go back there to get photos now that they're finally in service.

Chris Medland
Victoria, BC
My Flickr photos

Great catch with both trains! That's a lot of power for a Tacoma Rail train even with the steep hill they are climbing. How big of a train were they hauling and to what customer?

The way the nose is painted, from far away they look like GEs.
Cool

Posted from Android

Milwaukee Wrote:
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> Great catch with both trains! That's a lot of
> power for a Tacoma Rail train even with the steep
> hill they are climbing. How big of a train were
> they hauling and to what customer?

When I saw the train pulling out of Tacoma it was big, lots of loaded bulkhead flats and I too wondered where they were going. I waited for a long time further up the hill and when they finally arrived it was just 6 covered hoppers and 5 gondolas, the rest of the train was left behind somewhere. If anyone knows what was going on I'd appreciate knowing too!
Brian

Brian,
nice stuff IOTD IMHO!!
Mark Mautner

The P4s couldn't pull it.....LOL




BrianA Wrote:
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> Milwaukee Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Great catch with both trains! That's a lot of
> > power for a Tacoma Rail train even with the
> steep
> > hill they are climbing. How big of a train
> were
> > they hauling and to what customer?
>
> When I saw the train pulling out of Tacoma it was
> big, lots of loaded bulkhead flats and I too
> wondered where they were going. I waited for a
> long time further up the hill and when they
> finally arrived it was just 6 covered hoppers and
> 5 gondolas, the rest of the train was left behind
> somewhere. If anyone knows what was going on I'd
> appreciate knowing too!
> Brian

Grand photos, Brian. Just another reason to head west again.

Posted from Windows Phone OS 7

Terrific photos. Congratulations on IOTD. Tacoma RR is another RR I have just learned about.
John

trkspd Wrote:
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> The way the nose is painted, from far away they
> look like GEs.
> Cool
>
> Posted from Android

My thoughts EXACTLY.

Frontrunner Wrote:
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> Forever-Railfan-45 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > That first shot would be nice to see as IOTD
> > tomorrow...was not even aware of a Tacoma RR
> nor
> > the fact they had SD70ACes.
> >
> > Posted from Android
>
>
> I think they bought the 2 SD70ACe-p4's demos from
> EMD. The 1201 & 1202.


They are former EMDX SD70ACe-P4 demo units #1211 and 1212. EMDX #1201 and 1202 were standard SD70ACe's and have since gone to new owners.

Bryan Jones
Brooks, KY
Bryan's Train Photos

Thanks guys! You called it, IOTD. Could not be more happy.

Brian Ambrose
Renton, WA

Same spot back in Milwaukee Road days.

Best regards,

Rob L.

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Nice shots, thanks for sharing. Speaking of Heritage units, you make that white strip on those Tacoma Rail SD70ACe's and you got your BNSF Frisco version..lol



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/14 12:19 by rrb.

"How to make an ugly ACe look like a beautiful GE." :-)

Bill Miller
Galt, ON