Western Railroad Discussion > BNSF 10,000 Boeing fuselage report. Interesting details

This was posted earlier but some interesting details on the history of the operation.


https://www.railwayage.com/freight/bnsf-mrl-move-10000th-boeing-737-fuselage/

gmojim

Does anyone know why BNSF doesn't route them via Dodge City, Denver and north through Wyoming and then onto MRL or BNSF to Seattle?

Why route them through KC?

http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/spirit-67-how-boeings-baby-jetliner-fuselage-made-its-journey-west?NL=AW-05&Issue=AW-05_20180220_AW-05_223&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_2&utm_rid=CPEN1000003085323&utm_campaign=13704&utm_medium=email&elq2=be67150f75bb4d27b232925bb6737d73

A very detailed article from Aviation Week and Space Technology magazine that provides much background on the history of these 737 rail moves from Wichita to Renton.

kansas1 Wrote:
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> Does anyone know why BNSF doesn't route them via
> Dodge City, Denver and north through Wyoming and
> then onto MRL or BNSF to Seattle?
>
> Why route them through KC?

The 10,000th move was routed through Denver where it was attached to the Q ALTPTL through Wyoming for the remainder of the trip. Perhaps they route each move depending on which direction would have the most timely service depending on the time and day they are released for shipment?

kansas1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does anyone know why BNSF doesn't route them via
> Dodge City, Denver and north through Wyoming and
> then onto MRL or BNSF to Seattle?
>
> Why route them through KC?

Sorry, no, but they were run up the Strong City Sub to Superior for a while a few years ago for a connection in Lincoln. That was a good gig.

Thanks for the link gmojim!! The 737 fuselages came up BN's St. Joseph Sub all the time. I saw a BNSF train this past July on the Napier Sub headed towards Lincoln.

czephyr17 Wrote:
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> The 10,000th move was routed through Denver where
> it was attached to the Q ALTPTL through Wyoming
> for the remainder of the trip.


This is not correct. The two fuselages arrived in Laurel, MT on J-train from Kansas. They were added to the Q-train in Laurel, MT for the trip on west to Washington.

Paul Birkholz
Sheridan, WY

kansas1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does anyone know why BNSF doesn't route them via
> Dodge City, Denver and north through Wyoming and
> then onto MRL or BNSF to Seattle?
>
> Why route them through KC?

Jointed Rail on the line to Dodge City?

PHall Wrote:
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> kansas1 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Does anyone know why BNSF doesn't route them
> via
> > Dodge City, Denver and north through Wyoming
> and
> > then onto MRL or BNSF to Seattle?
> >
> > Why route them through KC?
>
> Jointed Rail on the line to Dodge City?
No, it’s welded and they also went that way for a while for Denver connection. It seems through the years they’ve been sent to Seattle every way possible. Before bnsf the Wichita/Wellington local would work Boeing on the way to Wellington and set them out at Mulvane for a WB to pick up.

Used to see them come through Ft Collins, CO on the Front Range Sub all the time. Have not seen one in quite a long time.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/421789002

Posted from iPhone

dgraves Wrote:
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> Used to see them come through Ft Collins, CO on
> the Front Range Sub all the time. Have not seen
> one in quite a long time.


Yes, they were common on the Joint Line tween Pueblo and Denver for a long time.

Rob