Western Railroad Discussion > Not an ordinary Amtrak leader. How about a 40-year-old SD 40-2?

Some others have told about BNSF engine #1770, a former Santa Fe freight locomotive, being used as a leader on the eastbound Amtrak Southwest Chief between Albuquerque, N.M., and Kansas City today. This video clip shows ex-ATSF blue and yellow No. 1770 at the head of the train as it rounded a curve at Holliday, a few miles west of Kansas City, Kan., at 11:45 a.m. Friday, Dec 7, 2018.

This will be entered as an extremely rare event in my personal journal. I've seen other BNSF resuce power on the Southwest Chief in past years but this was the first time I had ever witnessed one of the old blue and yellow engines helping out Amtrak. This was truly an unexpected happening. 

  (Video by Larry Byers) 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/18 14:58 by JoCoLB.

You must be a registered subscriber to watch videos. Join Today!

I watched a late #4 through LaPlata not long ago,it had been removed by then.Cool video.
Regards,DK

Santa Fe all the way!

Posted from iPhone

I've seen the Blue and Yellow SFe bail Amtrak out three times in seven years out of Albuquerque. First time, 2868, a 4 axle Geep was snagged by #4. I know the photo is out there, under the snow and signal blades,  but I can't find it; second and third have  seen SD40s

Very nice!  Good catch.

Andy

Gotta ask the question? Was this the last time. Not many left in Cub Scout paint these days. 20+ years into the merger, extinction is upon us!

23.5 years into the merger for ATSF power, right?

That would have been like seeing CB&Q, NP or GN power in 1993.

Blue and yellow are doing remarkably well.

Ted in OR

Posted from iPhone