Western Railroad Discussion > Harsh Sunlight Monday On The BNSF Northern Transcon

It was a very bright sunny cold day in Ritzville, WA on the BNSF Lakeside Sub. The high-low was 39-21 with possible tomorrow night. Today's sun had extremely harsh sun angles make it difficult for EB shots. Traffic was typical low Monday action with only 21 trains since midnight. There are more in the distant horizon. Here are some of the trains from today and a couple from yesterday. Mostly GE day.

2/2/2020

1. WB 432pm intermodal train with BNSF 6536-7073 on the point with DPU's.
2. DPU's BNSF 7018-4198 on same train.
3. WB 451pm manifest train with BNSF 7036-5011-7731 on the pull with no DPU.

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4. Unfortunately, X marks the spot on BNSF 7731.

2/3/2020

5. WB 1005am auto train with BNSF 7623-5036 on the pull with no DPU.
6. WB 1245pm grain train with BNSF 7071-8811 on the point with DPU.

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7. Another shot of BNSF 8811 on same train. One of the few EMD's today.
8. DPU BNSF 7871 on same grain train.
9. WB 127pm intermodal train with BNSF 7148-8026 on the point with DPU.

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10. DPU BNSF 3959 on same train.
11. Grab shot of EB 152pm "Z" train with BNSF 6886 on the very point of 4.
12. Same train about to pass the old NP Ritzville Depot.

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The sun is kind of a double edged sword, you want it, you need it, but it makes for a tough photo at times. Thank you for sharing Sir!

13. Grab shot of EB 220pm manifest train with BNSF 4114-6412 on the pull with DPU.
14. WB 301pm "Z" train with BNSF 6506-8550 on the point with DPU's.
15. Another shot of BNSF 8550 on same train.

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16. DPU's BNSF 3892-4273 on same train. In the Winter I think I prefer cloudy conditions for pictures with the harsh sun angles.

That's it for today. Hope everyone has a great evening and tomorrow. Thank you so much for looking!

Larry
Ritzville, WA

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Larry,
Apparently BN 7731 escaped from the Barstow - LA Basin freight pool. It's flanks bear witness to the time spent in LA.  This is one of the first ES44DC's delivered in spring 2005.  I believe just a few dozen received the H2 scheme before BNSF adopted H3.  For many years BNSF kept a few sets of ES44s captive to Barstow to LA routes so that their latest, low emission locomotives would be operating in LA.
Tim Costello

Good shots again Larry.  As always, like the depot shot.  Somw of the power is a little rough looking but still good to see so many different models.
Brian Stevens

Another 7700 series refugee out of Socal.

Thanks everyone!

Larry