Western Railroad Discussion > ATSF 5704 on the move Sunday?

Just read a post on FB, stating that the ATSF 5704 (the bicentennial painted SD45 at the SCRM in Perris) will be moving from Perris to Barstow on Sunday, August 2nd.   Allegedly on its way to the big event in North Carolina. 

Can anyone confirm, deny or provide further details?

did caltrans instll the swich???

Mike6640-2 Wrote:
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> did caltrans instll the swich???

Switch has been installed on Metrolink since the line was rebuilt.  The museum trackage was extended to this switch and can be connected quickly if/when needed.  Like Sunday.  5704 is suppose to leav e the museum around 9am I have been told, after the second and last inbound Metrolink train of the day passes.  Should be a volunteer crew moving it north, but unsure how far north.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/02/26 07:52 by SCAX3401.

SCAX3401 Wrote:
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> ...5704 is
> suppose to leav e the museum around 9pm I have
> been told, after the second and last inbound
> Metrolink train of the day passes.  

Assume you meant to say "9am"??

hotrail Wrote:
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> SCAX3401 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > ...5704 is
> > suppose to leav e the museum around 9pm I have
> > been told, after the second and last inbound
> > Metrolink train of the day passes.  
>
> Assume you meant to say "9am"??

Thanks for catching that, yes its 9am.  I have corrected my original post.

What is the status of the bad traction motor?

The locomotive has left the property. Per my on site source. BNSF inspectors looked at the locomotive 5704 last Thursday and approved the move.

czuleget Wrote:
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> What is the status of the bad traction motor?

How do you know it has a "bad traction motor"?

I was asked to look for one and am still looking. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/02/26 13:40 by czuleget.

czuleget Wrote:
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> I was aske to look for one and am still looking. 

OK but, just what is supposedly wrong with one of the traction motors?

Sorry I will need to revert to the Locomotive crew to fill in the blanks maybe Carl or one of the others on the crew can elaborate. 

czuleget Wrote:
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> Sorry I will need to revert to the Locomotive crew
> to fill in the blanks maybe Carl or one of the
> others on the crew can elaborate. 

The reason I'm asking is, if it is simply an electrical problem, i.e. some sort of ground, then that motor can be cut-out and traveling dead-in-tow should be no problem. However, if the problem is more mechanical, i.e. a support bearing issue, damaged commutator bars, or a coil wiring issue on the armature, then towing the unit might be a potential problem, especially all the way eastward (a 'bird nested armature causing a locked wheel would be a real disaster').

ATSF 5704 went by Cajon Summit railcam at 2:32pm PDT today 8/2/2026.  
Consist was just light power -- BNSF 3933 BNSF 8289 [I think, it was hard to read the #s on that one, it was rolling pretty good] and ATSF 5704.
Interesting that they didn't just tag it on the back of consist for a freight headed for Barstow but that probably just ties up yard tracks or something to the point its easier to just pay a crew to drag it to Barstow.

hotrail Wrote:
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> Just read a post on FB, stating that the ATSF 5704
> (the bicentennial painted SD45 at the SCRM in
> Perris) will be moving from Perris to Barstow on
> Sunday, August 2nd.   Allegedly on its way to
> the big event in North Carolina. 

If so, who is picking up the expense? Maybe BNSF for its part?

Even more interesting, one thread on the "Heads Up California Railfans" group on FB said BNSF is taking 5704 to Barstow to replace a traction motor.  That would be pretty awesome, if true.
Also said the BNSF 1776 is being held at KC to join the 5704 en route to the event in North Carolina.
Don't know if any of it is credible or not.  Guess we will seen in the next couple of weeks.  
 

HotWater Wrote:
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> OK but, just what is supposedly wrong with one of
> the traction motors?

"Armature coming apart" is the info I found from a post about 2 weeks ago.* That edited information was posted about 3 hours after you first asked the question.

* I usually do detective work before I rant. :-)

A year ago 5704 was moved from Kansas City to Perris at track speed. Two months ago after the wiring damage in the AR10 Air Room was repaired, a piece of the fiber glass string tie material on the #2 traction motor pinion end was found sticking out a vent hole. String ties are no longer varnish soaked string like in the old days but the name stuck. Now it's a hard fiberglass overlay on the end of the armature windings to give the copper windings support. The main problem is the severe vibration felt by traction motors as they go over the track. There is zero vibration isolation so traction motors and their armatures take a tremendous pounding. Plus the centrifugal force at high RPM's are also trying to sling the windings outward. So, string ties are used on both ends of the armature, by the pinion end and the commutator end. I haven't heard if BNSF will operate it as is, install a replacement traction motor, replace the whole combo, or install an idler axle just for the trip. Hope to know in the next day or so. 

D-Althaus Wrote:
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> A year ago 5704 was moved from Kansas City to
> Perris at track speed. Two months ago after the
> wiring damage in the AR10 Air Room was repaired, a
> piece of the fiber glass string tie material on
> the #2 traction motor pinion end was found
> sticking out a vent hole. String ties are no
> longer varnish soaked string like in the old days
> but the name stuck. Now it's a hard fiberglass
> overlay on the end of the armature windings to
> give the copper windings support. The main problem
> is the severe vibration felt by traction motors as
> they go over the track. There is zero vibration
> isolation so traction motors and their armatures
> take a tremendous pounding. Plus the centrifugal
> force at high RPM's are also trying to sling the
> windings outward. So, string ties are used on both
> ends of the armature, by the pinion end and the
> commutator end. I haven't heard if BNSF will
> operate it as is, install a replacement traction
> motor, replace the whole combo, or install an
> idler axle just for the trip. Hope to know in the
> next day or so. 

Thanks for a CORRECT technical response.

ts1457 Wrote:
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> ...who is picking up the expense? Maybe BNSF
> for its part?

BNSF is donating the transportation costs.

hotrail Wrote:
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> Also said the BNSF 1776 is being held at KC to
> join the 5704 en route to the event in North
> Carolina.
> Don't know if any of it is credible or not. 
> Guess we will seen in the next couple of
> weeks.  

Correct. Both will go to Memphis for interchange