Nostalgia & History > trade you some SP for some BN

In 1977 SP traded some units to BN for some radio controlled Masters and remotes to do some extensive testing. They tried the BN units together and sometimes SP unit Masters with BN remote receivers. Here are some photos of them in service during 1977 in the Tehachapis. And yes it was nice to see some BN green mixed in with the SP red and gray. I enjoy other railroads besides the SP, even though it might not look it from the photos I post.

1 & 2 - SP 8304 with 9002 and 8697 lead a West train up the grade out of Mojave at Warren with helpers SP 9300, BN remote RCC110 SP 8932 and another SP SD45. Photo taken March 29th, 1977 at 9:14 AM.
3 - BN 6806 with SP 9325, SP 9395 and BN remote RCC 106 leading an Eastbound thru Monolith on the same day as the first train.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/23/10 23:39 by choochoocharlie.

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4 - helpers of the train seen earlier at Warren now going by the Tehachapi station
5 - The lead units of that same train at the East switch of Walong.
6 - SP 8306 with 9253 and 9158 lead an East train out of Mojave on April 1st, 1977 at 4:47 PM.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/23/10 23:39 by choochoocharlie.

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7 - Thru helpers SP 9387, BN RCU 111, SP9119, SP 9181 and SP 9402 on the East train leaving Mojave.
8 - SP bay window caboose # 1661 on the end of the East train leaving Mojave.
9 - BN 6803, SP9293, arriving in Bakersfield with a West train with helpers in consist SP 9387, BN RCU 108, SP 9402 and SP 9118. at 8:10 AM November 11, 1977.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/23/10 23:40 by choochoocharlie.

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10 & 11 - BN 6803 with SP8874, and 9064 lead an East train out of Bealville on November 11, 1977 at 3:23 PM.
12 - Midtrain helper 8760, 6908, 6953 and 8907 leaving Bealville.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/23/10 23:40 by choochoocharlie.

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13 - Thru helper SP 9402, BN RCC 108, SP 9384 and SP 8890 leaving Bealville on East train.
14 - The train of 112 cars seen leaving Bealville in the foreground and out of tunnel #5 above.
15 - BN 6803 waits as the midtrain helper is cut out just East of Tehachapi at 4:57 PM on November 11, 1977.

C.C.Chas.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/23/10 23:41 by choochoocharlie.

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Absolutely glorious images Charlie! Thanks for sharing with us.

Cheers,
Harry

p.s. Is that a winterization window I spy on the SSW 9293, or are my eyes deceiving me?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/24/10 00:01 by tracktime.

Excellent!!

Great post on a poorly documented event. I'm wondering, however, if you
got a shot of BN 6808? This engine was involved in a wreck, I believe
in Arizona, and was rebuilt by the SP, in the process getting SP style
number boards, which it kept into the BNSF merger. Just curious.

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

Number six is the EUHOY and nine and beyond is the EUASY, a typical candidates for remotes in 1977



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/24/10 08:34 by WAF.

tracktime Wrote:
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>>
> p.s. Is that a winterization window I spy on the
> SSW 9293, or are my eyes deceiving me?


Your eyes are deceiving you, Harry. What you are seeing is like a wind wing of sorts. Not really sure how to describe it.

JDE

You are seeing things Harry. The hazy morning light makes it almost look like one of those windows, but it is a standard EMD window with wind wing type mirror and armrest making it appear different. No need to panic............ LOL

C.C.Chas.

choochoocharlie Wrote:
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> You are seeing things Harry. The hazy morning
> light makes it almost look like one of those
> windows, but it is a standard EMD window with wind
> wing type mirror and armrest making it appear
> different. No need to panic............ LOL
>
> C.C.Chas.

CC & Steamjockey,

Thanks guys! Right you are. That first "window" is just the flip-out windscreen/mirror. Sheesh.. what was I thinkin'? =)

Cheers,
Harry

Yeah, and they were about as worthless as..........well, you know.

JDE