This site features daily historical railroad posts from the Big Bend/Columbia Plateau region of Washington state. As a personal site, this is my online filing cabinet of interesting things I've come across about railroading in the area. Thanks for stopping by!
--Dan Bolyard
Saturday, May 3, 2025
BN Train At Rock Island
Photo courtesy of Dean Ferris.
Dean says:
"On August 2, 1989 a westbound intermodal passes the 1944 Whitcomb which switched the Rock Island, WA silicon plant.
Now we have nothing but GE's with marginally different BNSF paint schemes, although there is the occasional Mexican loco, but still a GE. I do appreciate the GN-inspired colors, though. But at least a couple of EMD GP's for switching here in Wenatchee.
It's funny how we seem to really like the locomotives of our youth. My oldest son grew up towards the end of the Cascade Green SD-40's into Dash 9s, and those are his favorites. I grew up with F units and high hood GP-9s.
Yes, agree. I have quite a stash of Columbia Basin locomotive photos! I love it when they lash up 6 locomotives. Something we don't see on mainline BNSF.
7 comments:
The years of Cascade Green SD40-2's, seems that's all we ever saw! Got so happy when a Conrail or other run-thru power was on the headend!!
Oh how I miss those years now...
I have similar regrets.
Now we have nothing but GE's with marginally different BNSF paint schemes, although there is the occasional Mexican loco, but still a GE. I do appreciate the GN-inspired colors, though. But at least a couple of EMD GP's for switching here in Wenatchee.
I like catching the Spud at Ephrata. EMD goodness, save for one time.
It's funny how we seem to really like the locomotives of our youth. My oldest son grew up towards the end of the Cascade Green SD-40's into Dash 9s, and those are his favorites. I grew up with F units and high hood GP-9s.
I'm firmly in the camp of F units and early geeps, but I'd take one of those SD40-2s anytime now. I hated them back in the day.
Now I go out to the Columbia Basin Railway and get my fix of GP9s (and SD9s-the largest fleet in the US now).
Yes, agree. I have quite a stash of Columbia Basin locomotive photos! I love it when they lash up 6 locomotives. Something we don't see on mainline BNSF.
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