CN Diesels South of the Border

[Bill Anderson]

A lot of Canadian National units have recently been appearing on (non-coal) BNSF freights passing through Edmonds, WA. I assume it is some kind of power exchange. Is there a certain time of year when you folks to my north see lots of BNSF units on the CN?

 

[BCR4601]

Bill out west we hardly ever see BNSF units leading account no microwaves or even in headend power.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Certainly you see BNSF units heading up the 1-2 daily coal trains to Roberts Banks.

 

[Abilene Ks Railfan]

I had CN 2173 leading UP windmill empty SGFDV this afternoon

 

[Bill Anderson]

Canadian Invasion Continues

Three interesting units passed through Edmonds recently: two older wide-bodied, Draper Tapered former BC Rail GE's (one CN red; one BC Rail red, white, & blue) and an SD40-2.

Photos are in my MP 17 and MP 18 threads in the western US section.

 

[Chris de Vries]

Former BC Rail units? Pretty sure they're still BC Rail units.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Former BC Rail units? Pretty sure they're still BC Rail units.

Is there still a BC Rail? I thought it got bought and absorbed by the CN. While on a motorcycle trip through BC nearly five years ago, I noticed that all of the overpass signs on the BC Rail line leading east out of Lilloett read "Canadian National."

 

[bnsf971]

Is there still a BC Rail? I thought it got bought and absorbed by the CN. While on a motorcycle trip through BC nearly five years ago, I noticed that all of the overpass signs on the BC Rail line leading east out of Lilloett read "Canadian National."

It is indeed now CN, since July of 2004. Oh, BC rail's property has only been leased to CN-- for 990 years.

 

[Chris de Vries]

It is improper to identify a locomotive or car that holds reporting marks other than CN as a CN piece of equipment.

When you see an IC, GTW, BLE, DMIR, EJE etc car or locomotive you identify it as such even though it is owned by CN. The BCOL engines and cars are no different.

They are owned by CN but the physical equipment is still identified by the railroad who's initials it holds.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Many engines remained painted and lettered/numbered for the original railroad after a merger (NP, GN, etc. ---> Burlington Northern) or purchase and absorption into a larger railroad (WP, SP, etc ---> UP). Does BC Rail still exist as a separate railroad which happens to be owned by CN like the IC and GTW are? I'm not trying to provoke an argument, I just want to clear things up for myself.

 

[Chris de Vries]

I think it's absorbed into CN.

The FRA card showws owned and operated by CN. IC for example shows owned by IC and operated by CN.

I think it has something to do with the different countries.

BC Rails collective agreements still exist.