NS spotted in Colorado (on BNSF)

[BlockLine_4111]

NS locos (e.g. SD40s and widecabs) are being mixed into the BNSF power pool on freights on the ex-C&S line between Denver and Fort Collins.

What is NS doing in Colorado ?

[John_Perkowski]

Power leasing by BNSF mebbe?

I've seen a lot of Oakway SDs again recently here in KC...

[John_Perkowski]

Working the Q main from Kansas City to Saint Joe.

It was hauling a grain drag SB towards Murray Yard.

I stronglyr suspect there is a power sharing/leasing arrangement between NS and BNSF now.

John

[LCJ]

Class I railroads use each other's power all the time. They pay each other, unless it's a straight lease situation, in use of their own power by the other road. Use of locomotives is tracked by hp/hr as a standard measure. It never actually balances out completely, but they try to keep it somewhat balanced. Run-thru power on interline service is less time consuming at interchange points.

You're likely to see any Class I's units on any road at any time.

[railroadjeep]

Heck, what are NS units doing in Washington!? A little far from home, eh? ON the same day I saw a pair of NS Dash-8's a pair of CSX units in downtown Seattle.
Most likely, I think thier paying back HP-hours. I wonder if it's becasue BNSF interchanges coal trains power and all? Perhaps that is why they have so many foreign units at times?

[BlockLine_4111]

NS is regularly in Denver. Usually the trailing unit in a 2 unit lashup or middle unit in a 3-4 unit lashup. BNSF = "buy NS fast." UP will buy CSX.

[BlockLine_4111]

I saw a BIG blue CR GE splicing a pair of pumpkin BNSF widecabs on a Denver bound mainfest on the C&S line. The CR unit was chuggin' and smoking it up along the backdrop of the Front Range. Guess the CR unit wasn't used to the high altitude and low O2 content.

[TerryC]

I thought BNSF = "Burning Nothing Saves Fuel."

http://trainiaxindex.cjb.net/

Keep asking, keep learning

[Joe]

When BNSF buys NS, they'll just paint all the "NS"s on their locomotives black. BNSF will then equal "Burlington Norfolk Southern Fe"

[AmtrakFan]

Ok I've MRL Units on BNSF also Seen CN and CP in Spring also NS is very Common on BNSF in IL. Also We have in IL a ton of Oakway's over the last few Years also saw 5 Unit Lash Up In NE with a KCS GE on it also saw 2 BN and UP Lashup.

AmtrakFan

[BlockLine_4111]

Some of the NS ex-Conrail blue & white locos pop up here and there in Englewood, Denver and up/down the sub from time to time.

[GN 599]

What you guys are describing is a fairly common. More often than not our consists will have a NS, CSX or leaser motor. Last trip I had a 21st century A-B-B-B-A lash-up with BN SD40-2's as bookends of three NREX ''trail unit only do not occupy cab'' SD's . No two locomotives were the same color .There three groups of SD's that run north south all of the time, when you are out there working you notice stuff like that I guess. We have a pretty good variety where I work but the SD's are my favorite.

[BlockLine_4111]

11 AM today in Niwot, 3 unit manifest came up from Denver. Two BNSF orange widecabs and a B&W NS widecab. All 3 arranged "elephant style".

7:30PM today in Boulder, a 3 unit short manifest came up the sub with 3 green & white BN units.

The 2 lead units looked like FP45s from a far distance. Can anyone confirm powering for this train?

Looked cool with solid green BN power.

[Tadman]

I see BNSF power all the time on NS(NYC) in South Bend. They probably have a significant power swap agreement.