Riding Amtrak's Westbound Empire Builder in December 2002

I took these pictures on December 21, 2002, while riding Amtrak’s westbound Empire Builder. This historic depot was built in 1912 and once served the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, or Soo Line, which is now part of the Canadian Pacific Railway. This depot is no longer owned by the railroad. It is located in Minot's historic downtown district and houses the Old Soo Depot Transportation Museum.

This depot is the one currently served by Amtrak. It is located just west of the old Soo Line depot, on the opposite side of the U.S. Highway 83 overpass. This depot was originally built in 1910 by the Great Northern Railway. A major renovation in 1975 replaced the original gabled roof with a flat roof, covered the original brick with stucco and remodeled the interior. Here Amtrak's Empire Builder can be seen making its station stop. Just to the north of the depot, on the other side of the tracks and past some trees, is the Souris River.

Just to the west of the Amtrak station, and visible from its platform, is crossing of the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad and the Canadian Pacific Railway. In this 2002 photo, Amtrak's Empire Builder is stopped on the BNSF track and the freight train crossing in front of it is on the CP track. This crossing is the busiest rail crossing in the state of North Dakota. The building visible behind the Canadian Pacific freight train is the Minot Public Library.

During the Empire Builder’s service stop in Minot, North Dakota, I braved the winter snow to check out the motive power consist and discovered Amtrak #383, a 3,000-horsepower F40PHR that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in July 1981 using parts from retired Amtrak SDP40F #518. It is painted to match the Pacific Surfliner equipment used in southern California between San Luis Obispo and San Diego.

Pictured in Havre, Montana, Burlington Northern Santa Fe #3441 is a 1,500-horsepower SW1500 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in January 1973 as St. Louis-San Francisco (also known as the Frisco) #356. The Frisco was merged into the Burlington Northern on November 21, 1980, and this locomotive became Burlington Northern #61. Burlington Northern classified EMD’s SW1500s as SW15s. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #3441 on February 19, 1998, and was repainted in Burlington Northern Santa Fe's "Heritage I" paint scheme on April 28, 2000.

Also in Havre near the shops, Burlington Northern Santa Fe #8615 is a 4,000-horsepower Dash 8-40B that was built by General Electric in June 1988 as Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #7425. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #8615 on January 12, 2000, and was repainted in Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s “Heritage I” paint scheme on December 16, 2000.

I took this picture the next day on December 22, 2002, while riding the Portland section of Amtrak’s westbound Empire Builder through Wishram, Washington. Unless running extremely late, the Empire Builder generally made an extended station stop in Wishram to allow cigarette smokers an opportunity to satisfy their addiction, as the smoking car was part of the train’s Seattle section. I merely turned my attention and my camera to the railroad equipment outside the window. Burlington Northern #2871 is a GP39M that was originally built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in February 1964 as Southern Pacific #7452, a 2,500-horsepower GP35. After 1965 it was renumbered to Southern Pacific #6564. It was retired in January 1991 and was sold to Morrison-Knudsen of Boise, Idaho, who rebuilt it into 2,300-horsepower GP39M Burlington Northern #2871 in July 1991. With it is Burlington Northern Santa Fe #2083, a 2,000-horsepower GP38-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in May 1972 as Burlington Northern #2083. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #2083 and was repainted in Burlington Northern Santa Fe's "Heritage I" paint scheme on October 2, 2000.

Trains in Havre, Montana in September 2002

I took these pictures in Havre, Montana, on September 7, 2002, while riding Amtrak’s eastbound Empire Builder.

Being serviced during the stop at the Havre depot, Amtrak P42DC #100 is a 4,250-horsepower P42DC that was built by General Electric in June 1997. It wears the newer version of Amtrak’s Phase V paint scheme, while lead P42DC #161, built in May 2001, wears the original version of the paint scheme with the higher “belt line.”

Back aboard Amtrak’s eastbound Empire Builder, this Burlington Northern Santa Fe Dash 9-44CW was sitting outside the Havre shops. The reflections in the windows of the Sightseer Lounge cars sometimes made it difficult to get a clear picture of things outside the train.

Also at the Havre shops, Burlington Northern #5590 is a 3,000-horsepower C30-7 that was built by General Electric in June 1979.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #3441 is a 1,500-horsepower SW1500 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in January 1973 as St. Louis-San Francisco (also known as the Frisco) #356. The Frisco was merged into the Burlington Northern on November 21, 1980, and this locomotive became Burlington Northern #61. Burlington Northern classified EMD’s SW1500s as SW15s. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #3441 on February 19, 1998, and was repainted into Burlington Northern Santa Fe's "Heritage I" paint scheme on April 28, 2000.

Trains in Vancouver and Portland in October 2001

Photo by Cliff West

This group of pictures was taken by my dad, Cliff West, in October of 2001 at the Amtrak depot in Vancouver, Washington, and at Union Pacific’s Albina Yard in Portland, Oregon. We begin in Vancouver with Burlington Northern #7807, a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in June 1977 as Colorado & Southern #937. Colorado & Southern was a subsidiary of Burlington Northern, and its locomotives were painted in Burlington Northern colors, but they had their own numbering system. These locomotives began to be renumbered in the Burlington Northern’s main numbering system in December 1978, and this locomotive became Colorado & Southern #7807. The Colorado & Southern was formally merged into the Burlington Northern on December 31, 1981, and this locomotive became Burlington Northern #7807. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #7807.

Photo by Cliff West

These four Chicago & North Western 100-Ton 5,250-Cubic-Foot 4-Bay Covered Hoppers at the Great Western Malting Company at the Port of Vancouver are part of a group of 100 numbered #490000 to #490999 that were built by Thrall between September 1993 and April 1994. These were some of the last freight cars built for the Chicago & North Western, and they became much more common in the Pacific Northwest after the Chicago & North Western was merged into the Union Pacific on April 24, 1995.

Photo by Cliff West

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #7336 was originally built by General Motors Diesel, Ltd. in London, Ontario, in December 1968 as Canadian National #5075, a 3,000-horsepower SD40. It was retired in 1999 and was rebuilt by Alstom to an SD40-2 on October 5, 1999, and became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #7336, one of a group of 40 former Canadian National and Grand Trunk Western SD40s that became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #7300 to #7339.

Photo by Cliff West

Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #853 is a 4,000-horsepower Dash 8-40CW that was built by General Electric in October 1992.

Photo by Cliff West

It was still somewhat rare at this point to see older locomotives that had been repainted in Burlington Northern Santa Fe's "Heritage I" paint scheme, so here are some more pictures of Burlington Northern Santa Fe SD40-2 #7336.

Photo by Cliff West

The motive power consist for this freight train represented the 1995 merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, with a BNSF-painted locomotive leading a locomotive in Burlington Northern's Cascade Green and a locomotive in Santa Fe's Blue & Yellow "Warbonnet."

Photo by Cliff West

It is interesting that despite being recently rebuilt for BNSF service in 1999, this unit did not have its headlight moved from the cab to the short hood following the Santa Fe's practice that BNSF continued.

Photo by Cliff West

Burlington Northern #7052 is a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in April 1978. Though this locomotive's BN paint scheme has not been modified yet, it has had its headlight moved from the cab to the short hood .

Photo by Cliff West

Moving on to Albina Yard in Portland, we see Union Pacific #5762, a 4,400-horsepower AC4400CW that was built by General Electric in March 2001. Union Pacific refers to this locomotive as a C44ACCTE, to make the model designation correspond to the form introduced by General Electric with the “Dash 7” line of 1977, and to indicate that this locomotive is equipped with General Electric’s “Controlled Tractive Effort” software, which limits maximum tractive effort when the locomotive is used as a distributed power unit in the middle or at the rear of a train.

Photo by Cliff West

Union Pacific #4011 is a 4,000-horsepower SD70M that was built by the General Motors Locomotive Group in London, Ontario, and was delivered on July 31, 2000.

Photo by Cliff West

Southern Pacific #67342 is a O-100-7 Class 23,500-Gallon Tank Car built by American Car & Foundry at Milton, Pennsylvania, in early 1974, part of a group of 50 numbered #67300 to #67349.

Photo by Cliff West

Union Pacific #8725 is a 3,000-horsepower SD40T-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in December 1978 as Southern Pacific #8525. After the Southern Pacific was merged into the Union Pacific on September 11, 1996, this locomotive became Union Pacific #4455 on November 23, 1997. It was renumbered to Union Pacific #8725 on May 6, 2001.

Photo by Cliff West

Finally, Union Pacific #4203 is a 4,000-horsepower SD70M that was assembled by Bombardier Inc. in Sahagun, Mexico, for the General Motors Locomotive Group in August 2000.

Trains in Vancouver, Washington, in February 2001

I took these pictures at the Amtrak depot in Vancouver, Washington, in February of 2001. First, leading a southbound freight train, is Union Pacific #9668, a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in April 1994 as Chicago & North Western #8699. Following the merger of the C&NW into the Union Pacific on April 25, 1995, it became Union Pacific #9668 on June 16, 1995. This was the first former Chicago & North Western locomotive to be renumbered and repainted for Union Pacific. Since then, it had received an air conditioner from an unrepainted C&NW locomotive.

Parked in the diesel servicing area near the Amtrak depot, Burlington Northern #3128 is a 3,500-horsepower GP50 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in August 1985. Since the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 12, 1995, to form Burlington Northern Santa Fe, this locomotive has had its headlight lowered into the nose following Santa Fe practice.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #4304 is a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in January 1999. Here it is arriving with an eastbound freight train bound for Portland with its nose door opened.

Naturally, after I took the picture, a member of the train crew closed the door.

The second unit in this consist was Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #630, a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in February 1994.

Arriving with southbound Amtrak Cascades Train #753 is Amtrak Cascades NPCU #90250, a Non-Powered Cab Unit, or NPCU, which was rebuilt in February 2000 from Amtrak #250, a 3,000-horsepower F40PHR that was originally built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in 1977 using parts from retired Amtrak SDP40F #560.

Bringing up the rear of Train #753 is Amtrak Cascades #468, a 3,200-horsepower F59PHI that was built in October 1998 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors with final assembly by Super Steel Schenectady of Schenectady, Pennsylvania.

Leading Amtrak's eastbound Train #28, the Portland section of the Empire Builder, is Amtrak #133, a 4,250-horsepower P42DC that was built by General Electric in December 2000.

This was one of Amtrak's newest locomotives, being only about 2 months old.

The Portland section of the Empire Builder had previously been pulled by a pair of 3,000-horsepower EMD F40PH locomotives, but a single P42DC could handle the train by itself.

This locomotive was painted in Amtrak's new Acela-inspired Phase V paint scheme. Amtrak #133 was one of the first to wear this scheme; the P42DCs began receiving it with #123.

Trains in Portland & Vancouver in August 2000

I took these pictures in August of 2000. First, at Union Pacific's Albina Yard in Portland, Oregon, is Union Pacific #9408, a 4,135-horsepower Dash 8-41CW that was built by General Electric in November 1990.

Here is a trio of Union Pacific 2,000-horsepower GP38-2s, which all have different histories. On the right is Union Pacific #2022, which was built new for Union Pacific by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in April 1974. On the left is Union Pacific #2171, which was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in January 1980 as Missouri Pacific #2171. After the Missouri Pacific was merged into the Southern Pacific in 1982, this locomotive became Union Pacific #2171 on October 8, 1993. Finally, in the center is Union Pacific #2530, which has a more complicated history that deserves a closer look.

Union Pacific #2530 was originally built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in January 1966 as Illinois Central #3026, a 3,000-horsepower GP40 without dynamic brakes. On August 10, 1972, the Illinois Central merged with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio to form the Illinois Central Gulf, and this locomotive became Illinois Central Gulf #3026. After being retired by ICG, the locomotive was acquired by Helm Financial Corporation, reconditioned with dynamic brakes added, and leased to Union Pacific, becoming Union Pacific #853 on May 26, 1989. In 1998 it was returned to Helm Financial, was rebuilt by Boise Locomotive Company of Boise, Idaho, into a 2,000-horsepower GP38-2, and again leased to Union Pacific, becoming Union Pacific #2530 on August 20, 1998. When it was rebuilt from a GP40 to a GP38-2, its turbocharger was removed and an air filter box was installed in front of the dynamic brake housing, but it otherwise still resembles a pre-Dash 2 GP40, with three radiator fans, no water level sight glass below the radiators, and no shock absorbers on the trucks.

Leading a northbound freight train fast the Amtrak depot in Vancouver, Washington, is Burlington Northern Santa Fe #2880, a GP39M that was originally built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in December 1964 as Cotton Belt (St. Louis Southwestern) #767, a 2,500-horsepower GP35. After 1965 it was renumbered to Cotton Belt #6507. Retired on April 15, 1987, it was sold on August 16, 1988 to Wilson Rail Services, then resold later that month to Morrison-Knudsen of Boise, Idaho, who rebuilt it into 2,300-horsepower GP39M Burlington Northern #2880 on February 10, 1989. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #2880 and was repainted into Burlington Northern Santa Fe's "Heritage I" paint scheme on May 9, 2000, and had its headlight lowered into the nose following Santa Fe practice.

Southern Pacific #8165 is a 4,380-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in October 1994.

Spliced between a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Dash 9-44CW and a former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (now BNSF) SD45-2 are Burlington Northern #6845 & #8153, 3,000-horsepower SD40-2s that were built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in July 1978 and July 1980, respectively. Burlington Northern #6845 was built as St. Louis-San Francisco (SLSF, also known as the Frisco) #955. The Frisco was merged into the Burlington Northern on November 21, 1980, and the locomotive became Burlington Northern #6845.

Leading a freight train from Portland to head east up the Columbia River Gorge, Burlington Northern Santa Fe #8022 is a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in March 1978. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #8022 and was repainted into Burlington Northern Santa Fe's "Heritage I" paint scheme on December 21, 1998, and had its headlight lowered into the nose following Santa Fe practice.

The trailing unit in the freight train, Burlington Northern #7278 is a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in March 1980.

Trains on Stevens Pass in July 2000

I took these pictures in July of 2000 when my family visited Stevens Pass in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. This first train was an eastbound freight train that was passing slowly through the town of Skykomish. It was led by Burlington Northern #7130, a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in January 1979.

The second unit in the train, Burlington Northern Santa Fe #3014 was originally built as a 3,000-horsepower GP40 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in December 1966 as Chicago, Burlington & Quincy #182. After the CB&Q was merged into the Burlington Northern on March 2, 1970, it became Burlington Northern #3012. On November 13, 1989, it was rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen in Boise, Idaho, as a GP40M, and became Burlington Northern #3515. After the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe merged to form the Burlington Northern Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, it became BNSF #3014 on September 25, 1998, but was still wearing BN colors.

We went to the east portal of the 7.79-mile Cascade Tunnel at Berne, Washington. This tunnel opened on January 12, 1929, and was originally electrified for the use of electric locomotives. A ventilation system was completed at this end of the tunnel on July 31, 1956, to allow diesel locomotives to be used in the tunnel. The door at this end of the tunnel forces the fumes to be blown out the other end; when the ventilation system is running, the door stays closed until an approaching train is with 3,200 feet of the portal.

This is the highest point on the Stevens Pass line, so this westbound freight train had been working hard to climb to this point, and would now be able to enter the tunnel and start down the other side.

Leading this train was Burlington Northern Santa Fe #4699, a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in April 2000.

This freight train also featured a pair of mid-train helper locomotives. Burlington Northern Santa Fe #4629 is a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in January 2000.

The original door at the east portal of the Cascade Tunnel opened vertically, but in 1997, the ventilation system was rebuilt, and a new door was installed that slides to the side.

This is the same eastbound train that we had seen earlier at Skykomish. The ventilation fans are still running with the door open, so some of the exhaust can be seen escaping from this end of the tunnel.

Having completed its climb this train can now continue down the east side of Stevens Pass.