Slightly off-topic, but a recent Trainorders photo of a BNSF SD9, still in use on a mainline freight train. Interesting to see these still in use nearly 50 years after they replaced steam:

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,904471

Dear heavens.

I remember going bananas ("I'll probably never see another SD9 in service!") when I photographed one of these SD9's (heck, maybe this very one?) on a local on the "racetrack" at La Grange, Ill............. oh, my heavens....... exactly 20 years and one week ago!!!!!!!!!!

And "tiger-stripe" GP50s....... and fuel-tender tank cars.........

I don't know what the big deal is. :) I run SD-9s on the Port of Tillamook Bay RR every day. If I'm on the 3 percent I might even get all four units in the 8th notch. I've found very little except a hard working steamer that sounds better than a first generation diesel.

Aaron Zorko

p.s. please don't take the frist line too seriously. I barely remember SD9's finishing up on the BN in the Omaha Area. I'm just happy to see them still running.