GP35 SLSF 706 - BN 2556 GP35 SLSF 706 - BN 2556 - BN 2883 #1) BN 2556 Stored at Springfield, MO. 5/4/1985 #2) BN 2883 Pasco, WA. 12/20/1996
SLSF 706 - BN 2556 - BN 2883 - BNSF 2883 Here is a Frisco GP35 I have managed to photograph quite a bit over the years. SLSF 706 along with a number of other Frisco GP35s were leased to the BN back in the late 1970s. On 7/16/1979 the SLSF 706 was at Seattle's Interbay Yard between a BN F9A and an RS-11. http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=87755 The paint looks more orange than red in this photo but what is with the bright orange between the headlight and number board and above the engineers front window? After the late 1980 merger the lease became an ownership and SLSF 706 was numbered BN 2556 in the same series as BN's other GP35s. Here are photographs of it in Seattle June of 1986. http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=88679 http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=88680 Note that the air tanks on the roof are reverting back to Frisco colors! In 1990 the BN 2556 was rebuilt to a GP39M BN 2883. Here are photographs in Seattle taken well after the BNSF merger in 1997 and 2000. No more air tanks on the roof. http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=88284 http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=87907 In June 2002 the 2883 was sublettered BNSF 2883 and I photographed it in Eastern Washington 8/12/2007 near Providence Hill on the former NP. http://www.locophotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=66094 It has certainly come a long way since I first saw it as the GP35 SLSF 706! Brian Ambrose Renton, WA
Brian, Interesting locomotive history and photo collection. There are some noticeable "phase" differences between the locomotive photographs over time. Either the renumbering got confused between units or the locomotive did not stay intact during rebuilding. Note the frame, cab sub-base and engine compartment door latch differences. The GP35 SLSF 706 / 2556 is a phase Ia2 (SLSF 700-716) unit. The BNSF 2883 has the characteristics of a phase IIa unit (SLSF 717-724). The spotting differences in the photographs are noted below. The frame for the 706 / 2556 has the thicker side sill. Note relative size of Scotchlite reflector over fuel tank and no "fish belly" at the fuel filler pipe. However, the 2883 has the thinner side sill. Note relative size of Scotchlite reflector over fuel tank and a "fish belly" side sill at the fuel filler pipe. The cab sub-base for the SLSF 706 / 2556 has three columns of 3 louvers each, 9 total louver vents, on the battery box door. However, the 2883 has two columns of 1 louver, 2 total lover vents, on the battery box door. The engine compartment door latches for the SLSF 706 / 2556 are one set of latches for each 4 doors, 1 pair or 2 latches. However, the 2883 has two sets of latches for each set of 4 doors, 2 pairs or 4 latches. In addition, the fuel tank differences appear to be original phase differences as opposed to replacements. The shape and contour for the SLSF 706 / 2556 is appropriate for the "torpedo tube" units. Likewise, the contour shape and piping on the 2883 are consistent with its "phase". Newer EMD fuel tanks, if used as a replacement on the SLSF 706, do not have the sharp taper angle contour at the bottom as compared to the GP35. It appears based on the phase spotting features that during the renumbering / rebuilding the railroad lost track of the frame number of the appropriate unit and these are actually two different units. The frame number for unit SLSF 706 is 28917. Determining the frame number of the 2883 would determine its heritage identity. Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
Wow! That is a great piece of detective work Mark. I suppose the BN may not have been as concerned as to which unit it once was compared to what they were getting after the rebuilding. But as you say the true answer will be what the frame number of the 2883 actually is. Brian Ambrose Renton, WA
