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Robert F. | profile | all galleries >> Model Train Photography >> MRL Grain Train tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

MRL Grain Train

Ever wondered what 48,600 horsepower looks like, look no further. The following photos show a run by of a 127 car loaded BNSF grain train typically seen on the MRL in the mid summer complete with two sets of helpers. The head end diesels are three BNSF AC units, two AC4400s, and a single SD70MAC. The mid helpers are three MRL SD45s and a F45, the rear helps are a six unit mix of a SD40, SD45s, and SD45-2s, dang can you imagine the sound?!? Enjoy.
BNSF 5704 in the lead.
BNSF 5704 in the lead.		 BNSF 9897 and 5656 are 2nd & 3rd.
BNSF 9897 and 5656 are 2nd & 3rd.		 Past the grade xing, the cars are going to be waiting a while.
Past the grade xing, the cars are going to be waiting a while.		 The Judge meets 13,200 hp worth of BNSF muscle.
The Judge meets 13,200 hp worth of BNSF muscle.		 73 cars back here come the mid-train helpers.
73 cars back here come the mid-train helpers.
SD45s, MRL 375, 367, F45 390, and the Kodachrome 7556.
SD45s, MRL 375, 367, F45 390, and the Kodachrome 7556.		 14,400 hp worth of mid-helps at the xing.
14,400 hp worth of mid-helps at the xing.		 Multi-foamer angle 1, MRL 7556.
Multi-foamer angle 1, MRL 7556.		 Multi-foamer angle 2, MRL 7556.
Multi-foamer angle 2, MRL 7556.		 54 cars further back, the rear helps are shoving hard.
54 cars further back, the rear helps are shoving hard.
21,000 hp, holy smokes!
21,000 hp, holy smokes!		 116 cylinders screaming in notch 8.
116 cylinders screaming in notch 8.		 Multi-foamer angle 3, rear helps.
Multi-foamer angle 3, rear helps.		 Finally MRL 342 brings up the rear.
Finally MRL 342 brings up the rear.		 The train continues up the pass.
The train continues up the pass.

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Paolo Peggi (aka Bracciodiferro)03-Feb-2011 20:47
Nice one,great! Vote
Paolo
Turner Hagen 26-Aug-2007 16:34
Awesome Pics!! I wish I could weather things like that!! Hats off to you!

Turner H.
Zak Gardner 21-Aug-2007 09:17
Yep, I can imagine the sound, I've seen it first-hand. Reminds me of being up on Mullan or even Bozeman Pass. I've seen a bunch of these MRL "Bridge Trains", and you have captured it well.
Guest 04-Aug-2007 20:11
santa fe trains
Greg Bruce 26-Apr-2007 12:37
Robert, I was absulutly awe struck by these photos. I take my hat off to you, one last comment where can I see more of your model photograthy. E-mail greg.bruce@hunterlink.net.au

Regards
Greg
Robert Forsstrom25-Apr-2007 22:57
Michael, I just used a little Photoshop airbrushing to add the exhaust, just enough to be noticed but not overpower the images.
Michael Gitlin 25-Apr-2007 19:33
Very Impressive Grain Train! What do you use to create the exhaust smoke on these engines?
John Woodlock 25-Apr-2007 14:29
Mr.MRL you are the man! I`m hoping to catch some of that this summer!

John W.
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