BNSF 90

with track geometry train going by Carkeek park

BNSF track geometry car #90 was rebuilt from MRLX 5423, ex-VIA 184, exx-Amtrak 5423, nee-RF&P 804, a 54-seat coach built by Budd in 1946 for pool service on ACL trains.

Westbound inspecting

Hustling east from Los Angeles, heading to Chicago, is BNSF train U-LACCHI5-11Z. A U-train? This is a Special Unit Train, consisting of BNSF ES44C4 8140, covered hopper 808426 and unmanned track geometry car 90. BNSF 90 was built from a 1946-built Budd coach, originally Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac 54-seat coach 804 (purchased for use in the Atlantic Coast Line pool), later sold to Amtrak at their car 5423. This car reportedly ended up in Canada, stored there and possibly numbered VIA 184. However, it was carrying number MRLX 5423 when delivered to the BNSF in 2014, which leads one to surmise that perhaps it never wore that VIA number, as Mid America Railcar Leasing (MRLX) was still using the car’s former Amtrak number (5423). BNSF’s unmanned track geometry cars are numbered 90 through 93. (Fullerton, California – August 11, 2022)

BNSF 4300 slows to a crawl as it enters Elsberry, Mo. where it will take the siding to meet a south bound coal train on the BNSF Hannibal Sub.

BNSF 90

BNSF 90

The train consisted of an SD70ACe, a buffer car (covered hopper) and the inspection car.

Track inspection car.

BNSF 90

This morning, I was driving by and saw the Topeka Switcher working the shops with the ex-RF&P Budd coach that is lettered as the BNSF 90. This shows that it will likely turn up as some sort of support and/or geometry car when all is said and done. I've not seen this car outside since I first shot it back in September, 2014. If you check out the earlier shots of it, you can see that it has lost plenty of windows on its side. History of the car's past can be found in this earlier shot: <a href="https://www.flickr.cfm/photos/47104480@N07/15372745811/">www.flickr.com/photos/47104480@N07/15372745811/</a>

To be a new Track Inspection car.