Caption: Since I mentioned heading down to Assiniboia to chase the GWR in a comment in this shot of CP near Drinkwater, I figured I'd share a shot from that chase next. GWR 777 departed Assiniboia heading westbound around 1100 on Monday morning with 87 cars in tow: 28 hoppers of frac sand for Dollard, 35 tanks for storage for various sidings along the way, and 24 grain empties to be spotted along the way. Here in Woodrow, they'd just spotted some grain empties for loading. The empties were way on the tail end of the train, and there is a decent sized crest in the Shaunavon Sub just immediately to the west of Woodrow (not too far ahead of the power in this shot), and it appeared to be a difficult spot for them. In conversation with the hogger the next day at the GWR offices before I chased them east to Verwood, I confirmed this to be the case. Just another day in the life for these guys I guess! If anyone ever heads out this way, I'd recommend a visit to the GWR: a very friendly and hospitable bunch. I'd be more than happy to put you in contact with them ahead of time.
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Great shot Jamie! Thrilling to see the shortline operation thrive. Really hope they plan to repaint their motive power at some point – WOW is that ever PINK!!!!!
Thanks Keith! I am not too sure about the plan for the ex-BNSF units, but I was told that the plan for the ex-AOK units (in the red/yellow Rock Island-esque scheme) was to paint them in the green/white scheme of the GWR like the lead unit in the Verwood shot linked in the caption, and like the famed MLWs. If the ex-AOKs see the booth, I don’t know why these wouldn’t too at some point. Time will tell.
Many thanks for the painting insight Jamie. While the newly painted GW 576 looks great, it still amazes me that some locomotive schemes include so much difficult to keep clean/rapid deterioration white. To me the new GO MP40 decoration is God Awful!
Nice paint scheme!