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Caption: The railroad came to Beechy (pop. 228) with first train 1921. Station was a boxcar. Over the years any importance first assumed by CN diminished, and the line these days is a dead end in the village, 94 miles down the line from Conrose Jct. Big Sky Rail commenced operations on this former CN line in 2011. West Central Road and Rail ( a transloader) operated a few grain places along the line commencing in 2003 but sold to Mobile Grain in 2015. Big Sky Rail in turn is part of Mobile Grain (MGLX) owned by AGT Foods and Ingredients Inc. The diminutive 70 ton switcher, WCRR #601, former Mobile Grain, nee Modesto & Empire Traction is one of I believe 7 identical units acquired by Mobile Grain in 2011. The operators seem to like them. Unlikely any will ever be repainted.
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Nice. Paint scheme suits these well. I wonder what the solar panel is powering?
Dunno, Jacob. I do not remember seeing one on any other of the 70 tonners.
Nice scene Arnold. The old cylindrical hoppers are neat as well.
Thanks, Jason. So nice and a little too peaceful (nothing running) at many of these small towns. And there is so much distance between them.
The solar panel could be some kind of battery charging system.
IIRC, the M&ET retired most of their 70-tonner fleet due to new gensets (what with being in California, emissions might have been an issue…)
And, Mr. Dan, it appears you are right on both counts. Thanks.