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BN 6793

BN SD40-2 6793 came from order #776093 for 38 BN SD40-2's numbered 6791-6799 and 7000-7028, all built 11-12/1977. The 6791-6799 started out primarily in coal service but were eventually released to the general freight pool over time.

I first saw the 6793 on 4-16-83 eastbound on BN train SPH with units 8171/6793/6809/6739 (4 SD40-2's) crossing Stevens Pass on the ex-GN.

My first (and only) photo of the BN 6793 was not until 6-6-92 on BN train #120 near Paradise, MT on the MRL with 6793/7802 up front at 09:00 AM.

Next came the BNSF merger and the BN 6793 was renumbered and painted to BNSF 6793 on 3-14-00. I roster shot the BNSF 6793 at Seattle, WA 4-3-00 so the paint was just a few weeks old.

I last caught the 6793 leading westbound S-CHCTAC on 8-18-03 with units 6793/8014/9254 (SD40-2/SD40-2/SD60M) at Edmonds, WA along Puget Sound.

The lease on the BNSF 6793 ended 2-27-09 and it was retired and returned to the lessor and was soon part of the HLCX roster, still in H1 paint but with BNSF markings painted out and a spray painted HLCX, This 2012 photo of the HLCX 6793 was among the last I could find of the SD40-2. No photos of it after that.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3289472

The 6793 was scrapped in Illinois during January 2013. Before scrapping the number boards were removed and one became available on eBay. I was able to purchase it a few years ago but was not really aware of it's history until now.

The number board appears to be from BNSF/HLCX 6793 but was not used on the BN 6793. The font of the BN SD40-2 is different but it does match what was on the BNSF and HLCX unit. Still happy to have it though.