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BN 6804
BN SD40-2 6804 was built as BN 6344 in March of 1973. It was part of an order of new SD40-2's numbered 6340-6375 intended for mainline freight service.
During 1974 these BN SD40-2 were equipped as Locotrol Masters Units and Locotrol Remote Units and given the new number series of 6800's for the masters and 6900's for those equipped as remote units. The 6344 was renumbered to BN 6804 in July of 1974 as it was set up as a Locotrol Master Unit.
> The first time I saw the 6804 was on 11-12-79 at the Interbay, WA engine facility, coupled up to an SD45 but it was not being used in Locotrol service the day I saw it.
I first photographed the 6804 on 1-4-79 leading eastbound 74 at Skykomish, WA. That trains power was 6804/5724/8014 (SD40-2/U33C/SD40-2)
On 6-18-80 I photographed northbound train 138 coming into Argo, WA with units 6804/2084/6599 (SD40-2/GP38-2/SDP45)
My final photo of the 6804 was a roster shot taken 7-12-80 at Seattle, WA.
The 6804 continued in service on the BN up to the BNSF merger when it was renumbered to BNSF 6839. I have no photos of the 6839 but there are some on rrpicturearchives and note that the 6839 has been repainted in the latest BNSF paint scheme:
When new BNSF GEVO's began arriving in the 6800 series the SD40-2's in that number series were renumbered. The BNSF 6839 became BNSF 1708 sometime around 2014. It is currently still in service on the BNSF but I have yet to see it. I am hoping that sometime in the future it will come out to the Pacific Northwest.