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BN 6503
BN SD45 6503 was built new for the BN in June of 1971 from an order numbered 6498-6542. These SD45's were assigned to Havre, MT after delivery.
It appears that the 6503 made a quick trip out to Auburn, WA soon after entering service as the 6-25-71 page from an Easton OS book shows the 6503.heading east early that morning.
My notes show I first saw the 6503 leaving Auburn eastbound 7-8-72 on train #174 with units 6621/6503/720/735/744 (F45/SD45/F7A/F7B/F7A).
I took my first photo of SD45 6503 at Interbay yard in Seattle 5-31-78.
On 10-20-84 I photographed the 6503 leading train #130 east of Baring, WA on the ex-GN Stevens Pass line. This train had units 6503/4089/6564/6435 (SD45/B30-7AB/SD45/SD45).
I took one last photo of the 6503 at Appleyard near Wenatchee, WA 3-2-85 on train #196, the 6503 appears pretty dirty in this photo.
The 6503 was retired by the BN in February of 1986 and it was returned to the lessor. In January of 1987 it was sold to the New York Susquehanna & Western and became the NYSW 3620. Here are photos of it on rrpicturearchives:
In 1993 the Montana Rail Link acquired a number of ex-NYSW SD45's including the 3620 which was soon renumbered to MRL 365. Here are photos of the MRL 365 on rrpicturearchives:
The MRL 365 was retired by the MRL in July of 2007, apparently still in NYSW paint. There is no information available on the ex-BN 6503 after that but chances are it has been scrapped.