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BN 2200

Back in August of 2009 I photographed BNSF GP39M 2816 at Everett, WA and after learning of its ex-GN heritage have been wanting to do a closer study. First here is the BNSF 2816 after leaving Delta Yard headed for the Scenic Sub on 8-18-09.

Turns out the 2816 was rebuilt from BN GP30 2200 which is the former Great Northern 3000, the GN's first GP30.

GN 3000 was built by EMD in April of 1963 as the first of 17 GP30's for the GN, all from the same order and worked primarily on the transcontinental main between the Twin Cities and Seattle. The GP30's were the first to be delivered in the simplified orange and green scheme. They were also the first low nosed units delivered to the GN. In 1969 all of the GP30's were assigned Lines West Montana Division Havre, MT shops for maintenance.

I never got to see the GN 3000 before the BN merger but I did after. Renumbered BN 2200 it led train #139 south at Auburn, WA on 12-12-71 in a consist of 2200/805 (GP30/F9B) with the 2200 still in GN colors. By 1972 the 2200 lost its GN orange and green and was painted in BN's brighter green. It should also be noted right after the BN merger five former GN GP30's were assigned to Seattle's ex-GN Interbay shops, the 2200-2203 and 2211 which were former GN 3000-3003 and 3011 and is the main reason I have so many photos of the BN 2200 and the other four. An example of BN 2200 is seen here at Interbay on 11-11-80 in clean BN green paint.

Eight years later in 1988 MK began a rebuilding program for the BN using a number of former BN units including the 2200 which came out of the program as BN GP39M 2816 in August of 1989. Six years after that came the 1995 merger with Santa Fe and the 2816 being relettered BNSF and still continues to operate in BN colors 14 years after its second merger.

Considering the BNSF 2816 can trace its roots back as GN first GP30 I'd say that makes it a pretty noteworthy locomotive.