You are here: Home > Great Northern Section > BN 6594
BN 6594
BN SDP45 6594 was originally built as the Great Northern 328 in July 1967. The 328 was one of eight EMD SDP45's purchased by the GN numbered 326-333. All of the SDP45's were delivered in Big Sky Blue and became regular power on the Empire Builder passenger train and also saw service on secondary passenger trains.
After the BN merger the GN 328 was renumbered to BN 9858 fairly quickly and reassigned to freight service as I saw the BN 9858 at Easton, WA 5-10-70 on an eastbound freight led by 9857/9863/NP 7012A/9858. (SDP45/SDP45/F9A/SDP45) All three SDP45's still wore Big Sky Blue.
A few days later the 9858 was leading trains through Easton as the OS sheet from 5-12-70 shows. Also note the SP C630 7808 leading trains that day as well. Many SP Alco's were leased at that time to help with a power shortage.
By 1973 the 9858 was in BN green as seen in this photo from rrpicturearchives . It also appears the the steam heat equipment on the rear of the 9858 has been removed, possibly during repainting.
In 1973 the 9856-9863 were renumbered to BN 6592-6599 to fit in with the other BN SD45 series since they were no longer in passenger service . The 9858 became the BN 6594. All of the ex-GN SDP45's were assigned to Havre, MT for maintenance.
On 8-31-77 I photographed the 6594 at Interbay, the former GN engine facility just north of downtown Seattle. Look closely and you will see some Big Sky Blue showing on the handrail leading to the front cab door.
BN retired all eight of the ex-GN SDP45's between 1984-1987 with the 6594 retired 12/86 and sold for scrap in 1987.