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BN 805

Northern Pacific 7001B was built by EMD as a 1750 HP F9B and would later be renumbered BN 805 after the 1970 merger.

The Northern Pacific Diesel Era book states the 7000 and 7001 A-B-B-A sets were built in January 1954. They were originally ordered as six thousand horsepower F7's in September of 1953 and were to be numbered 6022 and 6023.

Delivered as seven thousand horsepower F9's instead, (1750 HP per locomotive unit) they were sent to Livingston for setup and then went on to Auburn to work the Auburn-Livingston freight pool. In October 1954 they, along with the 7002-7003 sets were transferred to the Rocky Mountain Division where they were assigned until the BN merger in 1970. Eventually these F9 sets were broken up and were commonly found mixed with other NP power.

Bill Kuebler has brought to my attention that the 7001B has shown up in a famous photo. It is the second locomotive unit seen in the NP's 1964 wall calendar photo taken near Lothrup, MT!

In checking my notes I have no record as having seen the 7001B in the late 1960's though I am sure it made numerous trips to Auburn, WA.

After the merger the 7001B was assigned BN number 805 and was assigned to the ex-GN Interbay shops for maintenance along with many of the early 7000 series F9's working in all kinds of service including helpers on Stevens Pass and local freight trains.

First time I saw the BN 805 was March 9, 1975 in the company of F9A 806. Both were in BN green.

My first photo of the 805 was taken on 8-28-76 on a westbound train at Skykomish, WA. As seen in this photo it was an oily mess and was quite dead.

I photographed it again on 12-27-77 and it was much cleaner looking and no doubt running a lot better. On July 20, 1979 the 805 was on the Ferndale Turn headed north out of Interbay when it was heavily damaged by a westbound train led by BN SD45 6511 that overran the end of double track at Mukilteo, WA and into the sides of the Ferndale Turns locomotives as they passed by. The 805 went back to Interbay where I photographed it on 7-23-79 awaiting its fate. The decision was made to rebuild the 805 as the damage to it was mainly sheet metal and plywood. I photographed it again at Interbay 6-3-80 fully restored to service. The 805 continued in active service for a year or so until all of BN's F-units were placed in storage and retired in the early 1980's. BN 805 was officially retired August 1982 and traded into GE that same month. I have not found any further information on the 805 since it went to GE.