An eclectic consist leads BNSF Train H TULGAL9 03A onto the BNSF Brookfield Sub. from the joint trackage with the NS Kansas City District at Maxwell for the run east. The rear two units are a hump mother and slug set last used in Tulsa, OK.
BN 255 is TEBC6 Yard Slug rebuilt from what was once CB&Q 364, an SD9 built in 9-1955, builder number 20574 frame number 5399-20. The unit was later BN 6166, rebuilt to a slug it became BN 6294, after the merger BNSF 6294, BNSF 1816 after the yard units were renumbered the first time. When the slugs were renumbered again it became BNSF 255. When the SD75M's were renumbered from the 8200's to the 200's, the unit became dropped the 2, again regained Burlington Northern Reporting Marks, and became BN 55.
All of this has come full circle once again, as the engine is entering the Kansas City Cutoff, constructed by the Burlington Route in 1952. The project rehabbed 22 miles of old branch line, and built 48 miles of new track, shortening the Q's line between Chicago and Kansas City by 22.25 miles. This line was also called the "Centennial Cutoff" due to its construction starting during the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy's 100th year in 1949.
The old alignment went straight west from Brookfield towards Cameron, MO, and then south through Lathrop, Kearney, and Liberty before running into the Wabash at Birmingham.
Locomotives: BNSF 4379, CREX 1432, BNSF 1620, BN 55
10-4-16
Orrick, MO
