Original uses of GP60Ms

Original uses of GP60Ms

By Angela Cotey | June 15, 2016

| Last updated on November 3, 2020


Ask Trains from the April 2014 issue

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On June 16, 1990, Santa Fe Railway GP60M No. 114 leads a westbound intermodal train near Ethel, Mo. These locomotives were originally purchased for intermodal service and have since been transitioned by the railroad to switching duties.
Tom Danneman
Q I’m a fan of BNSF Railway and have seen their ex-Santa Fe GP60Ms used in yard service in Southern California. Did Santa Fe use them for intermodal service? Were there any modifications that BNSF made for yard service? — Matt Brozowski, Germantown, Wis.

A The Santa Fe did originally use the GP60Ms in intermodal service. They were later used in various types of through-freight service. Today the locomotives are used in switch and local service. According to BNSF Railway, the “Desk Top” control console arrangement was modified with the conventional “AAR Clean Cab” control stand with controls mounted to the left of the engineer. — David Lustig

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