BNSF 771: Fakebonnet Survivor

With the merger of the Burlington Northern and Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroads in 1995, the newly formed "BNSF" had no corporate identity. To be specific, they had no paint scheme or company logo. While effort was being put towards deciding on an image for the newly combined companies, something did need to be done to put forward that both were now operating as one. The result was something a bit unconventional; take newly delivered locomotives, keep them in the paint scheme of their original planned owners, be it BN's Cream and Green or Santa Fe's Red and Silver, but with BNSF markings. The result was an oddball collection of locomotives, not many of which would receive this look as the railroad announced its new Orange, Green and Yellow scheme and first company logo mere months later. In spite of this, these engines quickly became popular with railfans, and those clad in the classic ATSF Warbonnet colors were quickly named "Fakebonnets" thanks to the BNSF markings. Now, nearly three decades on in BNSF's history, a handful of these engines still roam the rails, calling back to a time when Burlington Northern Santa Fe was nowhere near an "established veteran" of the railroad industry, but a newcomer looking to leave a mark.
One of these Fakebonnets found itself on the point of CPKC's Train 247, departing Bensenville Yard for the Twin Cities on a beautiful late summer afternoon (Yes, Saturday September 14th. I apologize, I goofed with the subtitles). In spite of it's seemingly effortless exit, the train would be caught in the myriad of Chicagoland for several hours before finally reaching Milwaukee as evening began to descend. Of course, if you thought I was passing this catch up, you would be very, very wrong! We first see the train in Caledonia WI, having crossed over at "Oakwood" to run wrong-main into the city, giving the Amtrak Hiawatha and Borealis a clear stop at the Mitchell Airport station. Getting back ahead of the train, we set up at the extended S-Curve in Wauwatosa WI to await 247's run out of the city. Having crossed back over to the correct main at Grand Ave Interlocking, the train roars through the village, setting up for the climb up Brookfield Hill. The evening light catches the Warbonnet colors perfectly, bringing back the glow that once dotted the Santa Fe's locomotive fleet in spite of the wear and tear the scheme has seen over 29 years of abuse. Even the BNSF markings fit in perfectly, in no way ruining the engine as she leads the charge up the hill and out of town. As if to sign "Finito" on the whole scene, trailing behind the duo of CP GE products and a lone KCS GP40-3 is CPKC 4412. Formerly a Soo Line GP38-2, the engine is one of the first to have been painted in the new corporate colors and logos of Canadian Pacific Kansas City! Funny, a newcomer on the block, looking to leave an impression.....exactly what the Fakebonnet had been some odd three decades ago.....
Enjoy Everybody! There is plenty more to come!

[@GEVOlutionCPKC]

Like1️⃣🚂🔥🔝👍🏼Nice catch!!