SD45 8924 went to Western Rail for a traction motor replacement and one power pack swap. It was taken there by GP7 1617! It was there for only a couple of days. Fairchild AFB allows the storage of railcars on the old track that west through the base, AS LONG as none are parked closer than 1250 feet from the base fence. The distance was measured and marked and the remainder of the track east of the mark is now filled with 29 storage cars; covered gons and centerbeams.

Storage of cars not needed during the current economic downturn is good business for shortlines that have available track capacity. Centerbeams continue to arrive in Cheney and EWG is moving them to wherever they have space for them.

As an interesting side note, 50 asphalt tank cars in storage recently moved to Cheney for return to active service!

The new Geiger spur makes a fine place for EWG to meet a couple of trains, or for a short duration place to stash some cars. This was done earlier this week. 8924 was parked on the spur with 44 westbound cars while 8925-375 brought in an 82 car train for the BNSF in Cheney. A couple of times recently there were so many inbound steel loads that the SD45s took them to the runaround track with the 1617 along for the ride on the rear end of the train. The 45s were then cut off and the 1617 shoved the loads to spot. This saved the considerable runaround time that would have been required to work with the limitations of the 4-car capacity runaround track. And, wouldn't you know it, no railfans around to photograph this unusual train.

This view looks forward from the 1617


This view looks back from the 1617


This view of the 1617 as the storage centerbeams are shoved into the storage track at Rambo Jct.