Train symbol

[trainhogger]

Does anyone know of this bnsf grain train symbol? GTMRSWA? I think it goes to swanson but where does it come from? and where the heck is Swanson? I would like to thank anyone who might know thanks.

[ET44C4]

Does anyone know of this bnsf grain train symbol? GTMRSWA? I think it goes to swanson but where does it come from? and where the heck is Swanson? I would like to thank anyone who might know thanks.

I have a book of Union Pacific train symbols, but I don't think it would help here. I also have their special instructions manual.

[GenericZack]

Are you sure its TMR?

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

G-TMRSWA looks to be a BNSF Symbol, but when i check i can't find the destinations.

[anavelgato2004]

Temora, Nebraska to Swanson, CA

[trainhogger]

Thank you so much anavelgato. would you know per chance where it is in Nebraska? I looked in google earth and could not find it.

[gtrtroger]

In some of my research, I have found that the location codes are sometimes and not always cities, towns, etc, but commercial entities. "Temora" could be a grain elevator or coop in Nebraska; maybe not. It "may be" a division/department of ADM. "Swanson" could be Swanson Foods, or Swanson Grains, etc; maybe not. It's hard to tell with the grain trains sometimes because they are (1) seasonal, (2) may, or may not exist from year to year, and (3) may be a onetime symbol....such things have happened.

I wouldn't get too hung up on the symbol itself. Suffice to say, there are millions of tons of grain being shipped from the US interior to industries in cities and to ports for export every single day. Using the symbol in scenarios is not going to be a big deal.....

[buzz456]

How about Tamora?
http://www.geaps.com/alerts/archives/2061.html

[trainhogger]

Thank's guys. I know that it might not be important to some people but to me it is. Some people go nuts for the horns some the bells, Etc. But I like operations. That is what gets me excited. . I like the way they move. LOL. But, Anywho Thank you so much. Now I am wanting to do a scenario on cajon in the early 90's. John Carr has a wonderful site but I have no clue to where what comes from where. For instance would the KCOAF come over Donner or the sunset route. Thanks to anyone who could help an old east coast SP fan.

[harryadkins]

I use this database for BNSF trains...

http://www.qstation.org/bnsf/BNSF_Train_Symbols.pdf

[gtrtroger]

Southern Pacific - KCOAF

KCOAF began as the ESBAT. In 1982, it handled TOFC and autos for San Antonio, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Tucson, (City of Industry, Ca and Los Angeles, Ca traffic are set out at West Colton, Ca), Bakersfield, Ca, and the Bay Area. In 1984, it became the ESBAA and the route was shifted to Ogden as a run thru with D&RGW train 179. It became the ESOAT in early October 1985 and then became the ASOAT in October 1985. From East St. Louis, it handled D&RGW traffic and TOFC for Kansas City. In June 1987, the Royal Gorge route was shut down and 179 was routed thru Denver as train 129. It became the KCOAA in January 1989 as a run thru with D&RGW train 179 via Minturn, CO handling Ford autos for the Bay Area. When operated thru Denver D&RGW symbol 129 was used, but symbol 179 was changed to 149 in October 1989. The train later became the KCOAF primarily handling Ford autos for Benicia, plus autos for Denver (set out at Pueblo for train PUDVM) and Salt Lake City.

ESBAT Pine Bluff 900A Oakland 1125P 3 82
ESBAF E St Louis 600A Oakland 500A 3 83
ESBAA E St Louis 400A Oakland 1100P 3 84-85
ASOAT E St Louis 800A Oakland 1100P 3 87
KCOAA Kansas City 800P Benicia 1000P 3 89
KCOAF Kansas City 100P Benicia 900A 3 93
KCOAF Kansas City 100P Benicia 430A 3 94
KCOAF Kansas City 400P Oakland 1030A 3 95

Shorter answer: Prior to 1984, train routed via Sunset Route. after 1984, via Donner Pass.

[BoostedFridge]

Thank's guys. I know that it might not be important to some people but to me it is. Some people go nuts for the horns some the bells, Etc. But I like operations. That is what gets me excited. . I like the way they move. LOL. But, Anywho Thank you so much. Now I am wanting to do a scenario on cajon in the early 90's. John Carr has a wonderful site but I have no clue to where what comes from where. For instance would the KCOAF come over Donner or the sunset route. Thanks to anyone who could help an old east coast SP fan.

I use John Carr's Carrtracks site for most of the symbols on my scenarios. (Time stopped for my Railworks operations in the mid 90's)

As Gtrtroger noted below, the information is often in the details on Carrtracks. If the symbol description doesn't give you the routing information you need, I try googling the symbol and looking for photos railfans have taken of that symbol in different locations to infer the routing.

Trainorders.com is an incredible resource also. There are many active and retired railroaders on there that have answered lots of symbol questions before, which can be searched in the archives. It is a paid membership site, but often you can bring up cached pages with the right search terms in your Google searches.

I hope this helps.

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

I made a steam guide about BNSF and UP Motive Power Setups and Train Symbols. Some of the knowledge i have seen through my years and other knowledge comes from rule books and some other guides. The UP one is very extensive: 4 PARTS!

How To: UP and BNSF Motive power setups and train symbols

[trainhogger]

thanks guys