UP SD40N #1833, #1625 and 1616

: Helper, UT Sep. 10, 2014

Here, I represent not only Rio Grande survivors but also the survivors of the 70’s which I found during the trip.

These locomotives are found at Helper, Utah maybe assigned for local service.

UP SD40N #1833 was built in 1972 as UP SD40-2 #3180, with 3000hp prime mover.
UP SD40N #1625 was built in 1978 as UP #3466.
UP SD40N #1616 was built in 1977 as UP #3351.

1994 photo of UP #3180 found at RR Picture Archives site;
1986 photo of UP #3466 found at RR Picture Archives site;
1977 photo of UP #3351 found at RR Picture Archives site;

: Helper, UT Sep. 10, 2014

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UP DDA40X #6916

: Ogden, UT Sep. 10, 2014

This locomotive is being displayed at Ogden Union Station since 1986. The shadow is of UP FEF-2 #833 displayed next to her.
Compared #1833 with #6916, the black borderlines on red letters seem got bold this 45 years.

UP DDA40X #6916 was built in 1969 with a total of 6600 hp prime movers. She was retired in 1985. Two DDA40Xs and a #8000 series SD40-2 between them was the norm on high-speed priority trains in the ’70s.

1976 photo of UP #6916 found at RR Picture Archives site;

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Rio Grande Remnants in Utah 06 – Manned Helper Operations, Helper

: manned helper cut-in the loaded coal train

Wide use of DPU removed manned helper from most of the helper districts in United States, but not this district. Rio grande "Last of a breed"s used to mingle at Helper for the manned helper service. Today, UP 70s and 44s succeeded them. These manned helpers cut-in at middle of the westbound loaded coal train at Helper, and cut-off at Colton or Soldier Summit.

Photo above shows three (UP SD70ACe's #8640, 8677 and AC4400CW #6311) units manned helper forcefully but smoothly departing Helper after whistling to each other with the headend. Two DPUs are also pushing at the rear end.

Photos below, a trainman is starting prime movers of four (UP AC4400CW #7182, ES44AC #7602, SD70ACe #8793 and AC4400CW #6399) units helper set one by one, preparing for the next assignment.

All photos taken at Helper, UT on Sep. 10, 2014.

: trainman starting helper engines
: helper set waiting assignment

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UP GP40M-2 #1512 & 1524

: El Paso, TX. Sep. 10, 2015

These locomotives built in the 60’s are found at El Paso, TX. They were switching the UP yard.

UP GP40M-2 #1512 was built in 1969 as B&O GP40 #3706. It later became GATX #3706, rebuilt and renumbered to SP GP40M-2 #7134, and finally became UP #1512.
UP GP40M-2 #1524 was built in 1966 as SAL GP40 #619. It later became SBD #6690, rebuilt and renumbered to SP GP40M-2 #7289, and finally became UP #1524.

* 1972 photo of B&O #3706 found at Railroad Picture Archives site;
* 1966 photo of SAL #614 found at Fallen Flags site;

: El Paso, TX. Sep. 10, 2015

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UP Caboose #25432

: Pecos, TX. Sep. 12, 2015

This steel riveted center cupola caboose is found in front of former T&P depot at Pecos, TX.

UP #25432 was built in 1959 as one of 25400–25499 series class CA-7 cabooses. It was retired in 1989 and donated to the town.

* 1979 photo of UP #25432 found at Railroad Photo Archives site;


: Pecos, TX. Sep. 12, 2015

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UP XL #361139

: UP 361139

This UP boxcar is found at Monte Vista, Colorado.

According to the letterings on the car, this BF-90-7 class XL was built in 1969 and was assigned for paper loading at Albany, Oregon.

The shield (Herald) with “UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD” found on this car was introduced in 1950, and used until when “RAILROAD” was dropped in 1969[1]. The “automated rail way” slogan was introduced in 1962, and used until when the “We can handle it” slogan was introduced in 1970[2].

UP 361000 – 361499 series Boxcars
The Official Railway Equipment Register (ORER) for July 1974 shows the group with 494 cars of possible 500 in place, described as follows:

AAR Designation XL and description “Box, Stl. Cush. Under fr., Stagg. Plug Doors, 4 Belt DF 2 Loaders, Side Wall Lading Anchors”.

The inside length of these cars is 60 feet 9 inches, inside width 9 feet 2 inches, inside height 11 feet 1 inch, outside length 68 feet 3 inches, extreme height 15 feet 1 inch and capacity 6100 cubic feet or 172,000 pounds.

All the photos are taken on Sep. 6, 2017

* 1978 photo of UP 361409 from the same series at Saint Paul, MN;
* 1979 photo of UP 361059 from the same series at Seattle, WA;

[1] “History of UP Logo” at Corporate web site;
[2] Description for MTL #032 00 470 N scale model of UP #498051;

: UP 361139

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