UP Trimming Heritage Fleet (UPDATED)

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief

Union Pacific has donated a “small portion,” including three of the largest locomotives ever built, of its heritage fleet to non-profit Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA). The equipment comes from UP’s Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyo.

Designated for RRHMA are:

4-6-6-4 Challenger UP 3985.
Class TTT 2-10-2 UP 5511.
The Centennial UP 6936 EMD DD40X diesel-electric.
E9B passenger locomotive shell.
Four 1950s coach cars.
Diner-Lounge car.
Baggage car.
Caboose.
Two business cars: the Selma, previously Western Pacific’s Feather River, and the Stanford, originally the 1928 Southern Pacific Sunset

UP said the donation allows it “to focus on its remaining fleet, which includes the world’s largest steam locomotive, the Big Boy UP 4014, and the fastest, the Living Legend UP 844.”* The equipment will be moved RRHMA’s shop in Silvis, Ill., later this year, where RRHMA “plans a multi-year, multi-million-dollar restoration of the equipment, including restoring the steam locomotive to operating condition,” according to UP.

UP Senior Vice President Corporate Relations and Chief Administrative Officer Scott Moore said the railroad “is proud to be the only Class I with steam locomotives on its roster, part of the finest heritage fleet in the world”—perhaps unaware of Canadian Pacific’s Empress, 4-6-4 No. 2816, which sometime in 2023 is slated to lead a business train from Canada through the U.S. to Mexico to mark the formation of Canadian Pacific Kansas City, North America’s first transnational railroad.

Nevertheless, Moore said UP “is pleased with RRHMA’s plans to restore the donated equipment for the public to enjoy. Union Pacific remains dedicated to the maintenance and operation of our remaining heritage fleet, including hosting future tours and sharing UP 4014 and UP 844 with the rail community.”

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014, along with Union Pacific 844, en route to Ogden, Utah at Echo, Utah, to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike. Photo: Wikipedia/Aaron Pedersen

“The RRHMA is a wonderful home for this historic equipment,” said UP Steam Program Manager and steam locomotive engineer Ed Dickens, now with three fewer locomotives on his roster. “Railfans will look forward to seeing UP 3985 and UP 5511 return to the rails, as well as enjoy the opportunity to experience the various cars being donated.”