I was browsing RRpictures.net this eve and saw a very nice photo of the UP Dir. Special at Tunnel 10 on Tehachapi. It was pulled by a standard, newer model, anonymous road engine -vs the UP6936 that often (tho not always) pulls that train. I was wondering if any centennial has ever operated over Tehachapi? Given that this was SP territory in the centennials hey day, seems like the odds may be limited. Not sure if a latter day special would have taken 6936 here. Just curious if the length of a DD40 would cause any issues in any of the curved tunnels (i.e. tunnels between Caliente and Bealville (2 1/2?, 3) or tunnel 10. If it has happened, a link to a pic would be greatly appreciated.
Did the DD40 go north of Sacremento up into the region where UP had the landslide last winter after the re-opening or was that a standard road engine too? Not sure how the DD40 would do on tight curvature up there as well.
By the way - where have UP’s exec E units been hiding. Haven’t seen any mention of them out working in quite a while.
As you mentioned, most of the DDA40X engines were retired long before UP bought SP. I would rather doubt there would be any clearance restrictions(have you looked at an employee TT or Special Instructions for the division?). UP runs many inspection trains and though the 6936 seems to be used for a lot of them, it cannot be everywhere.
Don’t remember seeing any pic of a Centennial on Tehachapi, but my guess is they would fit. Their height wouldn’t be a problem, and their width wouldn’t be a problem in a straight tunnel; a curved tunnel would take more thought, but their truck centers were 65 ft, compared to 59-6 for a passenger car, and they’re no wider than a passenger car.