Has UP scrapped the last DD40x? i would love to know because that is one of the coolest engines i have seen.[:)]
From what I’ve read {even on here}, I believe at least one of them is operational sometimes powering their business train…Perhaps that is it pictured at the top of this page…{Trains mag. adv.}.
They infamously still have one working, its part of their heritage along with the Steam engines. I can’t believe it would be scrapped.
UP 6936 is still active pulling UP special trains.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=244951
There are several others preserved as well at:
Omaha NE (along I-80 in Kennefik Park)
Pocatello, ID
St Louis MO Transp. Museum
Union IL, IL RR Mus
Portola, CA - Feather River Museum
Maybe others?
Thanks for the info.
Check on these links from the UP RR website.
List of donated UP diesel engines (i.e. museums, etc.) inlcuding DD40’s.
http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/history/loco/locohs04.shtml
Historical UP Locomotives
http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/history/loco/index.shtml
Some info about the historic locomotives that UP still has on the roster incl the DD40 (6936)
11 DDA-40Xs are at museums or parks, 6936 is operating, plus I think one is used as a parts source on a shortline. I think altogether there are 13 DDA-40Xs still in existance, which is really good considering they unique engines and only UP bought them. There are many once-common diesels such as SD45s that have far fewer saved, yet hundreds more were built.
DDA40X 6936 has outlasted UP’s 256H SD90MACs. A 256H 90MAC is one loco that’ll never end up on UP historic roster since they’re all being scrapped:)
UP also has several E9s that have been rebuilt internally with a single 2,000 hp 645. Has 6936 undergone any rebuilding in the last couple of decades, aside from repairing the nose that was damaged in a crossing accident several years ago? E and F-units have been rebuilt internally with 16-645s with dash-2 electricals, and it’s easy to hide any modernization within a cabbody. Will it be harder to preserve the appearance of 6936 if UP ever decides to do any Tier 2+ modifications or replace the 3,300hp 16-645s with 3,000hp 12-710ECOs? At least the DDA40X has flared radiators.
I’ve always wondered if UP did anything to the 6936…Can it still produce 6000HP?
The Dakota Southern has one in Chamberlain, SD. Funniest thing to see in the middle of nowhere on 60lb rail!!
Phil
It looks like that UP 6936 still has it’s turbos.
Can’t see UP derating each prime mover below 3,000 hp unless it becomes a maintenance issue. BNSF has derated several SD40-2 to 2,300hp and calls them “SD39-2s”. They still have their turbos.
I cought it in Portola with the Feather River Museum’s dead one (6947?) in June.
How many were made?
Not enough, Those are awsome!!! And retired too soon (railfan opinion) [swg]
BTW- did you notice the header ?
There was a rumor that the one at Chamberlin South Dakota was being used as a fuel storage site for the Dakota Southern shortline that operated over the former Milwakee mainluine Larry
I caught thier Business Train several times coming through town at track speed for Pax… 75? I think. With the DD. Im not even sure if they can get that fast sure looked like it. I wont forget that memory. I recall counting up the silver axles and coming up with 4 per truck and thinking, wait a minute only DD’s have these; It IS a DD LOL.
There is a DD preserved as a decoration down at the North Little Rock UP Yards near the river. I will try to shoot a picture of it next time Im in that area.
I think there was another near the Big Boy up in Omaha when they moved the Big Boy some time ago. I heard talk that thieves managed to strip copper out of the traction motors. True or not? Who knows?
I think it will be a long time before the last DD is scrapped. Heck, I have one and could barely run that monster on any track. I think it’s still on the shelf where it’s been for the last 15 years.
Here’s a pretty nice night photo of the 6900 (and Big Boy 4023) at Kenefik Park (the new one) overlooking the MO River in Omaha
WOW!!! That pic is off the hook!!!
Here is an aerial photograph of those locomotives at Omaha.
Any ideas where this was taken at? That rock outcropping is absolutly amazing…