Nothing political in this post - just railfanning…
In 1984, I caught the following train at Dallas Union Terminal.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=196864&nseq=2
I’m wondering if anyone can tell me anything about this train. Unfortunately, I do not have a shot of the entire train, but I think that I recall it being all private varnish.
I’m curious where it came from, who might have rode it, and was the SD40-2 repainted purposely for the train?
Thanks for any information you may have.
Yes, I’m replying to my own post to move it back up the queue.
Reason being, it’s a really obscure question, and the only hope I have of getting an answer is that one of those few people who know actually see it.
Thanks.
I didn’t see it, but I can tell you that the SD40-2 in the picture was far from the only one to carry MP lettering on UP paint. I believe that MP’s C39-8s and SD50s were delivered in that paint scheme. Occasionally the squarish numerals on the cab would last longer than the lettering on the hood.
That two unit, aesthetically mismatched, locomotive consist coupled to an ancient green baggage car leads me to believe that the photo may have been of a two-unit switch engine. The power could have also been a source of compressed air, an element necessary for the proper operation of on-board water service and toilets.
The relatively pristine condition of the paint on the Missouri Pacific unit leads me to believe that it was chosen especially for this train. The Railroad certainly would have wanted something clean and shiney coupled to its executive train - even if it were only a source of compressed air, or used as a switcher.
I seem to recall too that during the mid-1980s the Union Pacific executive trains were pulled by GP50X (?) units. At one time they were numbered in the 9000-series, then the 900-series (like the E9’s), and then the low 90s. These E.M.D. products had strange looking trucks painted a silver color; and they didn’t see much freight action because they had poorly designed suspension systems. The U.P. 902 pictured on Erie Lackawanna’s post definitely is NOT one of those units.
Bob - Very interesting observations… thanks so much.
You may very well be right. The train was not moving and they could have been there to provide air.
When I went back the next morning, the train was gone.
Charles Freericks
I believe you are referring to the GP40X units, which had HT-B trucks in place of the Blomberg Type-M trucks.
I dont ever remember seeing this train during that time(RNC)All I can remember was the 844 and the passenger consist that went to Houston and stayed about a week.The baggage car in your photo looks remarkably like the restored car at the Temple RR museum. It was given to the president of the Georgetown RR as a retirmnt gift from the GRR employees about that same time.Anyone correct me if Im wrong.
Danny
MP 3168 is listed (as 4168) here as being painted on August 14, and being renumbered 4168 4 years later.
http://utahrails.net/all-time/all-time-49.php#sd40-2-4164
The 844 was in New Orleans the day before I took the picture in question. When I saw it (at the World’s Fair) it was pretty well ensconsed in a display area. That’s not to say that it couldn’t have been taken out the next morning… and have led the train I saw here (meaning those engines were switchers)… but it seems like an unlikely turnaround.
Do you know what day that the 844 arrived in Houston?