Hi. if i am still running UP challengers, Big-Boys at the end of their their time, what GPs or SD can I run with them.I do have F and E units
Many thanks
The Big Boys and Challengers saw service until 1957, so you should be fine with early GP´s and SD´s, i.e. GP 7, GP 9 or SD 7 and SD 9.
UP owned 30 GP 7´s, 219 GP 9´s, 10 SD 7´s and no SD 9. SD 24´s were put into service in 1958, too late to see them together with a Big Boy.
Just a little correction: The Big Boys saw service until 1959! The last Big Boy to make a trip with a freight train was # 4015 in July 1959, after that steam was dead on the UP.
UP Challenger 3985 retired from regular service in 1957, was then stored in 1962 and was restored to running condition in 1982. So you could stretch its service years a little up to early 1960’s if that allows you to run a certain diesel, or of course you can operate your layout in the 1980’s and have it running.
I think with the UP Challenger you have a fair bit of flexibility.
Here is some info: http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/up3985.shtml
Here’s a video of 3985 pulling 143 cars up hill:
Nice thing about modeling is you can run anything you want. I run SD70’s, GP40’s, and AC6000’s right along with my M1a and Y6B.
As noted GP7/9 (and UP turbo’d GP9) SD7/24
Any E or F unit that UP had; in addition to all flavors of gas turbines, and many Alcos, FMs, etc, etc,