UNION PACIFIC LOCOMOTIVE NUMBERS

Trains Magazine Trackside Guides
1

I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT UNION PACIFIC LOCOMOTIVE NUMBER I HAVE SEEN THERE IS A (Y) IN THE BEGINNING OF THE NUMBER Y707

THIS WAS SPOTTED IN A RAIL SIDDING IN ELK GROVE IL JUST WEST OF ORD AIRPORT.DOES THE Y INDICATE A YARD LOCOMOTIVE

THANKS BOB

2

Yes, “Y” means YARD

http://www.thedieselshop.us/UP.HTML

3

That is correct. A few years ago UP needed a new numbering system to have more blocks of numbers because they were almost at capacity with 4 digit numbers and 5 digit numbers were too big of a hassel with computer systems. Thus, UPY was created. Yard locomotives (swithers, smaller odd locos (i.e. GP15’s) etc.) were placed in this new system freeing up larger number blocks for newer road power.