The U.P. business train blasted through Los Angeles at 6:15 a.m. this morning when I was working at a local bus yard. Centennial DD40X was on the point. Does anyone have any other information about this train.
Ah the inspection special. It’s touring the entire UP system with the last operating centenial on point. This train will pay Altoona a visit next thursday in fact. and i’ll be there to photograph the 6936 in all his massive 8-axle glory!
It’s the annual Wimmer Engineering Special, which is touring the entire UP system.
Here’s a schedule…
UP Wimmer Engineering Special with 6936 and 10-13 cars.
Apr 4, 2008: Council Bluffs, Boone, Des Moines, Kansas City, Paola,
Parsons
Apr 5, 2008: Parsons, McAlester, Ft Worth, Sweetwater
Apr 6, 2008: Sweetwater, Pecos, Sierra Blanca, El Paso, Lordsburg
Apr 7, 2008: Lordsburg, Tuscon, Yuma, Rancho, West Colton
Apr 8, 2008: West Colton, Yuma Jct, Burbank Jct, Las Posas, San Luis
Obispo, North Elmhurst, San Jose, Oakland
Apri 9, 2008: Oakland, West Haggin, Roseville, Binney Jct, Dunsmur,
Klamath Falls
Apr 10, 2009: Klamath Falls, Oak Ridge Eugene, Portland, Hinkle
Apr 11, 2008: Hinkle, Fish Lake, Spokane (via BNSF), Eastport,
Sandpoint, Spokane, Fish Lake, Hinkle
Apr 12, 2008: Hinkle, La Grande, Nampa, Pocatello
Apr 13, 2008: Pocatello, McCammon, Ogden, Salt Lake City, Provo,
Helper Grand Juction
Apr 14, 2008: Grand Junction, Bond, Denver, Sharon Springs
Apr 15, 2008: Sharon Springs, Salina, Topeka, Kansas City, Sedalia
Apr 16, 2008: Sedalia, Jefferson City, St Louis (via IM), Ridgley,
Peoria, Nelson, Park, Proviso
Apr 17, 2008: Proviso, Milwaukee, Adams, Altoona, St Paul
Apr 18, 2008: St Paul, St James, Sioux City, Missouri valley,
Council
Bluffs
Phil
Anybody know any more details of the schedule for the 17th - Proviso to Adams? I’m assuming it would go past Butler and I’d like to get some pics or footage.
OK, does that “via IM” mean it’s going to operate over the Illinois & Midland? Which would put a UP passenger train powered by a Centenial over the old C&IM?
I’m stuck in Wisconsin, please, somebody get a photo.
The I&M has rights over the parallel (almost) UP between Pekin and Barr, Illinois. But I don’t think it uses them much. A once proposed alternative was that the UP run over the I&M instead of its own line. Might be the reason for the UP’s inspection of the I&M.
The route from Oxford to Necedah will be covered well…we are debating weather or not to head twords “Atmo Country” to see it.
Phil
Ken, UP uses the I&M to get to its Peoria Sub from the old GM&O at Springfield these days.
The train is usually scheduled to leave its daily point of origin in the early morning (around six-ish), but has been known to start out later when it arrives later the previous night. The day’s trips are scheduled at about 13 hours.
While I’m at work, I can’t post updates on the Forum, but I’ll be watching its progress, time permitting.
At the moment, I have a projected 6:00 p.m. arrival at Proviso tomorrow evening. Wouldn’t expect to see it on the Rochelle Webcam much before 4:00, but it will be hauling gluteus, with other trains staying out of its way.
Thank you. I appreciate that.
I got real exited at the thought of this train rolling through Manito, IL on the I&M. I grew up in Manito (pop. abut 1,000 back then.) But, I think you’re right, it’ll turn north at Barr and get back on the UP. But I can hope.
Some years ago George Stern was president of the C&IM. Now the I&M. I knew him from the ICG and I credit him with saving the C&IM from abandonment. He pitched the UP about using the C&IM in lieu of their own line. As you stated, the UP uses the I&M from Springfield to Barr now. The lines recross just south of Pekin.
The UP line is basically a “bridge” with no local business. The I&M serves a power plant in Havana along with a rail to barge coal transfer facility there. They also serve some local ag businesses. As an example, Mason County, IL has become the leading producer of popcorn in the US. Multi car shipments of bulk popcorn move out on the I&M. (Mason County, IL, which contains Manito, had more people in 1857 than it does now.)
So I thought maybe Stern’s pitch had finally crossed the plate. Why maintain two railroads when one line can handle the traffic? And the coal business is on the I&M. It’s slightly longer and it has one mean grade approaching 2% northbound at Petersburg. But I thought maybe, just maybe, the UP engineering folks
They are missing out on an important part of the system. Southern Wyoming! I transferred to a jobsite near Granger a couple weeks ago, and It is in direct sight of the tracks! I just HAD to set up my desk facking the north window in my cramped Job Trailer… It also put me in a spot to do some other things I love to do as well, I can Fish the Blacks Fork River on my way home and be near a cridge that crosses the same river.