It's been a long time since I have seen or heard anything about the UP E9's and the DDA40X that are in the Heritage fleet. Have they been parked or are they still being used?
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The DD40AX is still used for their "executive outings". I've not seen the schedule for this year yet.
I think 1 of the E's is out for repair somewhere.
Speaking of E's, the Alaska Railroad has an E-unit that was converted to a power car. It has 2 gen sets inside and 1 of the gen sets is out of service and the ARR has plenty of SD-70MACs that provide HEP. The ARR is supposedly going to put the P30 up for sale in the near future. The 3 axle trucks have been replaced with 2 axle trucks, but supposedly the ARR kept the 3 axle trucks for it.
The real designation for this diesel is DDA40X. Ed
Someone will have to confirm (or deny) this but aren't the E units just E units on the outside and are all modern under the hood from electronics to prime mover, etc? I seem to remember the "E-38-2" designation tossed around by railfans which, I would assume means there are GP38-2 parts in the E units. Anyone? Yay? Nay?
Yep, GP38-2 parts. Not sure what is in the B-Unit, I'd have to watch the UP video and see what it says.
The B unit also.
I remember reading somewhere that UP's E8B unit now has a generator inside to power the passenger cars and that only the E8A units were converted.
Originally Posted by Matt A:
I remember reading somewhere that UP's E8B unit now has a generator inside to power the passenger cars and that only the E8A units were converted.
Nope. All three UP executive E units are each powered by a 16-645E, roots blown prime mover, with all "Dash 2" electrical systems. Each unit is thus, 2000HP.
UP doesn't need any "Head End Power" generators in ANY of their diesel locomotives since they already have that big, custom made HEP "car" for their execitive passenger car fleet (plus one or two "passenger car looking" HEP cars).
The UP Steam Crew also has a 500KW, CAT HEP generator in their Boiler Dormatory car, "HOWARD FOGG", to supply 480 volt, 3 phase AC for all their own support cars.
With the retirement of Vice-President & Chief Engineer; Mr. Wimmer, the DDA40X (NOT DD40AX), doesn't go out as often as she used to. The DDA40X #6936 was Mr. Wimmer's favorite unit, and was "required" whenever he went out on an Engineering Inspection train. The 6936 is generally used, along with 4-8-4 #844, each year on the Cheyenne Frontier Days Special sponsored by the Denver Post.
The A-B-A set of E units should be seeing lots of action this year, since 2012 is the 150th anniversary of the Union Pacific RR, 1862 to 2012. FEF-3 #844 will be heading for a Civil War "event" near Memphis, TN, during March (Battle of Shilo?), departing Cheyenne, WY about March 20. Go to www.upsteam.com for schedule details & information.
I have put eyes on these large 8 axle units some years ago. They would come through at max pax track speed (Impressive...) with the yellow UP train in tow.
I have been wondering myself whatever happened to them. There is another Unit sitting as a "Gate Gaurd" at the UP in Little Rock and I don't think that one contains any engines or traction motors.
The IRM still has one...was outside for some time but now it's in one of the barns out there.
