Video - UP Cheyenne Frontier Days Train last weekend

Great video. Thanks for posting.

Wow!!!  That's some train--thanks for the video.

what is the model of the trailing engine?

If you mean after the A-B-A set of Executive E Units,,,,,that would be the DDA40X #6936, the only operational standard gauge EMD "DD" model in the world.

Thanks for sharing the video! What a Magnificent Passenger Train...........Brandy!

UP does an excellent job of preserving certain historical units, kind of sad a 20 car consist of that caliber only runs a few times a year.

The UP executive passenger cars operate a LOT more than just a "few times a year". During last week's Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days Special, the UP also had an "inspection special" operating out in the northwest area, and that was 9 or 10 cars too. Shows how large the executive passenger car fleet really is on the UP. 

Other than the Cheyenne Frontier days, where does it run? I know there is the Denver to California train, but having difficulty finding others.

I always look for new trips and a UP one would be fun.

The current roster shows about 80 cars on the web.

Ok, the train I was referencing was one that ran from Denver to LA, it WAS done by a tour company, and used to be advertised by AAA in late 2000's, I thought it showed cars from the former Zephyr and City of Los Angeles in the ads. My bad.

Enjoyed the video, thanks for sharing. 

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

A nice video...thank you for posting it.

Thanks. I didn't take the video nor did I get a chance to see the CFD train in person. Work had priority.

That's one sweet train, thanks for posting!

It looked to me as though some of that video was shot in Greeley.  However, it did not include the signal bridge which -- if I recall correctly -- had a UPRR shield mounted on it. Am I remembering the shield correctly, and is the signal bridge still in service?

I had a conversation with a woman on FB who is a UP employee who works as part of the full time staff for the executive fleet. They run most of the year she said only slowing down in the winter.

UP949 & UP6936 appear not to be running. Any specific reason why? Kinda makes my MTH models look prototypical... Some units run and smoke, some do not

Probably because they arent needed. The E's each have about 2400 hp and the DDX has about 6600. To much power for a 22 car train.

NOT!!!!!   They need all the horse power they can get to maintain over 70MPH with that train. Do you really think that a 22 car passenger train, with all those domes, power car, and business cars isn't heavy? Besides, each of those E Units is ONLY 2000HP, thus the whole consist is 12600HP, in order to maintain 70+MPH, on that terrain.

For those unaware, each of those executive E Units were totally remanufactured, quite some years ago, and are now only really GP38-2 inside, i.e. there is no longer twin 12 cylinder 567 prime movers (for 2400HP), but only one 16 cylinder 645 (for only 2000HP).

I knew about the re engine but obviously got my numbers mixed up. I would think they dont need them all all the time and 12,600 hp is still over kill for 22 cars I think.

Obviously you have never operated a 22 car passenger special between Cheyenne and Denver.

Matt , you may be aware of this, but, with diesel electric locomotives, there are two separate requirements which are used to determine the assignment of locomotives to a train: weight on drivers, for tractive effort; and horsepower, for speed.

In passenger service, horsepower is the dominant requirement.  A train of lightweight equipment averages 75 tons per car.  Diners and domes are heavier, but 75 tons will work.  In the classic era, the City of Los Angeles was usually 14 cars x 75 tons, grossing 1050 tons trailing.  UPRR assigned 3 E-units at up to 2400 horsepower each, totaling 7200 horsepower.  That's 6.8 horsepower/ton.  That is a typical horsepower to ton ratio for a top-tier passenger train, which would allow fast acceleration out of speed restrictions for curves, and respectable speed on moderate grades.  

The 22-car Cheyenne Frontier Days train would conservatively gross at 1650 tons.  The 3 E9m's and the DDA40X would total 12600 horsepower, which comes out to 7.6 horsepower/ton (although it's probably closer to the 6.8 horsepower/ton of the classic era, because there are a number heavy cars included[power cars, business cars, domes], which should make the actual tonnage greater).  My figure was conservative.  If you are really interested, you can probably find the train list for the Special, and the weight of each car, on the internet and add them.  But - with all engines on line - the horsepower per ton is 7, give or take, and that's not off the mark for a fast passenger train. 4000 horsepower on line (2 E9m's) would be 2.4 horsepower/ton, which is the ratio of power that would typically be assigned to a decent manifest freight train (boxcars, gondolas, hoppers, tank cars mixed), which would operate on gently undulating territory at a target speed of 60 MPH maximum (but which could not be sustained through undulations).  In the case of the 4000 horsepower Special, the maximum allowable speed could be achieved eventually.  However, it would take longer to reach that speed after every stop or speed reduction.

You're probably also aware of the difference between steam and diesel electric locomotives in the speed ranges at which they most efficiently apply their power.  Diesel electric locomotives fade as speed increases, so, for a fast train, the diesel electric locomotive must have a higher horsepower rating than a steam locomotive which would pull the same train on the same fast schedule.

So, you can do the math and make up your own mind.  Personally, I believe that the train was properly powered with diesel electric locomotives that, regardless of rebuilding, are 45 to 59 years old.

Number 90. Thanks for the info.

Great video and consist. Thanks for sharing with us.

What's the purpose of the "solid dome" head-end car?

That is the huge Head End Power car. The diesel engine cooling system is reportedly up inside that "dome" portion. I believe it is something around 800KW, and provided 480 volt three phase, 60 hertz, AC power for the entire train.

Well done. 

Gary

• Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway

Thanks number 90 for the great information. 

Hot Water & Number 90 -

Good stuff all this hoursepower and tonnage talk.  Can either of you guys tell me the weight (estimate is okay) for the Hi-Level El Capitan cars?

Thanks

In 2010 3985 pulled the 100+ car BB circus train by itself to Denver. According to the math 3985 must be about 75,000 Hp!. Of course if factored in the grade a minus one all down hill.. In witch case 4-6,000 hp might maybe be enough..

You might want to go back and check that grade profile again, between Cheyenne and Denver. Also, as I recall the 3985 had a diesel MUed for additional power on that circus train (thus having over 10,000HP), plus they didn't have to maintain a 70+ MPH passenger schedule.