I had promised some people this summer I would post some before and after photos of the UP-18 gas turbine. Here is the link.
http://www.irm.org/gallery/UP-18
It’s hard to believe I have been tinkering on this for just over six years, but I guess time flies when your having fun. The 2002 photo is pretty much as received from The Museum of Transportation. I had just started sealing and painting the roof as well as evicting the raccoons. Not quite visible are a couple rust holes in the sides that got this project going.
The 2008 long shot shows the same side this Fall, after the clear coat and move to the south track in yard 5.

Okay, I'm going to skate out on the thin ice a little here. I just zipped up my asbestos suit and put on my helmet.

Could one of these UP monsters be fired up anymore? Even once a year perhaps to teach the rest of us how they worked and for ideas for the future? Or were they "disabled" (like the Centennials) before they were donated?

Scott

Disabled, yes, but not by UP, who didn't donate any turbines to museums. I believe all of the preserved ones were purchased by Intercontinental Engineering near Kansas City, MO., who removed and re-purposed the turbines themselves. The carbodies were later acquired by museums from Intercontinental. A number of years ago, I was told by a docent at the Ogden museum, where #26 is on display, that there was a small diesel engine used for hostling in one of the units that was still intact and could be made operational, but alas, no turbine!

I’d like to hear one too. Because of the air intake/silencer on top they did not have that high pitch whine noise from a regular aircraft jet engine but did have the loud exhaust rumble sound. Apparently loud enough for most cities to not want them operating in town.

The Museum of Transportation in St. Louis never had a UP turbine, so the other Missouri source mentioned is probably correct.

Nice work and thanks for the update and insight. When did these beasts last operate?

Correct on “Smokey Hills” I had the museums in KC mixed up. The Kansas City Railroad Museum was operated by the Smoky Hill Railway and Historical Society. As of February 1987, the museum roster included…
·Union Pacific gas turbine-electric locomotive #18/18B - now at Illinois Railway Museum
·Union Pacific EMD DDA40X diesel #6930 - now at Illinois Railway Museum
·Union Pacific rotary snowplow #900035 also now at IRM

Turbines Westward by Thomas Lee lists UP #7 East out of North Platte Dec. 26, 1969 as the last revenue service for any turbine by UP. I believe UP-18s service card, still in the cab, shows the last inspection also in 1969.

Frank Hicks uncovered the source of the fuel tender now with 18 from UtahRails.net.
UP 907853, ex 800 class steam tender, ex turbine tender, painted black, traveled with SP 4449 from Birmingham, Ala., back to Portland, Ore. in April 1977. Donated to the now-defunct Kansas Railroad Museum in about 1981 to go with their GTEL-8500 18, 18B. Later moved along with GTEL 18, 18B to Illinois Railroad Museum at Union, Ill. (still in black paint).

Not any more! well at least the south side.