I think it "came to pass" the same way that most other stuff like this--the LNER A4's in Canada and Green Bay (currently back in the UK temporarily), the UP Big Boy in Scranton, the GG1's in Green Bay and Dallas, etc.--"came to pass."

Someone asked the owner (UP) for it; they came to a deal on price or donation and on transportation; and it's been there ever since......

My chicken-scratches notes in my roster book about 6911 going to Mexico are in the same ink as the notes on the rest of the fleet that were entered about the time UP permanently retired the fleet, so.....

At the time, UP was trying to build relationships with the Mexican Government and the Mexican Railroads. This was about increasing traffic between the two countries at the Brownsville and Laredo gateways.

Better there than being scrapped...

If this sheds any light on what occurred, according to Don Strack's utahrails.net site, UP 6911 was donated to Mexico Institute of Technology, Mexico City in March 1985.

Under the Big Boy thread, somebody suggests removal of 4023 and 6900 with it. Why? I mean, 4023, I can almost see, although it's economic nonsense. 6900? Pul-leese! U.P. has one operating, and many other were preserved. 6911? Here's a case that clearly says , "No way, Jose'".

I saw the subject in person on a visit to Mexico City in 1989. At that point in time she was in really good shape as were all of the rail displays in the park. I'll have to see if I can dig up a photo.

Tom,

Did you look at the image? Loco appear to still be in good condition

TH