Inside the U.P. steam shops!

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:28 pm

You must see this collection of 80 photos, taken by a live steamer, who got an inside tour. The pictures are, for the most part, clear, and well lit. What is particularly interesting is the documentation of support locomotives 5511 and 838, which are used to replace worn parts for the 844 and 3985. The series ends with pictures of the support tenders and scrap line outside the shop.

Not only do these pictures enlighten us as to where the locomotives are bedded down, but - they reveal the extensive investment Union Pacific has made in keeping the rest of us happy, while they carry the shield around the nation.

http://zimmer.csufresno.edu/~gregl/cheyenne/

Howard P. · **Posted:** Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:38 pm

Nice images.

That SP business car is destined for scrap? Looks a bit too nice for that fate.

Howard P.

tomgears · **Posted:** Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:57 pm

Great photos. Thanks for posting.

Frisco1522 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:20 pm

Super neat place to visit and a class act crew. You had a super tour guide as shown in the photos. Good guy! Thanks for posting.

ozzman4 · **Joined:** Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:35 pm **Posts:** 14

that is truly impressive to be able to take a tour and get so many great shots of those two magnificent steam engines, thanks for sharing.
Matt

Brian Norden · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 1:03 am

Howard P. wrote:

That SP business car is destined for scrap? Looks a bit too nice for that fate.

I note that it is carrying an SP MW number not a number in the SP business car series. The paint scheme is the retro Daylight scheme that was applied to a number of company service cars toward the end of the SP.

The continuous row of windows would indicate that the car was not being used as an officer's car. Maybe a training or instruction car made out of observation-lounge.

There was one such car. The former SP 112 which was an instruction car made out of a lounge-observation reported to have been built in 1930.

car57 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:50 am

No its not destined for scrap ! Its probably Lyn being sarcastic.

BILL · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:57 pm

Lynn sarcastic!!?? Never!! lol

Seriously, you could not ask for a nicer bunch of people than the guys and girls in the UP Steam Dept.

dwoodbury · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:40 pm

What induced UP to save 5511 way back when? Was it ever used as preserved? How interchangeable are any parts with the active steamers?

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:20 pm

I merely posted the link, I am not the photographer, but I'm still delighted you guys enjoy the shots.

I would love to see 838 cosmetically restored someday, and put on display or donated to a museum. Note, she still wears the smoke lifters! 5511 was, afaik, destined to go to Argentina, but the deal fell through. She was partially disassembled for the journey in the roundhouse, and U.P. never condemned her. In the interim, the radii of the yard tracks had been altered, so she can't be removed without risking track damage of a derailment. I believe I read that U.P. would be glad to give it away to anyone who can get it out. She's a "drag" locomotive, and not a good choice for a steam tour. BTW, her piston rods are severed.

As far as interchangability of steam parts, I can't begin to guess.

Joshua K. Blay · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:33 pm

It was my understanding, per a Ron Ziel book, that a 4000, I thing 4018, was the engine destined for Argentina.

Joshua

BILL · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:53 pm

#4005 was the engine that was to go to Argentina per the "Twilight of Steam" book. #5511 hung around Green River for a while after the end of steam, IIRC, and was used in "Last of the Giants" but was not under steam for that....only made to look that way. Not sure exactly when it arrived in Cheyenne.

Howard P. · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:58 pm

Is 5511 the only extant North American steam locomotive with Young valve gear?

Howard P.
Union Link, CT

BILL · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:03 pm

I've always heard that it is, Howard.

Brian Norden · **Posted:** Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:59 am

BILL wrote:

#5511 hung around Green River for a while after the end of steam, IIRC, and was used in "Last of the Giants" but was not under steam for that....only made to look that way. Not sure exactly when it arrived in Cheyenne.

Thanks for jogging my memory. Back in 1969 or 70 two friends and I made a trip on the UP from LA to Green River on a weekend excursion fair. While there on the Saturday between the eastbound and westbound "City of Everywhere" train we went over to the roundhouse and walked inside and I seem to recall the locomotive being there. Could be wrong -- there were some interesting stuff in the house.

The conductor for the City of Portland west of Green River was a real veteran -- he had two stars and one (or two) bars on his uniforms sleeve. That meant that he had 55 (or 60) years with the company from his initial hire date.

I recall hearing a story that after the 5511 was in the roundhouse in Cheyenne it was sometimes placed on shop steam and became a big radiator to heat the building during the winter.