Just saw a picture of Union Pacific locomotive #7400, shrink wrapped, kind of like the Heritage locos before they were unveiled. Anybody know what's going on?
Either like BNSF with long term Storage, but since 7400 is a new unit. HOPEFULLY another heritage unit!
I'm wondering if it's something for the steam program's 50th. That's a couple months away though, a little early to release it. Heard it's going to Council Bluffs, and to hold for further instructions.
UP 7400 Heading down there next week will do some snooping around. Have a freind that is pretty into the UP action in and around Omaha.
Sounds like it is for the Steam Program. There will be a special logo on the side.. Similar to the 2010.
Definative answer: 7400 is yellow with a pink ribbon and commemorates UP's involvement with the Susan Komen for the Cure and Breast Cancer Awareness. It will be unveiled in Omaha next Tuesday...
Darn Such a let down its nothing more than an expensive sticker on a unit. But hey, better than nothing. Lets hope it stays away from Donner. And stays clean!
They could have at least painted the body (above the walkways) pink. Although, immagine the crap guys would give eachother for running a pink engine, "UP sevetyfour hundred, that's a nice girly engine for a burly girly engineer, highball the roll by!!!"
My thought is that UP learned that as great for railfans the Heritage units are, the maintenance crews absolutely HATE them. The stickers and paint require special handeling so if there is a problem with one you have to replace the entire sticker plus touch up the paint. The BSA unit's stickers are much simpler and they have the touch up paint on hand everywhere. The costs for replacing those stickers all the time could almost buy a new engine. If they paint the unit pink, or even parts of it, would again require special paints for touch up.
Glad to know that the UP's awareness and generosity in dedicating a loco for Breast Cancer is a let down to some. To others that have had to deal with the realization of Breast Cancer it is a very nice tribute.
It's disingenuous to snidely put down people who were hoping for more out of this as if they were somehow disregarding UP's generosity. Of course UP should be applauded for their efforts in fighting Breast Cancer. That has nothing to do with whether or not the Breast Cancer unit was impressive. And if we did want to make such a connection, I would point out that the entire point of decorating that unit is to raise awareness. Not just among employees, but amongst the general population who will see the unit at Grade Crossings and along roads and everywhere it goes. It is perfectly valid in that context to ask whether UP has really stepped up in this manner. I mean, essentially what they've done is gone down to wallmart and picked up a pink ribbon magnet and slapped it on. I fully support and appreciate the effort they've gone to as an organization, but that doesn't mean I think they paint shop stepped up for this.
UP 74OO I just had a look at UP 7400 pictures in Railroad Picture Archives there are 3 pages of this nice looking Diesel Locomotive and the information I read in one of UP homepages states she will be working on Automobtle & Intermaodal trains UP1995 Jeffrey northern844@hotmail.com
I just saw a pic of the 7400, and personally, I like it. As the brother of a breast cancer survivor (my sister had a double mastectomy several years ago, and has remained cancer-free for quite a long time), I give points to UP for their efforts. To those folks who think UP could have done a better job- well.............err:err: Just remember- all of the Heritage paint jobs are temporary, and eventually the units will go back to plain yellow & gray. So like 'em or not, enjoy 'em while you can. I'm not a big fan of the SP Heritage scheme, but I still took pictures of it when it came thru Muskogee. UP made the final decisions on the paint jobs/decal appliations, not us railfans. I'm just grateful that they make attempts at positive PR.
Oh Sure sure, Its not like its a big deal in the grand scheme of things. I just don't like the notion that somehow, not liking the unit is equivalent to not supporting UP's Cancer support (there's a bad turn of phrase). That's neither fair nor reasonable.
I just thought a big pink engine would be a little more eye catching and symbolic to the cause. Wisconsin Southern has a big pink boxcar for it, why not a big pink engine for UP?
Heritage and Special Units At least Union Pacific Remembers it's heritage and does things for the community,ie Boy Scout Engine, Breast Cancer Engine, Special steam trips and the Heritage Units. Union Pacific should be commended for doing something. It is ALOT more than my road(BNSF) will do. When asked about heritage units I was told they were TOO busy hauling freight to worry about PR? Shawn
Well, if UP had used the paint formula that Katy used for their Barringer red diesels, their Katy heritage unit woulda faded to pink in a hurry after exposure in the hot Texas and Oklahoma sun....................