I like those U50s. They are just so unique, although I understand the crews hated them. The railroad certainly didn't have them around long. The Big Blows are a nice catch, even though they are divorced from their tenders.
The U50's road rough and had constant failures, usually caused by the electrical system. For an expensive loco, they were very cheaply built
IIRC the units rushed out just before a strike were the U50Cs (might be wrong - at the office and my reference books are at home...). They were still in primer, at that. They probably didn't go through the de-snag process.
UP U50 49, Denver, CO, circa 1970 (Bob Jordan) UP GP9 302 and Instruction Car 207, Denver, CO, circa 1970 (Bob Jordan)
Interesting to see the U-boat has had some work done. Those out of place hood doors. The bright paint on brake cylinders....
A mix of mostly 1st Generation UP power at Denver, circa 1970 (Bob Jordan) UP F9A 521, Denver, CO, circa 1970 (Bob Jordan)
UP F9A 522, Denver, CO, circa 1970 (Bob Jordan) The Big and the small of the UP, early 1970s (Bob Jordan)
Two years later, the 521 and 522 were sold to the Rock Island and became the 4157 and 4158. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/489311 http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr0601/ri4158.jpg
UP GP30 849, early 1970s (Bob Jordan) A trio of UP E-Units, with E9A 911 in the lead, Denver, CO, circa 1970 (Bob Jordan)
After sitting in a museum at Portola for many years, the 849 was sold to Western Rail and rebuilt to GP38-3 specs. It's now going into service as CMR 849 on the Central Montana Rail shortline.
