What equipment does the UP have in Cheyenne, Wyo and is it accessIble to the public via tour? I'm not a steam guy so my knowledge is poor, but I'm learning.
For starters, UP keeps their E9 ABA units, an SW-10 for a shop goat, a DD-A40X Centennial 6936, and last but not least; their 4-6-6-4, and 4-8-4 steam engines, 3985 and 844. There's also a couple UP rotary snowplows, a number of cabeese of all descriptions, a 2-10-2 5511 in the roundhouse, and a 4-8-4 838 also in the roundhouse. Engine 838 is a parts donor for 844. Several older boxcars are also in the yard/shop area, as parts storage. A former D&RGW F9B, 5763 is sitting on a roundhouse track right next to the roundhouse. Lastly, several (baggage) passenger cars are on the property, also as parts storage. If you would like I can get you detailed directions how to get to the yard. HTH!
So there are basically only 4 steam locomotives at the Cheyenne engine house, UP844 and UP3985 which are operational and UP838 and UP5511 which are stored there. Is this also the home base for the rest of the historical equipment (coaches, sleepers, etc) the railroad uses? E-9’s No. UP951, UP949, UP 966B and UP963B are old Union Pacific locomotives stored at Cheyenne. Are they still operational for special train use? It is also my understanding that several Chicago & North Western F-7A&B’s are in storage, but not operational. I remember reading that the first SD-7 is also in storage. I can’t remember the road number, but believe it to be either SP (most likely) or WP. I did not know there was a D&RGW F-9B, the rotary snowplows and cabooses. Directions are not necessary yet, but any pictures would be great. Thanks for the quick reply.
The E9s are still in use except for the 966B you mention. The SD7 is ex SP #1518 I believe or #1508. Can't ever get it straight but was the first "SD" ever. I thought all the CNW Fs had been sold off.
Pics forthcoming, but the SD7/9 you mention I don't recall seeing. The CNW F's are still there, one or 2 units left.There's also a derelict E8/9A sitting on one of the turntable stub tracks. The turntable still performs its function as well. Most of the heritage fleet varnish is stored at Omaha, if I recall, but only the Sherman Hill concessions car is based in Cheyenne.
IIRC, there are (or were) four ex-DRGW cabooses nearby in the yard- they're covered over with grime/grunge/a bad black paint job, but they're still showing some of the Rio Grande heritage. ANd of course, if you're into SD40-2s, last I was there they had two of 'em as yard switchers, and one as a RC switcher. ANd don't forget the Big Boy on display in the park east of downtown (it's on Lincolnway, the main east-west drag theu town), and the 1242 (a 4-6-0 last used on the Encampment Branch) in Lions PArk on the north side. Should you be of a mind to eat or drink a cold one or two and watch trains, the Snake River Pub is in the UP depot, as is an excellent museum and gift shop.
The number is of the first SD-7 is SP1518. It is now at the Illinois Railway Museum. My son was there with his grandparents and told me it was at the museum. Here is a link to 1518. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=365842
Rotary 900080 This rotary can be seen in action on Pentrex's video. I can't remember the title of the vidoe but it is where the sent this rotary up the help with record snow fall around Keddie and Portola.
Retired Rio Grande Cabeese More retired Rio Grande Cabeese Here is a CA-10 that they are using for parts for another caboose the Sherman Hill Model RR Club is helping renavate. There are a couple more former UP cabeese around the turn table. A former MOW that has been gutted for the most part. There may still be an MKT wide vision still there. It may have been sold. Not sure. An RPO that looks like it was once a part of the MOW fleet now awaiting a new assignment in Cheyenne, WY Different passenger equipment seems to filter through Cheyenne. Some stay longer than others. Not sure where this is going or if it is coming. There are a few SP passenger cars up there last time I checked. One in faded Daylight colors as you can see just behind the flat!
The E9A that I was referring to: The diesel pit usually has a few Deuces idling nearby: The depot is adjacent the Diesel Pit, and it's VERY busy!
This caboose is sitting near the shops area: Doubletrack snow plows: The E9's sometimes bask in the western sun:
A restored caboose sometimes comes out to play as well as 844: This whole gaggle of equipment can be found in Cheyenne: Sometimes 3985 gets kicked out of the steam shop so they can work on other projects:
5 signals guard the tracks near the depot: Rather than re-posting tons of shots, check out this tour of Sherman Hill...
