Thank you for sharing

One big massive engine

And I was expecting to read something about Union Pacific's 1300 SD70M locomotives numbered between 3700 and 4999...

Peter

Andre Chapelon claimed he could have increased the power of a UP 4000 to 12,000 hp but his proposed modifications were extensive. Given his success with French locomotives there is no reason to doubt this.

Andre Chapelon claimed he could have increased the power of a UP 4000 to 12,000 hp but his proposed modifications were extensive. Given his success with French locomotives there is no reason to doubt this.

Even at the advertised 7000hp, very little of that will be required now for heritage operation.

For true heritage operation you are correct as it was NEVER a pass loco, but I am sure UP will try it on a few decent sized freights. After all 844 has hauled a freight and assisted an 11,000 ton freight that had stalled on a grade, so UP is NOT afraid to load these locos up. It would be nice to see it at the head of a 3 to 4000 ton freight.

For true heritage operation you are correct as it was NEVER a pass loco, but I am sure UP will try it on a few decent sized freights. After all 844 has hauled a freight and assisted an 11,000 ton freight that had stalled on a grade, so UP is NOT afraid to load these locos up. It would be nice to see it at the head of a 3 to 4000 ton freight.

Whereas here we have a garratt rated 3000HP in the current table, yet can't go anywhere without a diesel pusher or three.

For true heritage operation you are correct as it was NEVER a pass loco, but I am sure UP will try it on a few decent sized freights. After all 844 has hauled a freight and assisted an 11,000 ton freight that had stalled on a grade, so UP is NOT afraid to load these locos up. It would be nice to see it at the head of a 3 to 4000 ton freight.

Whereas here we have a garratt rated 3000HP in the current table, yet can't go anywhere without a diesel pusher or three.

For true heritage operation you are correct as it was NEVER a pass loco, but I am sure UP will try it on a few decent sized freights. After all 844 has hauled a freight and assisted an 11,000 ton freight that had stalled on a grade, so UP is NOT afraid to load these locos up. It would be nice to see it at the head of a 3 to 4000 ton freight.

Whereas here we have a garratt rated 3000HP in the current table, yet can't go anywhere without a diesel pusher or three.

For true heritage operation you are correct as it was NEVER a pass loco, but I am sure UP will try it on a few decent sized freights. After all 844 has hauled a freight and assisted an 11,000 ton freight that had stalled on a grade, so UP is NOT afraid to load these locos up. It would be nice to see it at the head of a 3 to 4000 ton freight.

Whereas here we have a garratt rated 3000HP in the current table, yet can't go anywhere without a diesel pusher or three.

Britain, the USA and Europe appear to have a much more mature way of looking at steam operation, they are seen as either  major tourist attractions or rail publicity. In Aus steam appears to be considered a pain in the rear end.

A problem in Aus appears to be most steamers have NOT been fitted with modern signalling equipment, this limits where they can be used. In Britain particularly an increasing number of steamers are being fitted with this equipment specifcly so they can run on main lines and I would not be surprised if UP4014 was so fittted.

woodford

For true heritage operation you are correct as it was NEVER a pass loco, but I am sure UP will try it on a few decent sized freights. After all 844 has hauled a freight and assisted an 11,000 ton freight that had stalled on a grade, so UP is NOT afraid to load these locos up. It would be nice to see it at the head of a 3 to 4000 ton freight.

Whereas here we have a garratt rated 3000HP in the current table, yet can't go anywhere without a diesel pusher or three.

Britain, the USA and Europe appear to have a much more mature way of looking at steam operation, they are seen as either  major tourist attractions or rail publicity. In Aus steam appears to be considered a pain in the rear end.

A problem in Aus appears to be most steamers have NOT been fitted with modern signalling equipment, this limits where they can be used. In Britain particularly an increasing number of steamers are being fitted with this equipment specifcly so they can run on main lines and I would not be surprised if UP4014 was so fittted.

woodford

What are you talking about? TPWS in Victoria? As far as i'm aware there are no restrictions (besides the 80km/h speed limit if they dont have TPWS) for any steam loco to go anywhere. If there is a restriction, its mainly due to weight.

Your first comment is talking about Government and stakeholders, yes?

Britain, the USA and Europe appear to have a much more mature way of looking at steam operation, they are seen as either  major tourist attractions or rail publicity. In Aus steam appears to be considered a pain in the rear end.

A problem in Aus appears to be most steamers have NOT been fitted with modern signalling equipment, this limits where they can be used. In Britain particularly an increasing number of steamers are being fitted with this equipment specifcly so they can run on main lines and I would not be surprised if UP4014 was so fittted.

woodford

What are you talking about? TPWS in Victoria? As far as i'm aware there are no restrictions (besides the 80km/h speed limit if they dont have TPWS) for any steam loco to go anywhere. If there is a restriction, its mainly due to weight.

Your first comment is talking about Government and stakeholders, yes?

On 130kph main lines 80kph is a significant restriction, it limits the paths availible. THe AI locomotive trust went to a great deal of trouble to get the locomotive certified for 90mph, to allow it to run on main lines without it holding up normal 100mph traffic.

"Your first comment is talking about Government and stakeholders, yes?"

Correct

There is a Utube clip somewhere with UP's Challenger, dragging a long line of double stacked containers.
Might post link later.

Edit

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XhgHrDbN4EU

There is a Utube clip somewhere with UP's Challenger, dragging a long line of double stacked containers.
Might post link later.

Edit

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XhgHrDbN4EU

That was a special run put on at the request of APL. Apart from 5 kms of compensated 1:150 grade up Archer hill the rest of the journey to North Platte is all down Hill. The return journey was with a very small load.
Apart from the APL train and the 844 assisting a stalled freight I can't think of any other steam freights with the UP steam locomotives.

There is a Utube clip somewhere with UP's Challenger, dragging a long line of double stacked containers.
Might post link later.

Edit

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XhgHrDbN4EU

That was a special run put on at the request of APL. Apart from 5 kms of compensated 1:150 grade up Archer hill the rest of the journey to North Platte is all down Hill. The return journey was with a very small load.
Apart from the APL train and the 844 assisting a stalled freight I can't think of any other steam freights with the UP steam locomotives.

There is a Utube clip somewhere with UP's Challenger, dragging a long line of double stacked containers.
Might post link later.

Edit

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XhgHrDbN4EU

That was a special run put on at the request of APL. Apart from 5 kms of compensated 1:150 grade up Archer hill the rest of the journey to North Platte is all down Hill. The return journey was with a very small load.
Apart from the APL train and the 844 assisting a stalled freight I can't think of any other steam freights with the UP steam locomotives.

From what I read over the years, when steam does go on the front of a freight there is little or no warning so not often photos. If the engine is in steam sitting at North Platte and heading to Omaha for example if there is a freight within it's capability they couple up and go. Don't forget UP steam locos have MU controls for the diesels behind.

While it is rare, it does happen.

Remember the 4000 class has a maximum tractive effort of 135,000 lbs, this is as much as the couplers will take, and a power of around 6000bhp. They will be able to pull almost any freight UP can put together and such a load will not do it any harm.

Note: the iron ore trains in the Pilbara, in northern Western Australia, require a total tractive effort of over 300,000 lbs to avoid coupler problems, 3 pairs of loco's are put throughout the length of the train.

woodford

Andre Chapelon claimed he could have increased the power of a UP 4000 to 12,000 hp but his proposed modifications were extensive. Given his success with French locomotives there is no reason to doubt this.