Union Pacific Freight Trains in Albany, Oregon, in Early May 2006

I took these pictures of Union Pacific freight trains from my car on Interstate 5 at Albany, Oregon. First, on May 3, 2006, is this southbound train led by Union Pacific #4635, a 4,000-horsepower SD70M that was built by the General Motors Locomotive Group in London, Ontario, in December 2000. This was one of five pre-production prototypes for EPA Tier I SD70M locomotives, featuring larger flared radiators to accommodate separate radiator cores for diesel engine jacket water and for aftercoolers. Locomotives 4635-4637 were retained by GMLG as test units throughout 2001 and part of 2002 before being delivered to Union Pacific in July 2002. This locomotive was delivered on July 27, 2002. This train’s second unit is CIT Group (CEFX) #7097, a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in November 1978 as Burlington Northern #7097. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #7097. It was acquired by CIT Group by 2003. The third locomotive is Union Pacific #4366, a 4,000-horsepower SD70M that was assembled for the General Motors Locomotive Group by Bombardier in Mexico and was delivered on May 16, 2001.

On May 8, 2006, I photographed this southbound train powered by a pair of Union Pacific 4,000-horsepower SD70Ms. The road number of the lead unit is not visible, but the trailing unit is #4703, which was built by the General Motors Locomotive Group in London, Ontario, and was delivered on October 2, 2001.

I photographed this southbound train on May 10, 2006. The number of the lead locomotive is not clear, but it is a 4,000-horsepower Union Pacific SD70M. The second locomotive is Union Pacific #4241, another 4,000-horsepower SD70M that was assembled by Bombardier in Mexico for the General Motors Locomotive Group in October 2000 and was delivered on October 19, 2000. The third locomotive is Union Pacific #9219, a 4,000-horsepower Dash 8-40C that was built by General Electric in September 1988.

Trains in Kalama, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, in December 2001

My dad, Cliff West, and I took these pictures in December 2001. First, we spotted this pair of lease units in Kalama, Washington, on our way to Portland, Oregon.

CEFX #113 is a 4,300-horsepower SD9043MAC that was built by the General Motors Locomotive Group and assembled at Super Steel Schenectady, Inc. in Schenectady, New York, in November 1999 for CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc. for lease service.

CEFX #110 is also a 4,300-horsepower SD9043MAC that was built by the General Motors Locomotive Group and assembled at Super Steel Schenectady, Inc. in Schenectady, New York, in November 1999 for CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc. for lease service.

We continued on to Union Pacific’s Albina Yard in Portland, Oregon, where we found another of these lease units among the Union Pacific locomotives.

Photo by Cliff West

CEFX #117 is a 4,300-horsepower SD9043MAC that was built by the General Motors Locomotive Group and assembled at Super Steel Schenectady, Inc. in Schenectady, New York, in December 1999 for CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc. for lease service.

Photo by Cliff West

Photo by Cliff West

Photo by Cliff West

Union Pacific #1166 and #1198 are 1,500-horsepower SW1500s that were built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors as Southern Pacific #2597 & #2654 in October 1971 and May 1972 respectively. After the Southern Pacific was merged into the Union Pacific on September 11, 1996, they became Union Pacific #1166 on March 25, 1997, and Union Pacific #1198 on April 4, 1997.

Union Pacific #4593 is a 4,000-horsepower SD70M that was built by the General Motors Locomotive Group in London, Ontario, in April 2001.

Finally, as the sun began to set and the light began to disappear, a surprise revealed itself in the back of the engine terminal. Unfortunately for me, this was the last frame on the roll of film in my camera, but fortunately my dad was there to take his own pictures.

Photo by Cliff West

Union Pacific #4526 is a 4,000-horsepower SD70M that was built by the General Motors Locomotive Group in London, Ontario, in October 2001. Along with sister units #4527 and #4528, this was one of the first three Union Pacific locomotives to receive the large American flag decals and the new “Building America” slogan following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Photo by Cliff West

The three units entered service on November 14, 2001, and were unveiled on November 16, 2001. At the time of this photo, they were still the only three “flag” units on the Union Pacific, making this surprise sighting an incredible stroke of luck. Additional “flag” units would begin to be delivered in January 2002, featuring a slightly different flag decal from that used on these first three units.