Union Pacific GP38-2s #1035 & #1045 at Albany, Oregon

On September 15, 2006, I photographed this southbound Union Pacific freight train from my car on Interstate 5 at Albany, Oregon, powered by Union Pacific 2,000-horsepower GP38-2s #1035 & #1045. These two locomotives were originally built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors as 3,000-horsepower GP40 locomotives. Union Pacific #1035 was originally built in May 1966 Seaboard Air Line #602. On July 1, 1967, the Seaboard Air Line merged with the Atlantic Coast Line to form the Seaboard Coast Line. Seaboard Air Line locomotive #602 became Seaboard Coast Line locomotives #1517. On December 29, 1982, the Seaboard Coast Line merged with the Louisville & Nashville to form the Seaboard System Railroad, and the locomotive became Seaboard System #6674. On July 1, 1986, the Seaboard System Railroad became CSX Transportation, and the locomotive became CSX #6674. Retired by CSX, the locomotive joined the VMV Enterprises lease fleet by 1988, becoming VMVX #6673. On January 19, 1989, Union Pacific leased the locomotive from Helm Financial, and the locomotive became Union Pacific #858. Union Pacific #1045 was originally built in October 1967 as New York Central #3097. On February 1, 1968, the New York Central merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad to form Penn Central, and on April 1, 1976, the Penn Central was merged into Conrail. The locomotive retained its original through these mergers to become Conrail #3097. Retired by Conrail, the locomotive became Kyle Railroad #3118 by 1988, then went to Helm Leasing as #3118. On November 21, 1989, Union Pacific leased the locomotive from Helm Financial and it became Union Pacific #874. In 1998 they were returned to Helm Financial and rebuilt by Boise Locomotive Corporation into GP38-2 locomotives, though they retained the three radiator fans of a GP40. The former Union Pacific #858 was again leased to Union Pacific as #2535 on August 14, 1998, and the former Union Pacific #874 was again leased to Union Pacific as #2545 on September 2, 1998. Union Pacific #2535 was renumbered to #1035 on August 21, 2001, and Union Pacific #2545 was renumbered to #1045 on September 15, 2001.

Willamette & Pacific GP39-2 #2313 in Lebanon, Oregon

 On September 14, 2006, on the Albany & Eastern in Lebanon, Oregon, I photographed Willamette & Pacific #2313 “Lake Oswego,” a 2,300-horsepower GP39-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in August 1974 as Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #3612. It was retired in December 1992 and was sold to the Willamette & Pacific Railroad in June 1993.

SDP40F #644 in Lebanon, Oregon

I photographed DLMX #644 on the Albany & Eastern in Lebanon, Oregon, on September 6, 2006.

This locomotive was originally built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in August 1974 as Amtrak #644, one of a total of 150 3,000-horsepower SDP40F locomotive built between June 1973 and August 1974 numbered from #500 to #649.

Between 1974 and 1976, Amtrak SDP40Fs were involved in 13 minor derailments resulting from a combination of the truck design, lateral motion from the steam generator water tanks, harmonic vibrations between the heavy locomotives and lightweight baggage cars, and track conditions. As a result, several railroads imposed speed restrictions on the SDP40Fs, and some others banned the SDP40Fs from their rails entirely.

Between 1977 and 1987 Amtrak traded in 132 of the SDP40Fs back to EMD for four-axle F40PH locomotives. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe never had any problems with them, and was willing to accept 18 SDP40Fs in trade for 25 CF7 road switchers and 8 SSB1200 switchers for use at Amtrak stations in September 1984. This locomotive was part of the trade.

In May 1985, it was repainted and renumbered to ATSF #5266 as an SDF40-2. In late 1988 the nose and pilot were modified to create at front platform with standard stepwells.

The locomotive’s maintenance was transferred to Morrison-Knudsen in April 1994. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #6976 on April 12, 1998.

After being retired in May 2002, it was painted light blue and silver for Maersk Sealand and posed with matching Norfolk Southern SD40-2 #3329 for a promotional photo shoot in late 2002.

Subsequently sold for scrap in Illinois, in 2003 it was acquired by Chris Fussell and the Northwest Rail Museum and returned to operating condition and to its original road number.

In addition to the photos, I also recorded some video footage of this locomotive in operation. This was some of my first railroad video footage.

Trains in Albany, Oregon, on August 31, 2006

I took these pictures near the depot in Albany, Oregon, on August 31, 2006.

Leading a freight train, Portland & Western #3003 is a 3,000-horsepower GP40 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in January 1967 as Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific #380. This was one of a group of seven GP40s that the Rock Island was rebuilding to Dash 2 standards in its Silvis shops when the railroad went bankrupt and shut down in 1980. Before the shutdown it was completed as GP40u #3004. The last two of the seven were unfinished. Chrome Crankshaft acquired all seven locomotives along with the shop in 1981, and finished the remaining two locomotives. The seven locomotives were sold to Toronto’s GO Transit in 1982. This locomotive became GO Transit #725. As they were not equipped with head-end power generators, they had to operate with HEP cars rebuilt from F-units. In 1994 they were retired and traded in to EMD for new F59PHs. EMD put the locomotives in their lease fleet and this locomotive became EMDX #200. In 2001, EMD transferred the locomotive to Locomotive Leasing Partners (LLPX), a partnership with GATX Leasing, and the locomotive was leased to the St. Lawrence & Atlantic as #3203. St. Lawrence & Atlantic was taken over by Genesee & Wyoming in 2002. The locomotive was transferred to the Portland & Western Railroad in April 2004, where it was considered a GP40-2, even though it lacks all the Dash 2 external spotting features like the water level sight glass, rear cab overhang, and vertical shock absorbers on the trucks. Renumbered to PNWR #3003 in mid-2005, it still wears its St. Lawrence & Atlantic yellow and black paint scheme.

Next, Willamette & Pacific #1852 was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in May 1955 as Southern Pacific #5438, a 1,750-horsepower SD9 that was placed in service on May 24, 1955. After the 1965 system renumbering, it became Southern Pacific #3916. On January 9, 1975, it was rebuilt by Southern Pacific’s Sacramento Shops to SD9E #4397. It was retired on November 12, 1993, and sold on March 4, 1994, to the Willamette and Pacific Railroad where it became #1852.

Trailing, Portland & Western #3603 was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in January 1970 as St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt) #9153, a 3,600-horsepower SD45 that was placed in service on January 4, 1970. On January 15, 1985, it was upgraded by Southern Pacific’s Sacramento Shops to Southern Pacific SD45R #7537. It was retired on sold on July 31, 1995, to Helm Financial Corporation and became HLCX #450. In 1996 it was sold to the Buffalo & Pittsburgh, part of the Genesee & Wyoming system, retaining the road number #450. It was transferred to the Illinois & Midland, another Genesee & Wyoming railroad, in 2001 or 2002, still numbered #450, then transferred again to the Portland & Western Railroad in April 2005, being renumbered to #3603.

There was also a pair of Union Pacific SD40-2s near the Albany depot.

Union Pacific #3160 is a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in February 1972.

Union Pacific #3380 is a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in April 1977.

This unit still had its red sill stripe, while on the other SD40-2, the sill stripe had been changed to yellow in accordance with a Federal Railroad Administration ruling from March 5, 2005, that required yellow or white reflective striping 42 inches above the rail by May 31, 2010.

After leaving Albany, I spotted this specially-decorated truck trailer heading north on Interstate 5. Carrying the slogan "TRACKS ARE FOR TRAINS! STAY OFF! STAY AWAY! STAY ALIVE!", this trailer #538717 was sponsored by Washington Operation Lifesaver, Washington Utilites and Transporation Commission, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and Union Pacific Railroad, and the trailer was donated by Interstate Distributor Company.

Union Pacific GP38-2s #1035 & #1034 at Albany, Oregon, on August 22, 2006

On August 22, 2006, I photographed this southbound Union Pacific freight train from my car on Interstate 5 at Albany, Oregon, powered by Union Pacific 2,000-horsepower GP38-2s #1035 & #1034. These two locomotives were originally built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in May 1966 as 3,000-horsepower GP40 locomotives for the Seaboard Air Line. Union Pacific #1035 was originally Seaboard Air Line #602 and Union Pacific #1034 was originally Seaboard Air Line #613. On July 1, 1967, the Seaboard Air Line merged with the Atlantic Coast Line to form the Seaboard Coast Line. Seaboard Air Line locomotives #602 & #613 became Seaboard Coast Line locomotives #1517 & #1528. On December 29, 1982, the Seaboard Coast Line merged with the Louisville & Nashville to form the Seaboard System Railroad, and the locomotives became Seaboard System #6674 & #6684. On July 1, 1986, the Seaboard System Railroad became CSX Transportation, and the locomotives became CSX #6674 & #6684. Retired by CSX, the locomotives joined the VMV Enterprises lease fleet by 1988, becoming VMVX #6673 and #6684. On January 19, 1989, Union Pacific leased the locomotives as part of a group of 34 from Helm Financial, and these two locomotives became Union Pacific #858 & #857. In 1998 they were returned to Helm Financial and rebuilt by Boise Locomotive Corporation into GP38-2 locomotives, though they retain the three radiator fans of a GP40. The former Union Pacific #857 was again leased to Union Pacific as #2534 on July 30, 1998, and the former Union Pacific #858 was again leased to Union Pacific as #2535 on August 14, 1998. Union Pacific #2534 was renumbered to #1034 on July 27, 2001, and Union Pacific #2535 was renumbered to #1035 on August 21, 2001.

Union Pacific Freight Train at Albany, Oregon, on August 16, 2006

On August 16, 2006, I photographed this southbound Union Pacific freight train from my car on Interstate 5 at Albany, Oregon, led by Union Pacific #5304, a 4,400-horsepower ES44AC that was built by General Electric and delivered on May 30, 2006. Union Pacific gives its ES44AC locomotives the designation C45ACCTE. The second locomotive is Union Pacific #4291, a 4,000-horsepower SD70M that was assembled for the General Motors Locomotive Group by Bombardier in Mexico in January 2001 and was delivered on January 17, 2001.

Albany & Eastern #3859

Albany & Eastern #3859 was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in February 1959 as 1,750-horsepower GP9 #456 for the Texas & New Orleans, a subsidiary of Southern Pacific.

After the 1965 system renumbering, it became Southern Pacific #3660.

On January 9, 1978, it was upgraded by Southern Pacific’s Sacramento Shops as GP9R #3859.

It was retired on February 20, 1991, and was sold on February 5, 1992 to the Willamette Valley Railway.

It was later leased to the Albany & Eastern, which purchased it in 1999.

Union Pacific SD40-2 #3598 in Salem, Oregon, on August 13, 2006

On the evening of August 13, 2006, in my car at the Union Pacific grade crossing on SE Madrona Avenue in Salem, Oregon, I took this picture of Union Pacific #3598, a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in August 1979 as Union Pacific #8089. This locomotive was originally one of Union Pacific’s “Fast Forties” with high-speed gearing for a top speed of 80 miles per hour. It was converted to standard gearing and renumbered to Union Pacific #3598 in September 1981. The light from my car’s headlights shows the reflective properties of the red striping and lettering.

Union Pacific SD70M #4870 in Albany, Oregon, on August 7, 2006

On August 7, 2006, I photographed this southbound Union Pacific freight train from my car on Interstate 5 at Albany, Oregon, led by Union Pacific #4870, a 4,000-horsepower SD70M that was assembled for the General Motors Locomotive Group by Bombardier in Mexico in January 2002 and was delivered on February 6, 2002.

Trains in Albany, Oregon, in June & July 2006

I took these train pictures from my car on Interstate 5 at Albany, Oregon, in mid-late June and early July of 2006.

First, on June 14, 2006, I photographed this southbound Union Pacific freight train. The trailing locomotive is Union Pacific #5685, a 4,400-horsepower AC4400CW that Union Pacific designates as a C44ACCTE. It was built by General Electric in December 2004 and delivered on December 26, 2004.

Later on June 14, 2006, I photographed Amtrak’s southbound Coast Starlight, powered by Amtrak #115 & #119, a pair of 4,250-horsepower P42DC locomotives that were built by General Electric in September 1997.

Further up Interstate 5, I also photographed these Union Pacific locomotives on a freight train. Union Pacific #5853 is a 4,400-horsepower AC4400CW that Union Pacific designates as a C44ACCTE. It was built by General Electric in March 2002 and was delivered on April 2, 2002. Union Pacific #5486 is another 4,400-horsepower AC4400CW that Union Pacific designates as a C44ACCTE. It was built by General Electric in May 2005 and was delivered on June 3, 2005. Union Pacific #9675 is a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in December 1993 as Chicago & North Western #8611. After the Chicago & North Western was merged into the Union Pacific on April 24, 1995, this locomotive became Union Pacific #9675 on July 21, 1999.

On June 15, 2006, I photographed Union Pacific #5763 leading a southbound freight train. It is a 4,400-horsepower AC4400CW that Union Pacific designates as a C44ACCTE. It was built by General Electric in March 2001 and was delivered on March 27, 2001.

Just down Interstate 5, I photographed another southbound freight train, with an unknown Union Pacific SD40-2 leading Union Pacific #9209, a 4,000-horsepower Dash 8-40C that was built by General Electric in September 1988.

Later that same day, I photographed the first southbound freight train again, with Union Pacific #5763 still leading. The second locomotive is Union Pacific #5250, a 4,400-horsepower ES44AC that was built by General Electric in February 2006 and was delivered on March 1, 2006. Union Pacific gives its ES44AC locomotives the designation C45ACCTE. The third locomotive is Union Pacific #5687, a 4,400-horsepower AC4400CW that Union Pacific designates as a C44ACCTE. It was built by General Electric in December 2004 and was delivered on December 29, 2004.

On June 21, 2006, I photographed this southbound Union Pacific freight train, led by an unknown Union Pacific 4,400-horsepower GE AC4400CW followed by a 4,000-horsepower EMD SD70M, two 4,000-horsepower GE Dash 8-40Cs and two 3,800-horsepower EMD SD60Ms.

On June 30, 2006, I photographed this southbound Union Pacific freight train with an unknown Union Pacific General Electric locomotive leading five additional units.

On July 3, 2006, I photographed this southbound Union Pacific freight train powered by at least five locomotives, one of which appears to be wearing the orange and green paint scheme of Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

On July 5, 2006, I photographed this northbound Union Pacific intermodal train with an unknown Union Pacific 4,300-horsepower EMD SD70ACe leading an unknown Union Pacific 4,000-horsepower EMD SD70M.

On July 7, 2006, I photographed this southbound Union Pacific freight train led by what appears to be Union Pacific #4506, which was a 4,000-horsepower SD70M assembled for the General Motors Locomotive Group by Bombardier in Mexico and was delivered on November 27, 2001.

On July 11, 2006, I photographed these two southbound Union Pacific freight trains. The closer train is led by an unknown Union Pacific 4,000-horsepower EMD SD70M. The second unit is Union Pacific (UPY) #2310, a 2000-horsepower GG20GE battery diesel hybrid locomotive that was built by Motive Power Industries using the frame of Union Pacific #262, a retired 3,000-horsepower B30-7A locomotive that was built by General Electric in March 1980 as Cotton Belt (SSW) #7776. The Cotton Belt was a subsidiary of the Southern Pacific. After the Southern Pacific merged into the Union Pacific on September 11, 1996, SSW #7776 became Union Pacific #262 on June 7, 1997. It was first retired on December 19, 2001, then permanently retired on February 28, 2005, for its frame to be used for UPY #2310, which was delivered on June 3, 2006. The third locomotive is Union Pacific #5768, a 4,400-horsepower AC4400CW that Union Pacific designates as a C44ACCTE. It was built by General Electric in March 2001 and was delivered on March 27, 2001. The fourth locomotive is Union Pacific #9752, a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in January 1994 as Chicago & North Western #8648. After the Chicago & North Western was merged into the Union Pacific on April 24, 1995, this locomotive became Union Pacific #9752 on April 12, 2000.

Union Pacific Freight Trains at Albany, Oregon, in Early June 2006

I took these pictures of Union Pacific freight trains from my car on Interstate 5 at Albany, Oregon, in early June 2006. First, on June 1, 2006, I photographed this northbound freight train led by Union Pacific #5359, a 4,400-horsepower ES44AC that was built by General Electric in January 2005 and delivered on February 3, 2005. Union Pacific gives its ES44AC locomotives the designation C45ACCTE. The second locomotive is Union Pacific #3929, a 4,000-horsepower SD70M that was built by the General Motors Locomotive Group in London, Ontario, and was delivered on June 28, 2003.

On June 7, 2006, I photographed this southbound freight train. The trailing locomotive is Union Pacific #9859, a 3,500-horsepower SD50 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in September 1984 as Denver & Rio Grande Western #5515. The Rio Grande merged with the Southern Pacific in 1988. After the Southern Pacific merged into the Union Pacific on September 11, 1996, this locomotive became Union Pacific #5109 on October 3, 2001, and was renumbered to Union Pacific #9859 on September 18, 2002, though it still wore its original Denver & Rio Grande paint scheme with just an Armour Yellow patch over the road number. Also noteworthy is the first car in the train, which is a Chicago & North Western boxcar. The Chicago & North Western was merged into the Union Pacific on April 24, 1995.

Later on June 7, 2006, I photographed this southbound freight train, led by Union Pacific #5501, a 4,400-horsepower ES44AC that was built by General Electric in June 2005 and was delivered on June 22, 2005. Union Pacific gives its ES44AC locomotives the designation C45ACCTE. It is followed by Union Pacific #8389, a 4,300-horsepower SD70ACe that was built by Electro-Motive Diesel in May 2005 and was delivered on June 3, 2005.

Alstom GCFX SD40 #3071 at Albany, Oregon, on May 17, 2006

I photographed this southbound Union Pacific freight train from my car on Interstate 5 near Albany, Oregon, on May 17, 2006. The only locomotive with a visible road number is Alstom Canada (GCFX) #3071, a 3,000-horsepower SD40 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in June 1970 as Kansas City Southern #624. By 1987, it had been retired and acquired by the Soo Line Railroad and renumbered to #6402. While the Soo Line was absorbed into its parent company Canadian Pacific in 1990, this locomotive remained in Soo Line’s candy apple red paint scheme when it was retired and became part of National Railway Equipment’s lease fleet as NREX #6402. By 2003 it had been acquired by Alstom Canada for lease service as GCFX #3071 and painted gray as it appears here.

Trains on May 13, 2006

I took these train pictures on May 13, 2006. First, I photographed this southbound Union Pacific freight train near the undercrossing of Portland Road NE in Salem, Oregon. Union Pacific #3576 is a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in July 1979.

I photographed this pair of locomotives from my car as I passed Willbridge Yard on NW St. Helens Road in Portland, Oregon. Burlington Northern Santa Fe #8733 is a 3,800-horsepower GP60 that was built by the General Motors Locomotive Group in London, Ontario, in August 1989 as Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #4033. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #8733 on November 19, 1998. Burlington Northern Santa Fe #8632 is a 4,000-horsepower Dash 8-40B that was built by General Electric in April 1989 as Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #7442. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #8632 on February 22, 2000, and was repainted in Burlington Northern Santa Fe's "Heritage I" paint scheme on January 21, 2001.

I took this picture from my car on U.S. Highway 30 in Saint Helens, Oregon. Portland & Western #3006 is a 3,000-horsepower GP40 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in January 1967 as Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific #375. This was one of a group of seven GP40s that the Rock Island was rebuilding to Dash 2 standards in its Silvis shops when the railroad went bankrupt and shut down in 1980. Before the shutdown it was completed as GP40u #3002. The last two of the seven were unfinished. Chrome Crankshaft acquired all seven locomotives along with the shop in 1981, and finished the remaining two locomotives. The seven locomotives were sold to Toronto’s GO Transit in 1982. This locomotive became GO Transit #721. As they were not equipped with head-end power generators, they had to operate with HEP cars rebuilt from F-units. In 1994 they were retired and traded in to EMD for new F59PHs. EMD put the locomotives in their lease fleet and this locomotive became EMDX #205. In 2001, EMD transferred the locomotive to Locomotive Leasing Partners (LLPX), a partnership with GATX Leasing, and the locomotive was leased to the St. Lawrence & Atlantic as #3208. St. Lawrence & Atlantic was taken over by Genesee & Wyoming in 2002. The locomotive was transferred to the Portland & Western Railroad in April 2004, where it was considered a GP40-2, even though it lacks all the Dash 2 external spotting features like the water level sight glass, rear cab overhang, and vertical shock absorbers on the trucks. Renumbered to PNWR #3006 in mid-2005, it still wears its St. Lawrence & Atlantic yellow and black paint scheme.

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.