Western Railroad Discussion > UP's Gray UPY 105 CCRCL Visits CO from Houston, TX

UP's Gray UPY 105 CCRCL Visits CO from Houston, TX

Union Pacific moved a gray with minimum UP lettering control car remote control locomotive into the Denver switch yards in early October 2003. It was noted at 36th Yard, Denver, the week of Oct 6-10th. The UPY 105 moved to Denver’s North Yard on October 10, 2003. The unit is now considered an RB30-7B. Originally it was a General Electric model B30-7, part of Southern Pacific’s 102-unit SP/SSW 7774 – 7883 series. The UP’s RB30-7B program evolved in July 2003. Only six units to date have emerged from the program. The all gray UPY 105 stands out in its rather unique paint scheme. It has no fuel tank. Three of the four front windows are painted gray. The only usable front window is the conductors’ side door. The unit was expected to be returned to Houston, TX, later in October.

CCRCL stands for Control Car Remote Control Locomotive -- and the idea is that this unit contains the remote control capability while being coupled to another unit not so equipped. This allows other units that have not been equipped with RCL to be capable of being remotely controlled.

The CCRCL is basically a trailer -- the units converted are GE B23-7 & B30-7s that have had their traction motors and fuel tanks removed. Reportedly their prime movers are still in place (the exhaust stack is still there as well).

The numbering starts with UPY 105. They are painted UP grey overall with red scothlight frame stripes and cab numbers. Red barricade stripes are at the lower portions of the nose and rear of the hood. There is a UP shield at the top of the nose.

The cab roof has twin yellow beacons on either side.

Cab windows, except for door and side windows are plated over. Control stand apparatus is removed and plated over but the cabinet is in place along with emergency air brake. The remote control electronics/cabinet is located on the back of the cab. (Thanks to Sean Graham-White for CCRCL info)

They run from UPY 105 thru UPY 117 as of 9/30/03.