Western Railroad Discussion > Number oddity on the UP

Back in 1995 when Southern Pacific received their new AC4400CW's, the first 100 engines (numbered 100-199) were delivered without any Distributed Power equipment. The next 179 engines (numbered 200-378) came equipped with DPU capabilities. After the UP merger, the group of non-DPU, ex-SP engines were slated to be numbered as the Union Pacific 6148-6247. A number series that was being vacated by Union Pacific SD60m's that were themselves being renumbered as the UP 2240-2520. The 2000 number series was held by various models including ex-MOP GP38-2's and remanufactured GP38-2's and GP38-3's that were being renumbered into number slots in the 700-1000 number series to make room for the SD60m's.
If this wasn't confusing enough, some of the engines that were ready to be renumbered could not go into their designated slot because it was still held by a engine from a different model that had not been renumbered yet! They were just given another number that was close to what is was supposed to be. So the resulting renumbering scheme sometimes looks like a jumbled up mess!

That brings us to today's engine, the UP 6170. It was delivered as the SP 353 in August of 1995 and when it was ready to be renumbered into its proper slot somewhere in the high 6300, low 6400 number series with the other DPU equipped ex-SP AC's, the number that it was supposed to be assigned was still held by a SD60M so it was thrown into the 6100 number series with the non-DPU engines.

Long story short, out of the 52 General Electric AC's in the 6100 number series, the UP 6170 is the only one to have DPU equipment and a number that it really shouldn't have. WHEW:}

Today, the UP 6170 led Eastbound loaded coal train CWEDC-03 (Coal-West Elk Mine, CO-E. St. Louis, IL) out of Denver on the old KP line.

1)With the train strung out behind (maybe you can see the DPU on the rear:}) 6170 is seen at Strasburg, CO.

2)A view of the head-end power with the old Strasburg depot and caboose on display in the background.

3)Another view of the 6170 pulling out of the sag and past the Grain elevator at Byers.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/06/14 06:47 by SP8595.

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Great pictures.....n you have a lot of free time.

Great series, really like #s 1 and 2. Thanks for sharing the shots and information.

~Ryan

Great shots and interesting background. This morning was definitely one of my favorite kinds here in Colorado! A few inches of snow overnight followed by a bright sunny morning a frost everywhere.

Kevin Morgan
Arvada, CO
ColoradoRailfan.com

Awesome photos!! I really love #'s 1 & 2. The depot & barns really sets the mood. Beautiful. Thanks for showing & for the info.

Ronda Thomas



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/05/14 15:30 by oklachaser.

SUPER pics!!!

Awesome shots---#3 sure does say KP. Great light and thanks for the look.
Brian Stevens

Sweet shots! I sometimes wonder why UP didn't just let the SP AC4400's keep their original numbers. Would have saved UP a bunch of renumbering trouble.

Loved the unit history! A number mess indeed!!!