Western Railroad Discussion > UP 4332 now UP 1979

Hi  everyone word is the   UP 4332 (SD70M), renumbered on 1/12/21 to UP 1979  and is now in  a    special paint  job.   Is there   any significance  to the number 1979  in the    History  of UP?  

Do you have a picture of UP 1979? I haven't heard anything about them doing another specially painted locomotive. 

1979 is being painted in a "We Are One" workplace inclusion paint scheme. This image comes from a video released publicly by UP.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/19/21 04:43 by j6677.

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CSXQ090FAN Wrote:
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> Hi  everyone word is the   UP 4332 (SD70M),
> renumbered on 1/12/21 to UP 1979  and is now in 
> a    special paint  job.   Is there   any
> significance  to the number 1979  in the 
>   History  of UP?  

Numbered for the year of the first gay and lesbians rights march on Washington DC.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/19/21 05:39 by NWrailfan.

Maybe I am wrong in my thought here but with all of UP's operational problems, and PSR bulls##t and with many employees layed off for no better reason then corprate greed does UP really need another special painted engine?
As a fan I know it can be boring trackside watching nothing but a sea of the same yellow engines and the heritage units are a nice treat to photograph but when is enough enough? I guess I got really disgusted with the heritage program when they unveiled the 1111 "powered by our people" unit right after announcing massive layoff's.
Again this my opinion,what do you guys think?
JC

Posted from Android

JasonCNW Wrote:
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> Maybe I am wrong in my thought here but with all
> of UP's operational problems, and PSR bulls##t and
> with many employees layed off for no better reason
> then corprate greed does UP really need another
> special painted engine?
> As a fan I know it can be boring trackside
> watching nothing but a sea of the same yellow
> engines and the heritage units are a nice treat to
> photograph but when is enough enough? I guess I
> got really disgusted with the heritage program
> when they unveiled the 1111 "powered by our
> people" unit right after announcing massive
> layoff's.
> Again this my opinion,what do you guys think?
> JC
>
> Posted from Android

Agreed! 

JasonCNW Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Maybe I am wrong in my thought here but with all
> of UP's operational problems, and PSR bulls##t and
> with many employees layed off for no better reason
> then corprate greed does UP really need another
> special painted engine?
> As a fan I know it can be boring trackside

As a former PR professional, I think you may be confusing railfan reaction with public reaction.
In reality, the railfan community is somewhat small compared to the overall public.
The vast majority of the population doesn't give a rat's backside about PSR, operational problems etc.
They will see this as a major corporate entity showing that it is socially conscious and inclusive. That will give UP a big PR boost.

And no, I am NOT saying PSR etc are good things ..

 

Will MacKenzie
Dundas, ON

Most people don't pay attention to trains unless they are blocking a crossing.  

 

The "woke" locomotive

Posted from Android

The locomotive was probably scheduled to be repainted after overhaul.  And I'm sure UP along with many other roads has a group of designs going forward.   It's not a problem for the general public, just 'foamers' - not ordinary railfans.  
While I don't particularly like the UP 1111 scheme, I'll make a point to shoot it if it comes my way, as I will with 1979.   

The renumbering is convenient because UPY will be most likely added shortly.

Out 

Found some info:
https://www.up.com/aboutup/corporate_info/diversity/supportingdiversity/index.htm

The Black Employee Network (BEN) at Union Pacific Railroad began in Omaha in 1979 with five employees. Membership has grown to more than 700, with BEN chapters in St. Louis, North Little Rock, Kansas City, Memphis, Los Angeles, Fort Worth, Houston, Omaha, Chicago and Addis, Louisiana.

Also the meanings:
https://www.up.com/aboutup/corporate_info/diversity/employee-resource-groups/index.htm

SouthWest RailCams
CA, NM, CO, TX, AZ
https://SouthWestRailCams.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/19/21 10:16 by RailFanAZ.

Drone_Pilot_Mike Wrote:
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> The "woke" locomotive
>
> Posted from Android


Trainorders doesn't have a like button but if it did I'd have used it here...

If you're going to do a "Special Paint" locomotive at least use something that might have a life out on the mainline. By and large
the SD70M fleet is lease return material! 

callum_out Wrote:
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> If you're going to do a "Special Paint" locomotive
> at least use something that might have a life out
> on the mainline. By and large
> the SD70M fleet is lease return material! 

Don't forget, if I recall correctly, the UP SD70Ms can't lead if DPU(s) is/are needed, correct?

SouthWest RailCams
CA, NM, CO, TX, AZ
https://SouthWestRailCams.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/19/21 14:16 by RailFanAZ.

RailFanAZ Wrote:
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> callum_out Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > If you're going to do a "Special Paint"
> locomotive
> > at least use something that might have a life
> out
> > on the mainline. By and large
> > the SD70M fleet is lease return material! 
>
> Don't forget, if I recall correctly, the UP SD70Ms
> can't lead if DPU(s) is/are needed, correct?
Correct, no SD70M is DPU equipped.

Posted from Android

any word on when this locomotive will be released for use on the road?

RailFanAZ Wrote:
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> Don't forget, if I recall correctly, the UP SD70Ms
> can't lead if DPU(s) is/are needed, correct?

Saw a SD70M-led stacker recently, and needed the services of manned helpers from Indio to climb to Beaumont. 2nd unit was an SD70ACe, but I guess the departure terminal didn't want to change the consist order - not a surprise in the PSR era.

Drone_Pilot_Mike Wrote:
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> The "woke" locomotive

If you think about the comments made by callum_out that SD70M is "lease-end" material, and also the fact that it's not DPU-capable where chances of it leading a train (for "publicity") is smaller than other main line locomotives like GEs and SD70ACes, it makes me wonder if this was done on purpose, that this is a short term PR fad?

Don't dismiss the idea that UP management is THAT cynical. Otherwise, they should have repainted a newer locomotive - for example, C44ACs and C6044ACs are being repainted in recent years, and they are perfect candidates for UP 1979.

This is not just a unit dedicated to Black UP employees. It’s all inclusive. It honors Gay rights as well. The significance of the unit being numbered 1979. On October 14th, 1979 there was a massive march in Washington, DC in support of Gay rights. That’s why you see the rainbow colors on the ONE lettering. There are other groups being honored as well.

Valleyman