Western Railroad Discussion > 844 and SD40-2's On Frontier Days train

As it was mentioned... 3985 had bearing problems and had to be set out at Ft. Lupton. So we had to "settle" for the 844 and 3 SD40's. Quite a contrast from the super clean SD70M's on the last few trains.

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Here are UP SD40-2's 3494, 3368, and 3174 being added to 844 at LaSalle.

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Another one at LaSalle, CO

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Just doesn't look right with the SD40-2's

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Way to go, Pinlifter. I apreciate the timely updates on this unfortunate turn of events. UP convention lads will be disappointed that their doubleheader steam trip on July 24th won't happen. I give credit to the steam crew for giving it their best. At least the UP 844 is up to the challenge.

Still looked good. Nowadays, 3 40-2s on a train is almost a rarity in itself.
Caught it at the park in Eaton ( mp 59 ). Was doing doing 51 when it tripped the detector at mp 57.5.
Had two of the foamettes with me running low on patience ( 2+ hours waiting, daddy was living on borrowed time ) so didn't try and chase it north.

Why 3 SDs? Seems like the 844 should be able to almost handle it herself, or am I overestimating what she can haul?

Bryce

busdriver Wrote:
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> Why 3 SDs? Seems like the 844 should be able to
> almost handle it herself, or am I overestimating
> what she can haul?
>
> Bryce
>
>

Sure it can handle it, but if it breaks down..........then you gotta wait for someone else to rescue it.

I think the guys wanted as much power as they could get. The Frontier Days train runs on a pretty tight schedule, and it was a lengthy delay at Ft. Lupton. There is a grade leaving the Platte Valley out of Greeley. And as was mentioned, if the 844 develops problems it's a nice safety net.

I'm gonna second everything Colorado Zephyr said, those guys put a whale of an effort in today. They seemed to take it in stride. I think UP deserves some credit too. Getting the SDs at La Salle on short notice really helped. It was absolutely bizarre to see a UP Challenger sitting by itself on a spur in Ft. Lupton. I guess we'll wait and see what happens with 3985. But words cannot describe the show they put on this morning at Hazeltine Siding.

Pinlifter Wrote:
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> So we had to "settle" for the 844 and 3 SD40's. Quite a
> contrast from the super clean SD70M's


and the UP3494 is one of the "naked nose" units running around the system sans-nose herald. I actually like the all yellow nose look - wonder how a nice red "SP" patch would look on there? Good report, thanks for posting...