Steam & Excursion > UP 2-10-2 #5511 reveals her inner secrets!

In 1975 we toured the Cheyenne roundhouse with no permission necessary, shop people were friendly and said we could climb on loco,s as long as we were carefull. Most people would go to the 844 or 3985 but I was drawn to UP,s last 2-10-2 #5511. How this engine survived is a wonder to me. Its rarly mentioned and survives in the shadows of its more famous siblings. However this day it was the star to me as I was drawn into the cab, firebox door was open and for a split second her inner boiler was illuminated showing oil from the burner still waiting for a warm fire. Today I wish they would bring it outside for a photo shoot with the others. Guess which one I go to first. Thank,s for the memories1   

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Sadly, it's every bit as operable as the rest of the YewPee steam fleet...

S_W

Maybe more so.

Cool!

Yes, it is a true shame that the 5511 may "see service" way before the 844, 3985, & 4014 ... but then I suspect some current management will probably focus also on the 5511 to take it out of contention .... what else are steam shops for except to convert once active and functional steam locomotives into true relicts of history ...

Odyssey
Evergreen, CO

Back in the late '70s the foreman at the Cheyenne roundhouse told me that 5511's last service was as a stationary boiler at Ogden, then it was drug to Green River and used as a stationary boiler there. This would have been sometime in the mid-to-late '50s.

Stationary boiler use was pretty hard on locomotive boilers. Many old locos spent their last days supplying steam to roundhouses, for customers at their facilities, and even for thawing coal and ore loads. The next assignment was almost always with a cutting torch.

With all the time you spent there Realist, you never actually assessed her condition? Surely it must have intrigued you?

Posted from iPhone

Finderskeepers Wrote:
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> With all the time you spent there Realist, you
> never actually assessed her condition? Surely it
> must have intrigued you?
>
> Posted from iPhone

Very funny.  

To me UP 5511 is unique, she is a historical class act so typical to Union Pacific of the 1920's. She belongs to "the days before Northerns, the days before Challengers, the days before Big Boy." I know about the small drivers and small tender, I think it could be used to go Denver or Laramie. You won't want to take it to California or anything, that being said the 844 is no longer the speed queen she used to be and 5511 would be faster than the 4014 move. Plus it probably be easier to restore than the 4014.

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/08/15 11:45 by badtanker1987.

badtanker1987 Wrote:
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> You won't want to take it to California or
> anything, that being said the 844 is no longer the
> speed queen she used to be
>
> Posted from Android

....Huh?

Haven't the piston rods been torch cut on that engine?

Palhoghead Wrote:
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> Haven't the piston rods been torch cut on that
> engine?

Yes.

NathanNon-Lifting Wrote:
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> badtanker1987 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You won't want to take it to California or
> > anything, that being said the 844 is no longer
> the
> > speed queen she used to be
> >
> > Posted from Android
>
> ....Huh?

Only because the current leader and his forman get a nosebleed at
anything over 55 mph.

Which would be perfect in this case, since UP always restricted
2-10-2s to 50 mph maximum, anyway.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/05/15 14:29 by Realist.

HotWater Wrote:
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> Palhoghead Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Haven't the piston rods been torch cut on that
> > engine?
>
> Yes.

Piston rods aren't any kind of a deal-breaker.

Posted from iPhone

Realist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NathanNon-Lifting Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > badtanker1987 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > You won't want to take it to California or
> > > anything, that being said the 844 is no
> longer
> > the
> > > speed queen she used to be
> > >
> > > Posted from Android
> >
> > ....Huh?
>
> Only because the current leader and his forman get
> a nosebleed at
> anything over 55 mph.
>
> Which would be perfect in this case, since UP
> always restricted
> 2-10-2s to 50 mph maximum, anyway.

They would be the perfect engine crew for Amtrak 3/4 between ABQ and Kingman with a conductor who everyone calls Milk Money!