Nostalgia & History > GP35 - DD35B demo tour

Back in the early sixties EMD sent out a GP35-DD35B demo team. We know that both the SP and the UP purchased these units. Who else tested this immense dynamic duo package? Actual emo consist was GP35-DD35B-DD35B-GP35.

John Gezelius
Tustin, CA

For sure on the CB&Q:

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,2088228,2088228#2088228

They probably toured on the IC after the 1963 Chicago Railroad Fair wound down, as well.

Bob

ATSF100WEST......Out

The DRGW would be a logical candidate as well: They had some FT power that needed replacing and the turbo on the -35 series would have improved operation at higher altitudes. The 2,500 hp from each prime mover would have resulted in either higher speeds or simple unit reduction. Wonder if they ever tried them? ATSF might be another candidate.

John Gezelius
Tustin, CA

They were at the UP in Commerce on Jan 12, 1964.

john1082 Wrote:

> Back in the early sixties EMD sent out a
> GP35-DD35B demo team. We know that both the SP
> and the UP purchased these units. Who else tested
> this immense dynamic duo package? Actual emo
> consist was GP35-DD35B-DD35B-GP35.

Jack Wheelihan had a column in an old CTC Board some years ago talking about the DD35's demo tour on the New York Central. The NYC of the early 60's was in no position to buy locomotives like this, but the demonstrators amounted to "free horsepower," which they were eager to exploit. He had several amusing anecdotes - trying to keep the service folks from putting NYC's rotgut crankcase oil in the demos, the broken rail the DD's caused except that they didn't, etc.

I saw a photo once of a PRR GP35 leading DD35s on PRR track, but don't remember if they were UP's or Demos.

Dave

As I recall the Pennsy borrowed a DD from the UP to check out the 4 axle truck, for a D-D electric they were dreaming of.
SZ