Nostalgia & History > 5 UP C630's on a train @ Laramie 1966

5 UP Alco C630's westbound @Laramie, WY on Sept. 25, 1966 ... another one of those always interesting lash-ups that the UP assembled years ago. By Bruce Black.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/15 12:15 by valmont.

---

Isn't that half the fleet?  Good catch as there aren't a lot of shots of these engines in service on the
UP, especially in pure lashups.

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/15 08:44 by ntharalson.

Wonder how many were still working when they got to Ogden.

Looks like symbol FMS (Forwarder Merchandise Special) en route to the SP. The same train likely was hauled by SP's 6-axle Centuries over Donner.

Best regards,

Rob L.

This one fits the category of "holy smokes".  Both figuratively and literally.

Thanks much for sharing this!

Lee Hower - Sacramento

Yes that was half of the fleet right there. What a great shot. Saw them a couple times here in the LA Basin, but never more than one in a consist. Also working the hump at NP. That had to sound awesome upon the departure and on any heavy gradient. Thanks for sharing that one V!

KC

GRNDMND Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes that was half of the fleet right there. What a
> great shot. Saw them a couple times here in the LA
> Basin, but never more than one in a consist. Also
> working the hump at NP. That had to sound awesome
> upon the departure and on any heavy gradient.
> Thanks for sharing that one V!
>
> KC

Not even close to what Black got, but I managed to get 2 of the 630's alone on a train, took this on Aug. 11, 1969. I posted this same shot a few years ago and there was quite a bit of discussion as to where it was taken since I didn't note it on the mount. The conclusion was that it was at Clarks, NE which is between Grand Island and Columbus.

---

Anyone even half-way versed in Physics, and especially any science fiction fan worth his salt will know what the term "parallel universe" is about. If there was ever a book done about a [so-called] parallel railfan universe, THIS would be the cover shot! How can a photograph look so familiar, yet so foreign at the same time?? Vince, with Bruce's shot you have posted yet another remarkable & tantalizing slice of RR history a lot of us grew up on.
Kudos!!! (that means don't ever stop... ;^)

Lance



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/15 11:04 by santafe199.

> Wonder how many were still working when they got
> to Ogden.

I saw the photo before I scrolled to read your comment, and you took the words right out of my mouth.

Those 5 puppies are pretty darn dirty for as young as they are! === === = === JLH

Almost fell off my chair when I saw that first photo.  Always interested in shots of UP C630's but never saw one of more than 2 on one train.  Awesome!
Steve B.

A bit rare units on the UP but even more rare that the UP put that many like units in the same consist--they look great and hope you have more like this in the future.  I am sure they looked and sounded great struggling up a grade. Looks like a great action shot, and the train isn't even moving.  Thanks for sharing this.
Brian Stevens

Two show-stopping photos!  In the first, the Alco motors are too classic, and nice to have a GP30 in the scene as well.  Is it the sun angle, or do the GP30's trucks appear a little unusual?  And in the Nebraska shot, any idea what the gray oversized load is right behind the power?  Thanks for the great photos.

Rich

Seventyfive Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Two show-stopping photos!  In the first, the Alco
> motors are too classic, and nice to have a GP30 in
> the scene as well.  Is it the sun angle, or do
> the GP30's trucks appear a little unusual?  

Normal UP clean, silver Blomberg trucks.

Perhaps the Centuries were so dirty because before this run they had been trailing behind turbines, LOL.

Best regards,

Rob L.

Great photo, thanks for sharing! Too bad Alco didn't build a better product.

Al Seever
Phoenix, AZ

There was a posting on the Santa Fe "Alligators" (Alco RSD-15s) and I commented on how SP and UP both had Century units, but ATSF 849 (in one of the photos) is probably the last Alco they every bought.

The Centuries were not a bad product - especially the C420, C425 and C630. Product support was the issue both at Alco and on the railroads. When the fleet is too small you don't have the mechanics that properly understand the product. The Alco electrical system was modular plug-in cards with various transitors and diodes long before EMD did the SAME with the Dash2 models. Better system but you need a technician that can trouble shoot it. The Centuries ran and performed well on railroads like the SP&S, GB&W and other places where they had mechanics which knew the system (and still do today). How many C425's are in service compared to U25B's?

RWJ

alco636 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Great photo, thanks for sharing! Too bad Alco
> didn't build a better product.

LV95032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Centuries were not a bad product - especially
> the C420, C425 and C630. Product support was the
> issue both at Alco and on the railroads. When the
> fleet is too small you don't have the mechanics
> that properly understand the product. The Alco
> electrical system was modular plug-in cards with
> various transitors and diodes long before EMD did
> the SAME with the Dash2 models. Better system but
> you need a technician that can trouble shoot it.
> The Centuries ran and performed well on railroads
> like the SP&S, GB&W and other places where they
> had mechanics which knew the system (and still do
> today). How many C425's are in service compared to
> U25B's?
>
> RWJ
>
> alco636 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Great photo, thanks for sharing! Too bad Alco
> > didn't build a better product.


The ship I was stationed on (a Newport class LST) was powered by six Alco 16-251s. Plus three 8-251s for electric power. The engines worked great, very few problemes, nothing major. The first three ships in the class were EMD 645 powered, the remaining 17, Alco.