Nostalgia & History > Centennials With Some of Those Fast Forties

In the late 1970s, UP 6900-class DDA40X “Centennials” could be seen running with an 8000-class SD40-2 “Fast Forty” spliced between.  The 8000s had high speed gearing and were intended to run in a dedicated pool with the 6900s on UP’s fastest movements, but the DDs were eventually retired and the SDs re-geared for lower speed and re-numbered alongside their sisters in the ubiquitous 3000 series.  Hope you enjoy this brief slide show of those good times around Cajon Pass and environs.
 
Thanks for looking back,
GK

1.  At Verdemont on the AT&SF 1st District, 6905 is ahead of class unit 8000 and sister DD 6915.  I suspect this is either the VAN or the SUPRV as it descends from Cajon Pass on the straight track toward San Bernardino on a January, 1977, afternoon.

2.  6930, 8039, and 6916 are on the North Track out of Cajon station heading into Sullivan’s Curve, March, 1977.

3.  Glinty 6923, 8062, and 6914 westbound at Mira Loma, June, 1977.  The vineyards in the background are now replaced by a sea of warehouses.

Few more to follow.
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/21/21 16:32 by TheNavigator.

---

---

---

4.  6942, 8038, 6927, and 8065 at San Bernardino, July, 1977.  The Depot sure was a great unobstructed place to watch the action back then!

5.  After an August, 1977, sunset, 6943, 8035, and 6918 are on the South Track approaching Cajon station.  Today, instead of the lone vehicle visible above the consist on I-15, the traffic would be bumper to bumper.

6.  6923 (again), 8037, 6924 eastbound with a typical van train at Keenbrook, August, 1977.
 

---

---

---

7.  A solid consist of Fast Forties:  8002, 8074, 8011 at Devore, February, 1978.

8.  8012, 8029, 6936 at Colton, July, 1978.

9.  8020, 8024 plus 3 non-8000 class SD40-2s eastbound at Colton Tower, July, 1978
 

---

---

---

10.  6945, 6913, 8020, 8021 eastbound at Summit, November, 1978.

11.  6901 and 8064 are the first two units on an eastbound power transfer just east of the old grade crossing at Highway 138, November, 1978. 
 

---

---

The concepts of the type of service that these locomotives were designed and optioned out for is as alien to todays UPRR as Waycars and full crews and passenger trains.
I doubt that many in Omaha even have a clue that this type of service was not only possible but DONE DAILY, and was willfully solicited by the Carriers. PSR was done for 100 years in this country and yet is a unknown entity to Modern Railroading “Management” in North America.

Posted from iPhone

This die-hard Santa Fe fan is drooling! Where-oh-where did THAT Union Pacific go, anyhow...

Lance/199

I have been refreshed. Thank you Navigator!!
 

Excellent images - Great power.
Bob

Drknow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The concepts of the type of service that these
> locomotives were designed and optioned out for is
> as alien to todays UPRR as Waycars and full crews
> and passenger trains.
> I doubt that many in Omaha even have a clue that
> this type of service was not only possible but
> DONE DAILY, and was willfully solicited by the
> Carriers. PSR was done for 100 years in this
> country and yet is a unknown entity to Modern
> Railroading “Management” in North America.
>
> Posted from iPhone

YES. Amen. You are over the target with present UP management thinking.
Wonderful images of a time when
CUSTOMER SERVICE,  with thoughtful, practical efficiency and management and employees had similar goals to perpetuate business.

Wonderful series! By being drenched and stunted with PSR, PTC, and notch restrictions, this Unlimited Power sequence still lets people know that at one time train velocity mattered. Great set of shots.

Fantastic series, all classic UP...

JG

Posted from Android

Very nice documentary and photos of when the industry and Union Pacific strives to be the best in their class and be of service to their customers. Sure is great to see that generation of units and management mentality
Brian Stevens

Posted from iPhone

On #5, I can't figure out if this is eastbound or westbound. Either way, those Alpha Beta meat trailers were regulars between the D&RGW at Salt Lake and the AB distribution center at La Habra.  Great series.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/21/21 21:19 by Conch.

Conch Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> On #5, I can't figure out if this is eastbound or
> westbound. Either way, those Alpha Beta meat
> trailers were regulars between the D&RGW at Salt
> Lake and the AB distribution center at La Habra. 
> Great series.

Westbound at Cajon Station.

Adam

Glorious!  - Eric B.

Nice shots Gary, you did very well with the Centennials!

Great set!! Great combos.

Bob

Posted from Android

Great group of photos, Gary!

Rich

Killer series Gary! As a kid, I was always so disappointed when a UP train showed up with that Centennial, Fast Forty, Centennial combination! I was always hoping to see a DD35 or foreign railroads. I think I would take these today however:}

miss that UP