Union Pacific Doubles Down |
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 Pan shot of Union Pacific DD40X #6936 at Duncan, Nebraska on 24 April 1994. (Paul DeLuca photo) |
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American Locomotive Co. (Alco), Electro-Motive Divion of GM (EMD) and General Electric (GE)
were all touting the merits of the twin-diesel locomotive in their mid-1960s sales catalogue.
The horsepower race was at full stride, with Alco's Century 855 in the lead, at least initially
in terms of its 5500-hp rating. However, they were not the first to market that honor belonged
solely to EMD and its 5000-hp DD35 demonstrator team. Soon afterwards, a trio of new Union Pacific
U50s arrived from Erie. The First of UP's cab-less double diesels from EMD arrived in June 1964.
The GEs and Alcos rode on four two-axle, span bolstered trucks, while the EMDs featured a pair
of four-motor trucks. EMD's cab-equipped DD35As arrived in 1965 and marked the last of the initial
wave of double diesels.
Round two of the double-diesel era began in April 1969 with delivery of new 6900 series DD40AXs;
the 6600-hp units were just-in time to help UP mark the 100th anniversary of the Golden Spike --
hence the name "centennials." GE's newest twin-diesel -- U50C -- began shipping fron Erie during
October of the same year. The new model was equipped with C-C trucks rather than two pair of
two-axle trucks.
At the heighth of the double diesel craze, the UP roster consisted of: | |
