What is the history of UP C44AC 9997-9999?

[Anonymous]

Hello! While Railfanning in Rochelle, I got a picture of UP 9997. When I looked it up in an online roster, it said it a C44AC in the 9997-9999 series. That makes me wonder, why did UP chose such a high number for 4 common locomotives when they have many more of the same type in lower number series?

[dehusman]

Because they were the first C44AC's and when they were purchased they were uncommon, the only AC's on UP's roster. Post SP merger they are being renumbered into the series with other C44AC's. The UP's C44-9's were in the 9700 series, so putting the C44AC's in the 9900 series was not that much of an anomaly.

Dave H.

[CShaveRR]

In fact, those three were assigned new numbers after the CNW merger (but obviously nobody's in any hurry to actually renumber the units). CNW had 35 AC4400CWs at the time of the merger, and more on order...the first ones UP got in 1995, after the merger, had been ordered by CNW.

[Anonymous]

UP C44AC 9997-9999 WHERE BUILT IN OCT&NOV 1994. NUM 9998 WAS WRECKED IN A ACCIDENT IN SEPT 98. WAS REPAIRED AND RENUMBERED 6701 AND RETURNED TO SERVICE IN JULY 99.NUM 9997&9999 ARE TO BE NUMBERED 6700&6702. PCUPDSTORM

[Anonymous]

So those were former cnw?

My roster book, "Union Pacific 2003-2004 Locomotive Directory" is fairly accurate, but it didn't list these!

[dehusman]

No they were bought new by the UP.

[Anonymous]

In my 2000 UP Loco directory these 3 locos are listed under nums 6700 (9997)
6701 (9998)
6702 (9999)

[Anonymous]

My 2002-2003 Roster Book said that they were retired GP40xs!