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Is UP's running DD40X still in freight service?
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Hey there, <br />I believe that the operational DD40 is number 6936. If memory serves me, its based out of Cheyenne (home of the steamers - 3985 & 844.) UP removed the public trace from their website. Prior to that, you could go on their website, enter UP6936 and get the last siting info on the DD40, the e-units, the steamers, etc. (bummer there)... although I do have customer access and maybe can check it out if I get to work later today. There are a couple static DD40's on display. Up above, in another post, someone mentioned that there are units in Ogden and North Platte. There is also one in Omaha (in Kennefic park, just North of downtown, along the river). It sits facing a Big Boy. What a pair! There is also on in St. Louis at the Museum. The oddest one might be the one in Chamberlain South Dakota on the Dakota Rail. It was bought as a parts source for other Dakota Rail units. <br /> <br />Here's a funny lesson on history repeating itself - sort of. The DD40 was built to be a very high horsepower unit (6,000HP). One of the downfalls on these units was that if one died in a consist, you lost the pulling power of 2 ordinary units. i.e. you were putting too many eggs into one basket. Fast forward from 1969 to today. The railroads are again ordering 6,000 HP units to be able to reduce the number of locomotives on the head end of a train. Arguably, the DD40 had 2 power plants and was perhaps not as reliable as today's technology. However, if one DD40 dies or if one AC6000CW dies, they are equally dead and the train is in just as much trouble. Funny how things come full circle. Maybe that old adage that "Those that don't know their history are destined to repeat it" applies here.
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