RIO GRANDE/UP 1342

[nittyp]

I've been down in Oakland the past few months and on several occations I have seen UP 1342, a GP40-2 with Rio Grande paint scheme.. Looks a little unusual, being its a RG paint scheme, thats very weathered and beat up, and a GP40-2 in that area seems odd. In that area accross from the embarcadero you usually see big intermodal, auto or lumber trains running through with multiple large locos in UP paint or BNSF and Amtrak service, but to see this locomotive sitting off on a siding several different times seemed odd. Anyone have any idea why it would be there?

nittyp

[silicon212]

UP uses these EMD 4-axle switchers for local power, so there's a possibility that it's assigned to a local in the area.  You will see GP60s also used for the same purpose.

[arkansasrailfan]

In Little Rock we have 2 locals. One is the Malvern Local, with UP GP40-2 1539 &1540, and then the Biddle yard to North Little Rock yard ferry move with SP GP60 9755, and 2 UP GP48s(don't remember numbers)