Union Pacific E Unit Question

[Anonymous]

Dan [8D]

I left my tape "UP's Elegant E Units" at the farm.

So I am winging it from memory, which isn't a good thing for me to do. lol

I got the idea from watching the tape about them that both UP and VMF rebuilt the E 9s. I imagine VMF did the engine work. On the tape, Steve Lee talks about having to send them back for some warrenty work. If I remember right they were having problems with overheating. But I don't want to stick my foot in my mouth too far here. I believe the units were completely rewired, but not sure which one was responsible for that. The power car you memtioned is used with the 844 and 3985 also. I don't know if there is more than one power car or not. I have seen a power car when either of these engines were here. As far as a steam generator, even VIA has discountinued using steam as heat. Some private cars might still use steam heat but would have their own source for it.

Someone else will have to tackle the other questions. I don't know if Ed has been in these units or not. I do think they have been to Houston. They were here in North Little Rock and I tried to catch them at Jacksonville but managed to miss them. (Just my luck.)

[dharmon]

In one of the threads it was mentioned that when the UP E units were rebuilt, the 567 plants were replaced by a single 645. I looked on the UP web site and this was confirmed. Okay so here are the questions...

1. I have seen photos of E Units that Amtrak had rebuilt with both of the 567s replaced by 645s, why did UP only go with one? Economy? Maintenance? or just being concientious stewards of the share holder's $$s

2. How did they install it? Did it go on the mounts of one motor only or did they center it for weight distribution? Externally they don't appear different from a regular E unit to me....but I could be wrong.

3. I also noticed that they use power cars for steam and/or HEP for their passenger cars. Does this mean that the E unit does not have a steam generator or HEP generator at all?

Thanks