Union Pacific Wartime Steam Engine

[David Dunlop]

One of the largest steam locomotives ever built in North America (built in 1941 I believe for Union Pacific) has recently been reaquired by UP and returned to their shops in Nebraska for restoration. The plan is to return it to revenue service once restoration is completed in a few years.

I have posted a photo of one of this series,of engines for reference. Hard to get a true idea of how long this beast is, due to the angle the picture was taken from, but the scale of the people gives a good impression of size overall.

It is officially a 4884 engine with an articulated boiler so it can handle curves. Empty weight is just over 1.25 million pounds, engine and tender combined. The tender can hold 20,000 gallons of water and 25 long tons of coal. Top speed is 80mph and it produces a maximum torque at 10mph of approx. 375,000 lb ft.

Be awesome to see back on the rails.

David