You can track units by clicking on a unit number listed below or by going to the UP Trace site at:
Well, it's only been a year since my last roster update but how things change! Uncle Pete has pushed full steam ahead with many patched and a few repaint jobs. In fact, UP seemed to get ahead of itself on a few occasions in literally patching and then retiring a unit within that same week.
UP's SD70M's spelled the end for the fuel-guzzling older SP mainline units. The 45T-2's (both original and GRIP units) are all gone with the few rebuilt UP units left but most are scrapped and/or retired (a freak UP decision gave SP6819 to the Calif. State RR Museum). The last 45R barely made it into 2002 but it was pulled out of service just past the new year. All non-Dash-2 GP40's have been ordered out of service ASAR (as soon as reasonable) meaning you DRGW fans should get 3092 and SP3086 on film. It is interesting to note that most of the 77XX-78XX series "B-boats" that have disappeared on this new 2001 update roster are now patch units and many of the 4 axle units like GP38-2s and GP40-2s will also be living long lives as patch units. SW1500's are rare in either SP paint, UP paint or patch form. Lone B39-8 SP8013 still survives along with lone SP8192. The last ESPEE-unique GP40P-2 7600 (ex-bicentennial 3197) has been pulled off of the West Coast and at posting time is sitting too close for comfort at the almighty paintshop at UP's big shops in Little Rock, AR. Yet the AC4400's and the MK SD40M-2's still roam with the majority still in untouched speed lettering. Most of the AC's are busy year-round on coal service and the 40M's are mostly based out of West Colton, CA. A few railfan trips to Colton have proved that the SP image still holds down in SoCal.
Again, the "(SPXXXX)" around a unit in the table below indicates a former SSW/DRGW painted units repainted into the SP speed lettering scheme.
The "?" indicates a unit inactive for at least 2 weeks before 12/31/01. This could be for a number or reasons including a unit leased or with track rights on another railroad off the UP road, a unit sold to another railroad, a unit held for maintenance, repair work, paint shop, etc. at a engine facility, a unit taken out of active service for wreck repairs, uncorrectable maintenance problems, or units stored on the dead track being used for parts or headed for the scrap yard (my least favorite units). I have put this "roster" together to the best of my ability. It is actually easier to follow units with the SP fleet cut down to under 800. These figures are not perfect with all the units roaming and UP patches and repaints or retires a unit at least everyday.
Thanks to UtahRails for their UP roster updates and extensive coverage of painting, patching and retiring over the last year.
I hope this helps both ESPEE modelers and railbuffs. Please send corrections and/or other patch / repaint / retirement news to my e-mail address below.
-Ryan Martin aka "espeeboy"
@ CP "Maggie" Oakland, CA Niles Sun MP6.0 (NI006)
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This document prepared
by Ryan Martin aka "espeeboy" Visit my ESPEE FOREVER Yahoo! Group Thanks to
Richard Percy for his help and excellent resources. Visit the best
ESPEE website at espee.railfan.net |