Prototype News

The Midwest Overland Rail Preservation Society has acquired Union Pacific SD9043AC 3568, making it the first SD9043AC to enter preservation. The SD90s were the largest single-unit diesel locomotives ever built. 

Built in April 1997 as Union Pacific 8138, the locomotive was part of a fleet of 309 SD9043ACs delivered to the railroad between 1995 and 1999. Nicknamed “convertibles,” these units were originally designed around an EMD 16-265H prime mover producing 6,000 horsepower. UP instead bought them with 16-710 engines rated at 4,300 horsepower, intending to convert them to the larger engine once it was ready. Those conversions never happened, as EMD ran into delays and teething problems with its new 6,000-horsepower engine.

As a result, UP classified the locomotives as SD9043ACs while EMD classified them as SD90MACs. The UP designation reflects the 4,300 horsepower the units actually produced, versus the 6,000 they were designed for.

UP 8138 served across the system for nearly two decades before being renumbered to 3568 in 2015. Around this time, the SD90 fleet would be stored for lengthy periods at a time, only being reactivated during surges in traffic. The locomotive would finally be retired from the roster in 2021, though it would sit in storage for five more years. 

— Nick Stewart

The post Union Pacific SD9043AC Preserved appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Former Union Pacific Steam Program manager Steve Lee passed away early Sunday morning, October 25.

A Kentucky native, Lee began his railroading career with the Illinois Central in 1972 and later served as a trainmaster and road foreman for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. As the Rock Island faced bankruptcy, Lee became the division road foreman for UP out of Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1980. He took charge of UP’s Heritage Fleet in 1989, overseeing 4-8-4 “FEF-3” 844 and 4-6-6-4 “Challenger” 3985 along with the railroad’s vintage diesels and passenger cars. He led the program until his retirement in 2010.

During his tenure with the UP steam program, he made many noteworthy excursions, such as trips to Railfair in Sacramento, Calif., in 1991 and 1999 with both 844 and 3985, and a trip with 3985 over former Clinchfield Railroad territory to pull the 50th Santa Claus Special in November 1992 for CSX.

Following his retirement from UP, Lee joined Wasatch Railroad Contractors in Cheyenne, where he contributed to restoration projects around the country, including Louisville & Nashville 0-8-0 2132 in his home state of Kentucky.

— Nick Stewart

The post Steve Lee, Former UP Steam Program Manager, Dies appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad announced Friday that it has canceled all remaining excursions for the 2026 regular season due to heavy rainfall and flooding across the region.

The cancellations affect trains scheduled for October 23–25, the season’s final days. In a statement, the railroad said the decision was made with the safety of passengers, employees and crew as its highest priority.

“While this is certainly not how we hoped to conclude our season, we are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us aboard this year and to our dedicated crews and employees who made it all possible,” the railroad said on social media.

Guests holding tickets for the canceled departures will hear from the railroad directly about next steps, including rebooking or refunds.

The former Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge route runs between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado, and is known for its scenic route through the San Juan Mountains. Officials said the flooding has made conditions along portions of the right-of-way unsafe for operations.

— Nick Stewart

The post Flooding Ends Cumbres & Toltec’s Regular Season Early appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.