The "956" Miniature Train
The Historic Union Pacific Parade Train
One of Union Pacific Railroad's most popular Goodwill Ambassadors is a miniature train.
The miniature train was built in Union Pacific's Omaha Locomotive and rail car repair shops in 1956 and is sometimes called the Pride of the Omaha Shops." For many years, Union Pacific has operated a miniature train in various parades, UP Employee Family Days and other civic events. Today, the mini-train makes about 50 appearances a year throughtout Union Pacific's 23-state system and generally is booked up to three years in advance of special civic celebrations.
The locomotive number UP 956 was chosen because the miniature locomotive was patterned after a 900 series passenger locomotive and built in '56. The locomotive was made from a tow tractor used to pull luggage wagons at large passenger train depots. A "flat-head" four-cylinder gasoline engine powers the miniature train locomotive. The locomotive and rail cars run on rubber tires so the train can operate on any solid surface.
Until 1998, the miniature train traveled around the UP system in a pair of matched boxcars numbered UP 903014 and UP 903015. Each boxcar was stenciled with "Miniature Train Service." Today the train moves to each event in a custom trailer built exclusively for the mini-train.
In 2004, three retired baggage cars were placed end-to-end on the ground to form a unique garage where the miniature train is kept between appearances.
Each miniature train rail car was reconditioned and repainted in 2006. |
