The Last Historic Union Pacific Parade Train
For many years, Union Pacific has operated a miniature train in various public parades, UP Family Days and other promotional events, in cities around the system. The train is approximately one-third scale and is made up of a streamlined diesel and five cars.
The UP 956 current miniature train was completed in 1956, which explains the 956 number on the locomotive; 56 for the year it was built, and a 900 series number for the railroads most modern
passenger locomotives at the time, the EMD E9's.
The trains miniature locomotive is made from a
Clark tow tractor, of the type used to pull bag-
gage wagons at larger passenger depots. The
tow tractor chassis uses a flat-head 4 cylinder
gasoline engine. The locomotive and cars run on
rubber tires, with appropriate skirting to simulate
the running gear of the trains much larger cousins.
The UP 956 current miniature train was completed in 1956, which explains the 956 number on the locomotive; 56 for the year it was built, and a 900 series number for the railroads most modern
passenger locomotives at the time, the EMD E9's.
The trains miniature locomotive is made from a
Clark tow tractor, of the type used to pull bag-
gage wagons at larger passenger depots. The
tow tractor chassis uses a flat-head 4 cylinder
gasoline engine. The locomotive and cars run on
rubber tires, with appropriate skirting to simulate
the running gear of the trains much larger cousins.
The 956 train was built by an employee of the Salt Lake diesel shop, making it possible that with the opening of the shop in August 1955, UP wanted to have an entry in the July 1956 Pioneer Days parade in Salt Lake City to promote its newest presence in town.
During the 1990's, the Salt Lake City Service Unit was in charge of the 956 train, and it was kept at the Salt Lake shop close to the district offices.
While assigned out of the Salt Lake diesel shop, the miniature train was under the protective wing of Ron Galloway and Steve Slater, two machinists who worked in the shop. Whenever the train went out for public usage, either Ron or Steve went with it to ensure its safe and sensible handling and operation.
While assigned out of the Salt Lake diesel shop, the miniature train was under the protective wing of Ron Galloway and Steve Slater, two machinists who worked in the shop. Whenever the train went out for public usage, either Ron or Steve went with it to ensure its safe and sensible handling and operation.
It was during its years assigned to Salt Lake City that the train received its newest addition, an all-aluminum open-top hopper car representing UP's newest source of unit coal trains. The aluminum hopper car was built in the Salt Lake City diesel shop around 1993 or 1994 by Bob Bateman, a sheetmetal worker in the shop who also repaired locomotie radiators. The car was made from sheet aluminum.
Until 1998, the miniature train traveled around the UP system in a pair of matched BF-70-7 boxcars numbered as 903014 and 903015, lettered with UP's "We Can Handle It" slogan and sublettered for "Miniature Train Service".
Until 1998, the miniature train traveled around the UP system in a pair of matched BF-70-7 boxcars numbered as 903014 and 903015, lettered with UP's "We Can Handle It" slogan and sublettered for "Miniature Train Service".
The miniature train sat in the Council Bluffs ice house until it was sent to Cheyenne to be under the care of the Steam Crew.
In 2004, three retired baggage cars were set on the ground end-to-end, and this is where the miniature train is kept between assignments. During early 2006 the individual cars of the train received new undercarriages from airport baggage wagons, and the train was planned to be repainted.
In 2004, three retired baggage cars were set on the ground end-to-end, and this is where the miniature train is kept between assignments. During early 2006 the individual cars of the train received new undercarriages from airport baggage wagons, and the train was planned to be repainted.