Equipment Information

Union Pacific 6930 is the most powerful diesel-electric locomotive at the museum. It is one of 47 identical locomotives built exclusively for the UP and called “Centennials” because they were delivered starting around the 100^th anniversary of the “Golden Spike” that completed the UP’s transcontinental railroad. The locomotive features two separate diesel engines, or “prime movers,” and eight powered axles.

UP 6390 operated roughly 2,000,000 miles in service across the railroad’s system. It was retired in early 1981 and put into storage in Yermo, California. In March 1983, the UP was facing a traffic surge and placed 6930 and 24 other “Centennials” back into service. Locomotive 6930 ran for roughly two more years and was retired again in April 1985.

Union Pacific 6390 Details

Builder: Electro Motive Division GM
Year Built: 1970
Model: DDA-40X
Horsepower: 6600
Length: 98ft 5in
Width: 10ft 4in
Height: 16ft 4in
Weight: 475830 lbs
Brakes: 26L
Engine: Two 16-645
Motors: 8 EMD D77X
Trucks: 8 Wheel Flex Coil
Description: Diesel-Electric
Arrived: 1991
Condition: Complete / unrestored / not operational

Read more about the history of this engine in Rail & Wire #264

Photo gallery

UP 6930 Ownership History

1970-1985 – Union Pacific #6930
1985-1991 – Smoky Hill Railway & Historical Society, Kansas City, MO
1991-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL

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