Revive the Centennial
Join America's largest railway museum as we restore to operation the most powerful diesel locomotive ever built.
History
Union Pacific 6930 was built in 1969, the 100th anniversary of the Golden Spike that united the continent with the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. In honor of this, the railroad named the 47 locomotives of its class Centennials. They were the most powerful diesel-electric locomotives ever built on a single frame, boasting 6,600hp generated by two 16-cylinder diesel engines and eight traction motors. They weighed 270 tons and stretched more than 98' in length - true giants of the rails.
The Centennials were ideal for moving high-tonnage freight trains at high speeds and over long distances. Geared for a 90mph (145kmh) top speed, the locomotives were immediately successful in hauling fast freight trains over the Union Pacific's main line. They averaged as much as 22,000 miles of service per month and each diesel locomotive racked up some 2 million miles in service over the course of its career.
Though successful, the Centennials saw so much use that they wore out quickly. The Union Pacific removed them from active service in 1980 after just a decade. In 1983, 25 of the locomotives - including 6930 - were rehabilitated and returned to active duty. They saw regular use for another two years until 6930 and the other Centennials entered permanent retirement in 1985.
Click here for UP 6930 technical information and specifications
Preservation
When it was retired, UP 6930 was stripped of its traction motors, wheels, and prime movers (diesel engines) so those components could be reused on other UP diesels. In their place, irreparably damaged or worn motors, wheels, and prime movers were installed. It was in this condition that UP 6930 arrived at the Illinois Railway Museum in 1991. Its electrical systems were mostly intact, and IRM volunteers restored it to operation as an unpowered "dummy," or "cab car," in 2005.
Now, IRM is embarking on a project to return UP 6930 to full operation. This will require significant funding and volunteer time to accomplish several major tasks:
- Acquire and install two replacement prime movers (overhauled prime movers were donated by Progress Rail and are awaiting installation)
- Acquire and install eight new wheelsets and traction motors, or "combos"
- Complete a full cosmetic restoration of the locomotive
- Evaluation and validation of other major components with repairs as needed
With your help, this colossus of the rails can live again. Please help us Revive the Centennial and return Union Pacific 6930 to operation.
