Union Pacific Turbines of the Wasatch

Union Pacific Turbines of the Wasatch (1992)

December 11th, 19921h 0min

Documentary
0%

Overview

In the decade they were operated, Union Pacific's 8500-series Gas Turbine Electric Locomotives earned two nicknames: UP dubbed them the "Super Fleet" for obvious reasons as they were the largest, most powerful locomotives ever employed by the railroad. More often the Turbines were referred to as "Big Blows" due to the deafening roar of their engines. Thirty of these GE-built giants were delivered to the UP between 1958 and 1961. Used primarily between Ogden, Utah and Green River, Wyoming, where the tough grades of the Wasatch Mountains required UP's sturdiest power, these monsters could log up to 10,000 miles a month hauling heavy mixed freight and coal trains. The 8500 series were permanently coupled six-axle units running on C-C trucks, and their prime mover was the most powerful ever used in a locomotive. The operating weight for the A and B units combined was close to 850,000 pounds, yet they could attain speeds of up to 70 mph!


Make sure to check your pop-up blocker!!

Trailer

Similar Movies

Deschutes Driftwood

Deschutes Driftwood


Released on: 1916-01-01
Western, Documentary

A "scenic picture from a hobo's point of view".

The Complete History of America's Railroads

The Complete History of America's Railroads


Released on: 2010-01-01
Documentary

No matter what your age you'll love watching this impressive and comprehensive story of the developm...

Freeload

Freeload


Released on: 2014-02-28
Documentary

Just as the original hobos of the early 20th century were scorned the mainstream of society, so too ...

Great Northern Railway Volume I

Great Northern Railway Volume I


Released on: 1994-12-09
Documentary

The most complete and comprehensive collection of railroading films ever compiled on any subject - t...

Trains Along The Upper Mississippi Volume 2

Trains Along The Upper Mississippi Volume 2


Released on: 1999-12-16
Documentary

Tracing the eastern banks of the upper Mississippi River is BNSF’s St. Croix Subdivision, a mostly d...

Great Northern Railway Volume II

Great Northern Railway Volume II


Released on: 1994-12-09
Documentary

The most complete and comprehensive collection of railroading films ever compiled on any subject - t...

Great Northern Railway Volume III

Great Northern Railway Volume III


Released on: 1994-12-09
Documentary

The most complete and comprehensive collection of railroading films ever compiled on any subject - t...

Blue Mountains Volume I

Blue Mountains Volume I


Released on: 1990-12-09
Documentary

Experience the power of the mighty Union Pacific as it conquers its toughest run, the Blue Mountains...

Blue Mountains Volume II

Blue Mountains Volume II


Released on: 1990-12-09
Documentary

See the Union Pacific fight and win as it takes on the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon - the toughe...

Blue Mountains Volume III

Blue Mountains Volume III


Released on: 1990-12-09
Documentary

Experience the power of the mighty Union Pacific on its toughest run, the Blue Mountains of Eastern ...

Donner Pass

Donner Pass


Released on: 1988-12-09
Documentary

Donner Pass – the name evokes daunting obstacles with good reason. Steep grades and seven months a y...

Tribute to Tennessee Pass

Tribute to Tennessee Pass


Released on: 1997-12-10
Documentary

Esteemed for its scenic beauty and respected for the difficulty of its terrain, Tennessee Pass has b...

Pittsburgh Line Blues

Pittsburgh Line Blues


Released on: 1998-12-10
Documentary

Savor images of Conrail action across the Pittsburgh Line, the very soul of this once mighty transpo...

Steam Across America Volume I

Steam Across America Volume I


Released on: 1993-12-10
Documentary

Pentrex takes you back in time to the late 1950s and 1960s for a close-up look at the waning years o...

Union Pacific's Mighty Turbines

Union Pacific's Mighty Turbines


Released on: 2001-12-10
Documentary

Union Pacific has always been on the cutting edge of locomotive technology. In the 1950s, it became ...

Trains Along the Upper Mississippi Volume 1

Trains Along the Upper Mississippi Volume 1


Released on: 1999-12-10
Documentary

Flanking the western shore of the upper Mississippi River runs Canadian Pacific's River Subdivision,...

Steam Across the Pacific Northwest

Steam Across the Pacific Northwest


Released on: 2000-12-10
Documentary

The mighty 4449 was painted black with BNSF decals to head up a BNSF Employee Appreciation Special i...

Columbia River Gorge Volume 1

Columbia River Gorge Volume 1


Released on: 2005-12-08
Documentary

From headwaters in Canada, the Columbia River flows over twelve hundred miles to the Pacific Ocean a...

Columbia River Gorge Volume 2

Columbia River Gorge Volume 2


Released on: 2007-12-08
Documentary

Climbing gently from the tidewater ports near Portland, Oregon is the Columbia River Gorge'a wide, f...

Countdown to Merger

Countdown to Merger


Released on: 1996-12-13
Documentary

With just six days remaining before Santa Fe was to be merged with the Burlington Northern, Pentrex ...