UP 18, the gigantic gas turbine-electric set, on display         
These monstrous 8,500 HP two-unit sets, with twelve powered axles (plus fuel tender) fit right in with UP's penchant for Brobdingnagian motive power exemplified by the Big Boy, EMD DDA40X, and others. It is one of two preserved (the other is No. 26 in Utah) out of a class of 30 built. They had relatively short careers from 1955-December 1969, issues with fuel economy (the Bunker C oil they burned initially being significantly cheaper than diesel lost that advantage) and wear and tear on the turbine blades; as well as improvements in diesel-electric power rendered them obsolete.
Date: 8/14/2022 Location: Union, IL   Map Show Union on a rail map Views: 48 Collection Of:   Andre Wehrle
Locomotives: UP 18(8500 GTEL)    Author:  Andre Wehrle
UP 18, the gigantic gas turbine-electric set, on display
Picture Categories: This picture is part of album:  Railroad Museums and Static Displays
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