Old and New Locomotives Shine at CWS
A new diesel-electric locomotive with the most environmentally friendly 4,400-horsepower diesel engine will be displayed with a legendary steam engine in Omaha for the College World Series.
A new diesel-electric locomotive that boasts the most environmentally friendly 4,400-horsepower diesel engine in the Union Pacific fleet will be displayed with its legendary No. 844 steam engine in Omaha, Neb. during the College World Series. No. 844 is the last steam locomotive that was ever built for Union Pacific.
The two will be on display across the street from TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha until June 29 to help the community celebrate college baseball's championship. "Our roots started in Omaha nearly 150 years ago near this very location we're displaying our historic locomotive for the community," said Jim Young, Union Pacific's chairman and CEO. "With college baseball and Union Pacific having strong historical ties to Omaha, it is fitting that we help celebrate the opening of the new stadium and the beginning of a new era of championship games by displaying one of our legendary steam locomotives along with one of our newest."
The new locomotive is designated UP 7410. UP's June 13 news release says it was delivered in April 2009 from a General Electric plant in Erie, Pa., and Union Pacific has spent approximately $6 billion to purchase more than 3,400 long-haul locomotives that meet EPA Tier 0, Tier 1, or Tier 2 regulations since 2000. It plans to buy 100 more locomotives this year.
The locomotive display area is called "Union Pacific's Home Plate" and is where Union Pacific was established when rail workers broke ground to start the westward expansion of the first transcontinental railroad. It is near the intersection of Cuming and 12th Streets.