Union Pacific 942 is a streamlined diesel-electric locomotive, designed for fast, efficient pulling of passenger trains over long distances. It is an "E-unit", a standardized design first produced in 1937 and continually improved over 25 years through 10 model variations. E-units were the most popular passenger-service streamlined diesel locomotives in the U.S. (in terms of numbers produced). For three decades, E-unit powered streamlined passenger trains were the quintessential symbol of railroading in this country.
History
This engine was built by the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) of General Motors Corp. in May 1953, as an E8-A locomotive: an E-unit of the 8th model variation (2250 horsepower, later upgraded to 2400 hp), designated "A" because it is a leading engine with cab (compared to boxy non-cab "B" trailing engines). It was part of an order of 17 E-8As for the Union Pacific (UP) system.
The Union Pacific placed the E-8s in their general passenger service pool, and in general used them to replace older steam and diesel engines. One of the UP 942's more glamorous assignments was as one of several engines pulling the famous streamliner City of Los Angeles on runs between Chicago and Los Angeles. This notable train used streamlined locomotives and cars, all painted in the distinctive UP colors of Armour yellow with red stripes, and carried politicians, business magnates, and Hollywood stars between the cultural centers of the Midwest and Southwest.
After 19 years of service on the UP, locomotive 942 was sold to a railroad equipment dealer in Chicago in 1972, and then resold to the Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW). The C&NW renumbered the locomotive C&NW 510, and used it in Chicago-area commuter train operations. This service was taken over by the government agency Metra, including this engine. The engine was retired in 1988, and ended up in a railway salvage yard in Colton, California.
In 1995, the Museum raised the funds to purchase the locomotive. With the help of the salvage yard and several railroads and railroad shops, many necessary repairs were made on the engine and it was moved to Perris in June 1997.
The locomotive is currently operational and is used several times each year on the museum railway.
Technical Data
| Type | Diesel-electric, type E-8A | |
| Builder | General Motors, Electro-Motive Division | |
| Date built | May 1953 | |
| Overall configuration | Streamlined cab-unit, with two six-wheel trucks | |
| Weight | 316,500 pounds | |
| Engines/cylinders | Two 2-cycle 567-B diesel engines, 12 cylinders each | |
| Power transmission | Two 600-volt generators | |
| Horsepower | Originally 2250 horsepower, upgraded to 2400 hp | |
| Dimensions | Length 70'3"; height 14'10.5"; width 10'8" | |
| Maximum speed | 117 miles per hour |
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More Photos |
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| 942 on an OERM Pumpkin Train to Hemet in October 1997. | Another scene on the 1997 Pumpkin Train. | April 2004 |
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| 942 in service in the 1960s, photographer unknown | 942 meets PE 1299 on the Museum mainline, March 2005 | |
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| UP 942 at the head of an all-UP consist during the UP employee appreciation picnic 5-9-09 | ||
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942 in service, Council Bluffs Iowa 11/14/69, OERM Archives |
942 in action 1970, Jack Lofgren photo, OERM Archives |
In Chicago commuter service, 7/20/82. Leon Kay photo |
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John Smatlak photos, except as noted |
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Page Updated 11/22/09
