Following the retirement of the Union Pacific GTEL 8,500 Horsepower “Big Blow” Super Turbines in the 1968-70 timeframe, the unique 23-C-GTE and 24-C-GTE fuel tenders were saved. They were repurposed for various duties around the UP system including water or fuel oil storage and for assignment to derrick outfits. While most faded into obscurity behind backshops and were eventually scrapped, several were destined for bigger things.
Tender 24-GTE-13 was renumbered to UP 907853 upon its retirement from GTEL service. Its days as a mundane water storage tank were short as it was selected for operation behind steam excursions in 1973.
Repainted solid black with billboard “Union Pacific” lettering, it regularly operated behind FEF #8444 including the Expo ’74 train in July of 1974. In April 1977, UP 907853 operated with Southern Pacific #4449 on the Freedom Train from Birmingham, AL to Seattle, WA. Ultimately, it was retired in 1984 and eventually donated to the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1992. It was united in black paint with preserved UP GTEL #18 and was eventually repainted as it appears today.
Road Number Specific ScaleTrains
- All-new model
- Fully assembled
- 24-C-GTE Class insulated body
- 24,000-gallon capacity
- Welded seams
- Intricate electrical and water plumbing
- Factory-applied air tank, brake cylinder, and control valve
- Brake beam
- Handbrake housing with finely detailed wheel and chain
- Factory-applied multiple unit (MU) hoses, coupler cut levers, and trainline hoses
- Durable body-mounted die-cast metal semi-scale Type E knuckle couplers
- Commonwealth 3-axle trucks with SKF bearings
- 36” machined metal wheels
- Accurately profiled .110″ wide wheel tread
- Directional front and rear LED lighting
- 2-function DCC programmable decoder
- Operate using DC and DCC
- Operates on Code 70, 83 and 100 rail
- Truck safety chains available separately (SXT80111) – requires 22” minimum radius curve
- Printing and lettering legible even under magnification
- Color matched to Tru-Color paint
- Weighted above Industry standards
- Packaging safely stores model
- Minimum radius: 18”
Order Due Date: June 28, 2021
Anticipated Delivery Date: March 2022
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