Intermodal Virtual Ops 1G

Greetings and welcome to Intermodal Virtual Ops 1G. In our continuing series of Intermodal segments, featuring different layouts and eras. We find a Union Pacific Intermodal train rolling west out of Omaha, Nebraska sometime in the late 1980's. It's carrying several containers and trailers of recycle material for the West Coast.

Leading our consist is Dash 8-40-C #9217. It was added to the train in Omaha after receiving the block of cars from the Chicago North Western. The CNW picked up the train from Conrail in Chicago. The CNW in those days was the eastern connection for the UP to Chicago.

Next up is SD-40-2 #3275. It has the longer "snoot" nose that was used to house the radio control equipment for the remote helper sets from the 1970's.

GP50 #53 is a recently repainted Missouri Pacific unit from the 1982 merger. The Mopac had opted for the non-dynamic brake option for their GP50's. The Union Pacific soon found this to be an issue for its trains working on the western end of the system. Ideal for "hotshot" intermodal trains, this GP50 and it's respective fleet will soon be banished to the flat terrain of the Great Plains and eastern part of the UP system.

Various TOFC cars working their way west with "recycled" products.

A set of trailers on a linked set of spine cars, headed to West Coast recycle dealers.

 Some unique TOFC cars made by Front Range Products during the 1980's.

Bringing up the rear is a set of spine cars set up for COFC service. This train is running with one of the new "FRED" devices to allow for caboose less operations. A sign of the times, recycle products for cargo and caboose less trains. Lots of transitions happening in the closing years of the 1980's. Thanks for reading!