Everything’s Bigger in TX

UP “Centennial” #6913

Union Pacific "Centennial" 6913

Build Date: October, 1969

Builder: General Motors Electro-Motive Division

Current Status: Static

Road: Union Pacific Railroad

Union Pacific's innovations with locomotives progressed beyond the steam era and the desire for a high horsepower diesel locomotive led to construction of the 6600 hp DDA40X. This locomotive had the equivalent of two 3300 hp locomotives on a single frame and was the world's largest and most powerful diesel-electric. The first of Union Pacific's new units were delivered in time for the 100th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad and numbered in the 6900s to commemorate the event. A total of 47 of these locomotives were delivered through 1971, serving in fast freight service until high maintenance costs forced their retirement in the mid 1980s. Centennial number 6913 was retired and donated by Union Pacific in 1986 and is one of 13 remaining examples.

Union Pacific “Centennial” #6913 arrives at the Museum of the American Railroad (formerly the Age of Steam Railroad Museum) in Dallas, TX March 14, 1986