The 100 YEAR OLD STEAM LOCOMOTIVE

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up 5511

[MacGyver-]

That guy that single-handedly saved this train was a hero

[trainknut]

I like how some guy literally went “wait we should keep this” and UP management for like 70 years was like “meh, okay”

[michaelmccoy]

The back story on 5511 is: I grew up in Laramie, Wyoming I was in the US Army and took leave to return home. While there I took my camera and went to Cheyenne to see if I could get some pictures of 3985 that had just completed an excursion. I went to the roundhouse and no one was about so I went inside to find someone - also figuring forgiveness is easier than getting permission. I went in and was taking great pictures of the heritage locomotives as I was looking for someone to talk to. I turned a corner and walked right into a man. I quickly explained who I was, grew up in Laramie, saw these locomotives in revenue service, wanted some pictures, etc. he introduced himself as the head of the steam locomotive department and asked if I wanted to look around. Then he proceeded to give me a tour along 3985, inside the cab, the E9 units, asked if I wanted to look inside! We eventually came to 5511. He seemed impressed that I knew what a 2-10-2 was and how unique it was to have it. I asked, as everyone has, what the heck is it doing here and why wasn’t it scrapped.

He went on to say he wasn’t happy at all that it was here, no parts, no time to work on it, etc. He said that a couple of months before the Road Forman of Engines had toured his program during his visit to Cheyenne. He had prepared what he was going to say a STRONGLY recommend that 5511 be gotten rid of. He didn’t get that far, when he pointed out that the main rods had been cut, non were available in his parts and it could never run again. He was just getting ready to deliver the punch line when the Forman said “we’ll I guess you should order some.” When I asked if he did he pointed to a shipping grate on the floor beside 5511 and said that’s got a brand new main rod in it and there’s one on the other side.

The 5511 existed because it was removed fro service in the early 50’s because the roundhouse in Rawlins needed a new boiler. The 5511 was pulled out of service and moved behind the roundhouse to be the boiler for the roundhouse.

Sometime in the mid 60’s the shop manager was shuttling things down and called Cheyenne and asked “what do you want me to do with the steam engine out back.” At that point it was discovered that the UP had completely lost track of 5511. The scrapping program had finished and was shut down years before. So Rawlins was told to drag it to Cheyenne. At that point it was discovered the pistons were rusted in place so the main rods were cut and removed. 5511 was shoved into the roundhouse with 844 and that’s where it stayed.

A good fortune of corporate inefficiency.

[thatonecaledonian]

So for over 60 years did anyone think “Wait this engine isn’t supposed to be here is it?”

[W_TxTrains]

I like that Union Pacific actually listens to their employees

[barryphillips]

PRAISE that He surely deserves a medal at

[OfficialSEICK]

UP #5511 is 100 years. Happy 100th birthday UP #5511 1923-2023. Cant wait to see the #5511 steaming again

[nyotamwuaji]

Her piston rod was cut and she was due to be scrapped
Unknown employee: and I took offense to that

[Amigafur]

Glad 5511 is getting the TLC she deserves. I love 5511

[greggarner]

Thank God for that man!!! A true hero of railroad history!!! ❤❤❤❤❤

[historyboy]

It will be amazing to see her operate again as she is the only steamer in existence to have a young valve gear.

[tigersparkycheetopuff]

I met a kid at brick world Chicago this year who built a super accurate model of 5511.

[trossk]

Thank you to anybody that saves these machines from the scrap yard. Be it this train, ww2 armor, old cars, whatever, so much history sent to the scrap yards

[spicyginger]

Couple weeks ago I went with my dad to the annual Union Pacific Historical Society's annual convention in Pasco WA, and at the closing banquet I saw a presentation about the restoration process by the owners of the Midwest Museum mentioned here. Got to hold a rusty rivet used in the boiler they brought for "show and tell". These guys are really putting in the extra mile to do a full body refurbish on her, and it's looking great so far.

[fredsmith]

I'm glad that this locomotive was saved.

[zachboyd]

Not only is 5511 going to be restored, but the legendary UP 3985 Challenger is going to RHM as well!

[BryanCampoli]

She was a survivor and something to be love and cared for and is a historical treasure

[kyleking]

That Locomotive is a thing of beauty when running!!👍😁❤

[MMID]

The part I like is how it was stored in the roundhouse for 63 years. Nobody did anything until 2022 when they were like, "yeah....YEAH...NOW is the time to restore it!"

[A_Forgotten_King]

Whoever that guy was, he's a bloody legend