Preamble Express
Locomotive #951

The Preamble Express' second locomotive was Union Pacific 951, seen here arriving at Omaha to take over from the 2312 locomotive.

Artist Bob Lorenz designed the paint scheme.

The original plan was to have an E9A and E9B set of locomotives repainted at La Grange, IL and take over on the train in Chicago. The A-B set would also help power the AFT (along with a smaller steam locomotive) in the Northeast during 1976. These plans were abandoned and only one UP locomotive was repainted for the Preamble Express.

The 951 locomotive pulled the Preamble Express for the remainder of its 48-state tour. The crew nicknamed it "Snowbird".

Afterwards, it returned to the Union Pacific and retained its Preamble Express colors through the Bicentennial. It was the only UP locomotive painted in connection with the American bicentennial.

In August 1977 the engine was repainted UP yellow and was retired in 1980 (with 4,220,669 miles on her wheels -- the equivalent of 170 trips around the earth!). It was a short retirement as the locomotive returned to the active roster in 1984 and continues to serve on the UP's yellow excursion/business trains to this day.

(Yes... that is the editor basking in the afterglow of a cab ride in 951 going around the yard switching UP steam locomotive 844.)

Image: Linda Hinojosa. Cheyenne, WY April 2006

951 is seen here in Portland, Oregon at the head of the Union Pacific 150th Anniversary Train.

Image: Lee Bishop, July 2012

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