by Tony Cook and Randy Keller/photos as noted
When Don Strack first surveyed Rock Island (RI) GP40s in his September/October 1993 Diesel Era article, “Union Pacific-financed… Rock Island GP40s,” the last few members of the roster were leaving Union Pacific (UP)/Missouri Pacific (MP) ownership. These four-axle Electro-Motive Division (EMD) 3,000-hp units are an interesting bunch and return to the pages of this publication (nearly three decades after that initial feature) for another look. On the following pages, you’ll generally see views of the 31 units (out of the collection of 50 UP numbered 600–649) that received Armour Yellow dress and worked for UP and MP (and elsewhere) during the 1980s. For this presentation, the reference to UP or MP in captions will follow what name appears on the long hood…
ABOVE: MP 606 (ex-RI 346) in November 1986 looks fresh, clean, and ready for work; however, reference data shows this GP40 went to Morrison-Knudsen a year later (October 1987) and emerged from rebuilding as a GP40FH-2 for New Jersey Transit (as NJT 4140). — Kevin EuDaly collection
ABOVE: MP 616 (ex-RI 356) on June 6, 1986. This unit received newer Blomberg Type-M truck sideframes during its refresh from Rock Island to UP/MP service. — J. Harlen Wilson photo, Randy Keller collection
ABOVE: UP 640 (ex-RI 4709) on April 3, 1987, shows it retained its Union Pacific let-tering for its 1980s-era run. There may appear to be gaps in this feature’s photo survey… actually select Rock Island GP40s were numbered for UP in 1980 but deemed beyond usable. On this page you’ll notice no picture of a UP/MP 641 or 644; these were Rock Island 4710 and 4713 and went to PNC and scrapped without serving UP/MP in the 1980s. Note the more conservative air horn cluster on this unit and others, versus the most intricate collection of horns adorning roster members like 628 and 629 on page 48. Checking reference photos from RI days, these are generally the original air horns on these GP40s. — Lon Coone photo, Randy Keller collection
