The Centennial

Locomotive 6900 was one of 47 DDA-40X locomotives built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors exclusively for Union Pacific and to Union Pacific specifications. These Centennial locomotives were built in 1969 as Union Pacific celebrated the 100th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike that completed the nation's first transcontinental railroad. With 6600 horsepower, they were designed as freight-train tonnage increased dramatically, to carry heavier loads farther and faster with less maintenance. They were the world's largest single-unit diesel locomotives, using four axle trucks to keep their weight within track loading limits. Powered by two diesel engines, they could reach 85 miles per hour on level track, with power sent to the wheels through eight electric traction motors, one for each set of wheels. The Centennials hauled freight across the Union Pacific system from 1969 until 1984. Locomotive 6900, the first Centennial produced, left Omaha on its first run in May 1969 for Ogden, Utah, and the 100th-anniversary Golden Spike celebration. It was retired after logging nearly 2 million operating miles. The last operating Centennial, Locomotive 6936, continues to operate as part of Union Pacific's Heritage Fleet.

Omaha, Nebraska · United States