GP40s on the MoPac
Ex-Rock Island Units

A brief summary, and a renumbering roster of the Rock Island GP40s that were Assigned to the MoPac under Union Pacific.
By Jay Glenewinkel

Between 1966 and 1970, Union Pacific financed 85 locomotives for the Rock Island. This included 60-GP40s, 20-U28Bs, and 5 ALCO C415s. Upon the 1980 shutdown of the Rock Island, UP reacquired 76 of these units. 51 of the ex-Rock Island GP40s were assigned and numbered for the Missouri Pacific, and lettered in the MoPac Canary scheme. In a few short years UP began painting out the MoPac lettering on units, and all were repainted and renumbered into the Union Pacific roster. Today, none of the ex-Rock Island units are in service on the UP. Many have been distributed to various lease companies, and others to shortlines.

Rock Island GP40 #367 - was among several GP40s assigned to the Missouri Pacific by Union Pacific. The RI #367 became MP #624. - Jay Glenewinkel Photo Collection

MP GP40 #629 - is one of several former Rock Island GP40s acquired through Union Pacific in the mid-1980s. It is seen here in a lash-up of seven all yellow MoPac units in 1985. - Jay Glenewinkel Photo