GP18u 1976 and #1776 (renumbered to pair-up with MP 1976, the original #1776 was deemed unfit for the publicity job) were taken into the paint shop and tranformed into Bicentennial engines. Proclaiming "Happy Birthday America" across the sides they wore a unique scheme of an American flag, stars, eagle (turbo style) all in red, white and blue, commemorating America's 1976 Bicentennial.

See MOPAC BICENTENNIAL UNITS for much more.

MP 1976 - a GP18u 1976 - © Brian Paul Ehni photo, used with permission.

MP 3092 - One of only a handful of SD40's to wear Double Eagles - Jay Glenewinkel Photo

MoPac SD40 #3155 - emblazoned with double eagles. This was one of the group of C&EI units that had the new eagle decal applied over the C&EI buzzsaw on the cab. At Longview, Texas. - J.C.T. Photo. Contact JCT for a list Train Picture CD's for sale

Another borderline oddball - being refitted with an EMD Spartan cab was the standard practiced used for a small number of rebuilt GE units involved in wrecks.

Units that ran without Cabs as B-units:
One U30C - MP 3319

GE Units that were re-fitted with EMD Spartan cabs:
One U30C - MP 3311/2976
Five U23B - MP 2256/4506, 4521, 4528, 2282/4531, 4534
One B23-7 - MP 2296/4607

MP 3319 - looking a curious site after losing it's cab in an accident. The power hungry MoPac ran the unfortunate U30C as a cabless "B" unit until it could be fully repaired at the shops. - © Brian Paul Ehni photo, used with permission.

MP 4528 - The MoPac's U23B's had the bad luck of a high percentage involved in wrecks for the number of locos on the system. A number of these units in turn needed cab replacment, and since MoPac had EMD parts readily on hand, the GE units were fitted with the boxier EMD-style crew cabs. Hybrid units, like #4528(now in it's third numbering), would have a look distinct to the MoPac - © Brian Paul Ehni photo, used with permission.

Dynamic Brakes on the MoPac

Of MoPac's power the only units equipped with Dynamic Brakes was the SD40c, series #6000-6073 (#6000-6019 were originally numbered #3216-3235). These engines were specifically purchased to be compatible with other coal-hauling railroads such as the Burlington Northern and Rio Grande (For more details of the MoPac SD40-2c, go to the SD page).

At least one of the GP9's had DB blisters, T&P #394 (later MP #1844). All of the C&EI GP35 units were originally DB equipped. After the merger the DB's were inoperable under MoPac, only retaining the DB blisters. These units were MP #2547-2564.

There is however one SD40, #3087, that became equipped with DB's in a very interesting story involving deception, thievery and a bit of comedy.

As the story goes, unit 3087 was wrecked south of the border, on the NdeM while on lease to them in 1978. ÊThe officials there told the MoPac people the unit was destroyed, thus it was sold as a hulk to the NdeM. Unbeknownst to the MoPac, while badly wrecked, the unit was not destroyed. Though the Mexican road reported it as unrebuildable, in reality this is exactly what they did. ÊThe nose and cab (complete with Spanish instructions) were replaced. They also applied dynamic brakes, repainted it into their scheme, renumbered it NdeM 8768 and used it as one of their own. In addition to the d/b, NdeM added foot boards, illegal in the US but not in Mexico at that time and they also removed the snowplow.

In due time MoPac officials learned (1980?) of its non-demise and demanded the return of its prodigal unit. Before heading home, the NdeM attempted to repaint the unit in MP colors with the Eagle facing backwards and nose chevrons noticably tighter together. Ê It also had the large road numbers applied to the car body just in front of the backwards eagle. (Issue 73 of Extra 2200 South shows this unit in the appearance that it returned to the MoPac.ÊOn page 28 of the Summer 1995 issue of the MPHS's the EAGLE is another image of the unit in this condition.)

After MP reclaimed it, 3087 appeared briefly with its non-standard DB's and paint scheme. The dynamic was eventually removed at NLR Shops and the unit restored to the proper paint. However, most of the cab instructions and labels applied by NdeM were left intact. They were all in Spanish. I saw this first hand as I operated this unit on occasion after it was returned and restored to its normal self. I believe the foot boards were removed and the unit operated very briefly before the dynamic was removed and the paint scheme was corrected. (Thanks to Tuch Santucci for these details)

Perhaps you heard the one about SD40-2 #3278? This locomotive wore a large "2378" on its left side, while all other numbers read "3278".

MP 3093 retained it's original classic screaming eagle on the side while having the modern large numbering applied over the eagle.

SD40-2 3131 wore both the turbo eagle and large numbering side by side.

One locomotive, SD40 3087 was wrecked in Mexico and repaired by a Mexican crew there. When MP finally got the unit back it had dynamic brakes and wore large numbers beside a backward facing eagle. (see section above)

The shops in Alliance, Nebraska applied large Burlington Northern style numbers on the sides of one SD unit.

MP 2558 can be seen in one photo in the final Jenk's Blue scheme with only one nose chevron.

More of an inconsistancy than an oddball - Units delivered after late 1974 no longer received chevrons on the rear hood, but some would have them applied at a later date if being reshopped.

Finally, over the decade following the 1980s Union Pacific-Missouri Pacific merger, the surviving blue units that MoPac once carefully maintained began to have a decidely neglected look if they weren't repainted into the new UP armour yellow dress. Unit numbers may pop up anywhere on the body and logo decals were often faded beyond recognition.

MP SD40-2 3093 - was built in March 1973 as MP 793. It was renumbered to 3093. The unit had the large numbers placed over the screaming eagle on the right side only. Note the original number (MP793) can still be seen on the rear number boards. It is pictured here at Sosan Yard in San Antonio in August 1985. - Jay Glenewinkel Photo

MP 3093 - pictured again at Sosan Yard in San Antonio in August 1985. - Jay Glenewinkel Photo

MP SD40-2 3131 - wears both large numbers and turbo eagle! #3131 was built as Texas & Pacific 832 in January 1974. The TP renumbered the unit to TP 3131 at merger time with the Missouri Pacific. When the MoPac aquired control of the T&P, it was renumbered MP 3131. It later became UP 4131. The 3131 is pictured at the Settegast Yard diesel shop in Houston, Texas in 1986. - Jay Glenewinkel Photo

MP GP38-2 2064 - has small, centered hood numbers instead of the typical large, centered type. It was built in October 1972 as MP 913. It was renumbered to MP 2064 in 1974 to run in a consecutive number series with newer GP38-2 purchases. The 2064 went to the Grand Trunk Western RR in 1988, and was renumbered GTW 5720. The 2064 is seen here in Palestine, TX. If you look along the roof line, you will see the original number (913) bleeding through. - Jay Glenewinkel Photo

MP 2103 - has numbers placed on the cab itself, this was likely applied after the UP-MP merger when UP favored unit numbers located on the cab and the appearence of the surviving bluebirds was no longer an issue. The unit was built as MP 952 in April 1973. It was renumbered MP 2103 in late 1974. Mo Pac 2103 retained its blue paint until mid-1996, being the very last MP blue unit to be placed into the UP roster. It is seen here outside of San Marcos, Texas in 1987. - Jay Glenewinkel Photo

Mighty Mouse Geep

MP 180 - Reportedly seen bustling around North Little Rock in the late '70's and early '80's, a GP7 with Mighty Mouse on it's side has the distinction of having it's own mascot. MP railcrews had their share of practical jokers, and one such joker applied the cartoon to the long hood of MP 180.

If anyone has a photo or any information about this locomotive, or any other oddball equipment, please send it in -- we'd be happy to share it here!

"Arkansas Razorbacks" Caboose and Gang Car

MP 11059 - a Magor-copy caboose, sported the Arkansas Razorbacks "hog" mascot/emblem in place of the MP logo on it's flank. The MP eagle logo was applied to the bottom left.

The Razorbacks emblem was also seen applied to the sides of a MoPac MoW gang car. The symbol was associated with the North Little Rock shop forces, who undoubtedly were eager to express their strong loyalty to the local football team.

"HERBIE" Boxcar and Graffitti

The Real Story, MP Herbie boxcar and UP Herbie boxcar
Go to our : MoPac's HERBIE Car.

HERB-1 - The MoPac's HERBIE (reporting marks 'Herb -1') car - a converted 40' boxcar with the slogan "Herbie Rides the Help Every Railroader Be Injury Exempt Division," was often paired with East One (see below), a converted combine/caboose for promoting rail safety as part of the instruction car fleet.

Railroad.union.rpi.edu Photo "Herbie" Graffiti - closeup of graffiti on Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay box car no. 8082 found in the Milwaukee yard in Mason City, IA, on August 4, 1977. - SD Marty Photo

Along those lines, "The Rambler's" mark is a distinct piece still seen on cars today, the drawing consists of a martini glass with two cubes of ice along with his signature.

Have you seen this man? "I use to see a face figure under a large cowboy hat appear on a lot of cars coming through Poplar Bluff, MO in the 80's."  Anyone know the details on that one? (Elvin Klepzig)

"Time For Safety" Boxcar

MP 30339 - A touch of railroad nostalgia, this modern 50 foot PS-1 boxcar displayed a large safety 'poster' on it's side. Features a cartoon engineer with a megaphone, a conductor's watch, and the classic red buzzsaw emblem with the slogan "Time For Safety Is Now."

Click the link for an image posted at ABPR / Railfan.net:

Railfan.net ABPR Photo-MP 30339 - Corpus Christi, TX; 1/28/84 - Brian Ehni Photo

At least one 40' box car, MP 131410, was painted in gray paint instead of the standard boxcar red. Otherwise it displayed the Route of the Eagle slogan, the buzzsaw herald (did it wear both buzzsaw and eagle logos?) and had the large DF loader logo to the left of the door. 

There are a few theories floating around as to why the car got such an oddball treatment:

1. The cars were painted off line by another road (fter wreck/repairs), though most often these repaints were minimal at best. One story has it that it was wrecked down south and a Mexican railroad did the repaint.
2. This was an experiment.
3. This was a special color or paint for special service. 

In addition to the gray paint, there were "small" detail differences, due to the use of a different stencil. The sun herald differs in the pointiness of the rays, the Eagle logo differs subtly, the DF logo differs... The "ROUTE OF THE EAGLES" script is a little odd when compared to the cars that were stencilled and painted by Desoto. A painting diagram with this unusual script was found at the Desoto shop during an MPHS tour several years back.  (thanks to MOPAC@yahoogroups.com)

This gray boxcar is not to be confused with the white modern reefer with red lettering/logo, itself a bit of an oddball.

A borderline oddball, since an entire order was given (perhaps by mistake) this unique paint on the MoP.

As the story goes, the NdeM owed the Mopac several thousand dollars in car hire and offered to build these gondolas to offset payment (which incidentally would have been cheaper than buying gons by US builders). Using black and white photos of MP's gons, the builders had no idea what color to use, so these cars were painted all-over black with white grabs.

MP 643611 - Black Gondola built, 6/83. A one-time paint scheme for modern MP gons, this oddball series was built by Construcora Nacionales in Sahagun, Mexico - photo © copyright Elvin Klepzig

MP 643801 - Black Gondola with white grabs built, 6/83. You may be able to see the "Hecho in Mexico" Aztec eagle head stamped on the side of the Mexican-built cars. - photo © copyright Elvin Klepzig

Ever see photos of the occasional car painted silver with red reporting marks and grabs?

Some of the MoP's MOW cars were painted in this "untraditional" scheme. ÊThese cars were seen mostly around Little Rock area, where you also saw the Arkansas Razorbacks "hog" decal on equipment -- a sign associated with the North Little Rock shop forces (see "Mascots" above). The safety grabs had to be a contrasting color to the car body. (thanks to Elvin Klepzig)

I've seen a small number of engines with cab sunshades painted a vermillion red (also some in yellow) instead of the standard Jenks blue.

SD40 #3005
40-2 #3201
U30B #4522
GP 18 #445
GP7 #177 - all have been photographed with the variation.

Looking at one detailed photo, it looks as though this was a primer coat on both the shade and bracket, which the blue had peeled away from. The red shades appeared at least as early as 1972 and were seen into the '1980s.

I've seen a small number of engines with cab sunshades painted a vermillion red (also some painted yellow - these are likely post-UP merger) instead of the normal blue. - Lee Berglund photo, T. Greuter collection

Caboose oddballs included:

An experiment with a white/"reversed-out Buzzsaw logo version (both large and small) appeared in the days before the company adopted the new vermillion red body with scotchlite trim caboose scheme in the 1960s.

MP 224 had a large white herald.

MP 1131 had the same white emblem with uncharacteristic Railroad Roman numbers.

MP 1210 had the new vermillion body with a small version of the white emblem and Railroad Roman numbers.

Maybe the shop ran out of the correct decals... At least one cab wore a modern eagle/buzzsaw with blue background intended for locomotives, not cabooses.

MP East One - has the unique distinction of being the sole MP caboose to wear a large "Turbo" eagle. "November 27, 1982 finds Missouri Pacific's Classroom, a converted Drover's Caboose, at Dolton, Illinois." MP East One was recycled by the railroad as a company promo for railroad safety. - Thomas J. Golden photo, postcard

The Infamous Blue MoPac Caboose

First off, there never was any such thing. The fabled blue caboose lives on only as a persistent rumor, and until we personally see a photograph (verified and authenticated by veteran NASA project computer image enhancement specialists if need be) we'll stick to our guns that this was all it is or ever will be. You'll find more photos of Bigfoot than of any of these blue-colored beasties.

Blue MoPac cabooses published in RMC??? Well the cabs existed as HO scale models anyway <grin> The elusive cab was in Rail Model Craftsman, January 1980 issue on page 82. Here Carstens talks about blue MoPac cabooses.  And if you want to see a blue caboose, just dig out the RMC, January 1974 issue. Its on the cover and on page 43 on John Ellebracht's layout.  (Joe A., seen on the MOPAC Yahoo Group)

A slight variation seen after the merger were the few locomotives that got small, instead of large lettering. This seemed to have been done on a disproportionate number of the GP15's.

Faced with the task of adopting a new look after the UP-MP merger, variations were bound to happen. The post-merger MoPac began painting it's units in UP colors with large "Missouri Pacific" lettering on road units, and small lettering on switch engines. Additionally, locomotives repainted in MP's N. Little Rock shops received a "block-letting" style, distinctive from the UP's own lettering style. This was common on many of the MP units.

In addition to the paint variations, there were some peculiar oddities seen added to the old MoPac units by the Union Pacific.

MP GP15-1 #1634 - This unit isn't so odd in itself, but it does have a life-preserver (marked U.P.R.R.) stowed on the handrail; at Longview, Texas - J.C.T. Photo. Contact Jay for a list Train Picture CD's for sale

MP GP38-2 #2023 - at Longview, Texas; 1989?. Notice the shroud added in front of the engineers side of the cab. These shrouds were designed for Union Pacific to be used on SD40's as added space for the crews' grip. MoPac found a few in Salt Lake and used them on some MOW trains to hold extra tools. - J.C.T. Photo. Contact Jay for a list Train Picture CD's for sale

MP SD40-2 #3099 - with UP style numbers applied under the screaming eagle on the long hood; at Longview, Texas - J.C.T. Photo. Contact Jay for a list Train Picture CD's for sale

In 1988, several Union Pacific SD40s were rebuilt and refitted with dynamic braking for lease to the Wisconsin Central/Oxford. Units such as #3068 (former UP 3068) were shopped in Little Rock, and due to the surplus of MoPac's Jenks Blue paint, both UP and MP units alike received a fresh coat of blue paint before delivery.

These units were among the last to come out of the former Missouri Pacific's N. Little Rock shops in a fresh coat of Jenk's Blue. (thanks to R. Keller)

Wisconsin Central (ex-UP) #3068 - is pictured here in San Antonio in 1988. Note that the numbers and number boards are not typical MP-style.

The real MP 3068, also an SD40 became UP 4068, was retired and sold to Morrison Knudsen in 1990, then rebuilt and sold to CSX in 1990. It was renumbered CSX 8449. - Steve Schuman Photo/Jay Glenewinkel Collection

Wisconsin Central (ex-MP) #4001 - IS on the otherhand a former MoPac SD40 unit, MP #3001. MP SD40s that went to WC/Oxford were re-numbered into the 4000-series while UP's were in the 3000. It is seen in San Antonio in 1988. - Steve Schuman Photo/Jay Glenewinkel Collection

The Texas Lines Switchers
Unlike switchers throughout the rest of the MoPac system during the 1940's, a few of the Texas lines switchers had diagonal "zebra striping" along the frame and front of the hood. The standard scheme for switch engines at this time was an overall black (though there is a photo or two of a switcher in Eagle blue and gray colors, normally reserved for road units).

Though most photos are black/white, the darker shading suggests these stripes were not white. At least one color photo has surfaced (on Ebay) that showed one of these black switchers with orange tiger stripes.

Known Units with "Texas Tiger Stripes":

• StLB&M #813 (GE-44 tonner) had the zebra striping on the nose of the hood and along the entire frame.
• I-GN #9156, #9158 (Alco S-2, built 1945) zebra striping
• StLB&M #9162 (Baldwin DS-4-4-1000, built 1950) zebra striping on the nose of the hood and along the entire frame.
• I-GN #9200, #9203, #9204 (EMC SW-1, built 1939) zebra striping

Some I-GN switchers built by Baldwin also reportedly carried the zebra striping.

-

MP 9162 (sublettered for StLB&M) - a Baldwin DS-4-4-1000 and #9156 (sublettered for I-GN) an ALCo S-2, both wearing orange safety, or "tiger" stripes and at work at Houston, Texas on September 9, 1950. Built in 3/49, #9162 would later be renumbered as MP 1092, it was the first unit of the first order of this 1000 hp model to go to the StLB&M. Built in 9/45, I-GN 9156 would later be renumbered as #1051. - Arthur B. Johnson Photo, T. Greuter Collection

On the MoPac, a select few GP7's had a "crew cab". These units were bought originally by the Texas & Pacific and Gulf Coast Lines.

Outwardly they looked like any regular Geep with the exception that the crew-cabs were modified with an extra set of number board cut-outs/windows that were exactly the same size as the number boards located just below the usual number boards on the short hood/nose. Behind the windows inside the cab sat a spare seat... right beside the typical toilet placement most likely. Makes you kinda think, don't it? ;)

Ed Hawkins, who is researching the subject for an article in the MPHS's Eagle newsletter, adds that the "crew-cab" GP7s used by I-GN and STLB&M (series 4116-4123) were equipped with crew-cabs (modified circa 1953):

# 4117
# 4119
# 4120
# 4122
# 4123

Since no other unit's received the crew cab, it's speculated that this modification may have been a "Texas thing" for the brakeman to ride inside the unit.

Between 1964-1967, MP's North Little Rock shops re-engined most all of the Alco-built RS-2, RS-3 and RS-11 road switchers with EMD 12-567 engines, rated at 1200 hp. MP created a new class for them, designating the RS-2 and -3 convert to GP12 and the RS-11 to GP16. In the process, the long hood was altered to accomodate the new motors, giving them an odd appearance in the eyes of ALCO aficionados. This particular solution to aging ALCo's was unique to this one road. The MoPac created hybrid locomotives were also referred to as "EMCOs" by employees.

MP 1084 - what was once an ALCO-built RS 3 is now an EMD-powered GP 12, seen at Little Rock 1/5/75.The most visible spotting features of GP 12's from RS 2's & 3's are the protruding boxy corners on the rear of the long hood and the spark arrestor-equipped exuast vents - © Brian Paul Ehni photo, used with permission.