Santa Fe U-28 and 30-CG's an Introduction Part 1 in Tales of the Jointed Track

The U-28-CG and the U-30-CG model series were General Electrics move into Passenger locomotives. They still, may “dabble’, with orders from AMTRAK.

The U-28-CG ( U, Universal-28, 2800 horsepower-C 6 powered axles G steam generator).

A set of U-28-CG’s leading the “TEXAS CHIEF” into Ft Worth, TX

The U-30-CG is basically the same, except for the following:
The locomotive is 3000 horsepower on 6 powered axles, and it a covered “cowl” or carbody unit. Like the F units the EMD produced, from the FT’s thru the F-45.

A U-30-CG, which still displays the Santa Fe Warbonnet scheme for passenger, but renumbered for freight service.

An ex passenger EMD FP-45, still not renumbered to the 5900 series, a sad looker, but there to pull freight. Was re-geared at Barstow shops, and will hit the paint booth, when it can. Although this unit is not a GE locomotive, this and the F units were the car body prototypes, for many locomotive builders.

When the U-28 and 30-CG’s were ordered, this was the last gasp of revenue passenger trains, operated by the railroad companies. When I was growing up Denver had a big passenger train contingent. The UP had the City of Denver, which went and served Denver to Chicago. The CB&Q (Burlington) had the Chicago to Denver segment of the California Zeyphr. The C&S operated two passenger trains one went north toward Cheyenne and on up to Sheridan WY. The other went south into Ft Worth Tx. The Rock Island (CRI&P) came into Denver, with the Rocky Mountain Rocket. The “Rocket” split at Limon, CO, and a separtate section ran into Colorado Springs. The Rio Grande (D&RGW) had three trains. Two went into Salt Lake City. One was the Prospector, an advance premium train and the California Zephyr, which the Rio Grande picked up, from the CB&Q, on arrival. The other went into the terminus in northwestern, CO at Craig. That was the Yampa Valley Mail. The Santa Fe (AT&SF) had a small train, that ran into La Junta, CO and met up with the El Capitan and the Super Chief. The last of the “players” was the Missouri Pacific (MP), which ran a passenger train out of Denver and on into Kansans City via Pueblo, CO and eastward.

When AMTRAK came into being, the Santa Fe regeared their passenger locomotives, and placed them in freight service. Some of the U-28-CG’s were placed, to operate the New York City to Los Angeles mail train, that was received off the New York Central, at Chicago. As newer power came into being, they were in mostly second class or drag freight operations.

Looking forward out of the windshield of a U-28-CG, and as you can see the engineer’s seat has been removed. It is probably a “Builders” photo. From the left, The automatic brake valve and the independent. The gauges are the AMP Meter ( far left ) then the associated air gauges,, Equalizing reservoir and Main reservoir pressure. Next, Train line or Brake pipe and Independent brake cylinder pressure. Next is a steam gauge off the Vapor Clarkson, for heat and air conditioning. The long handle to the right is the Throttle and/or controller for Power and Dynamic brake. This was and older controller. It had half notches, like 1/2 - 1 - 1 1/2 etc.. so throttle 8 is wide open. That would be Notch 16..lol, my theory is this was a left over design, from the electrics, and you could half step up the current off the catenary wire. The old U-25-B’s , The U-25 and 28-C’s and the U-30-CG’s had them. To the far left, of the throttle, was the transition lever. You could, manually place older locomotives into the proper transition, if not automatic and this also allowed you to place into Dynamic braking, as needed. The rest are asscociated switches, and headlight controlled, The Big rectangle between the windows is the speed recorder and old cable operated BARCO or Chicago Pneumatic.

The U-30-CG a compartment door nightmare

This was cowl body unit. Streamline, like the older EMD F units or the FP-45’s. This was like a fun house with door after door after door.

Scenario :
Its it two back from the head end. Checking the power:
The nose door, open up, and a small ladder to the cab. Maybe some air equipment exposed, but that isn’t my concern at this time.

Cab:
Into the nose door. Up the steps and into the cab … It is what it is, a second door into the Cab. Check the brake valves for the proper set up. Yes, the Automatic brake valve is cut-out, Independent brake valve , is out as well. The headlight M.U. switch is as single or intermediate unit. There are two doors engineers side and fireman’s side, to the steam generator room. They have hard latches, meaning you have to use a handle to access, and they latch shut.

The Steam Generator room:

This is a wide expanse, the Vapor Clarkson steam generators have been removed. The toilet is there too. Stinks, due to being an INCINOLET, really, who thought that up. These units reek.!!! Okay TMI. Since these are cowl or carbody types, there are doors on each side of the unit for the engine room. The doors now are a push and/or pull, with a swinging hinge. There is a switch for the lights, that turn on all the lights in here and in the engine room.

The Traction motor blower and Auxiliary Generator room:
This is probably a 6 to 8 foot compartment. It houses the Aux Generator and the air intakes for the traction motor blowers. What!!! another door, maybe I should drop bread crumbs..

The Engine Room:
The 16 FDL diesel in in here. It’s still loud, when idling, due to the sound resounding off the enclosure. The cooling water tank, and the sight glass are here too, on what is referred to the Auxiliary end of the diesel. Water is rising up and down in the sight glass. “FULL AT IDLE” yes where it needs to be. Oil is where it should be on the dipstick. .

The Dynamic brake/ Cooling Fan/Air Compressor room:
What another door? I am waiting for a hand and the laughing clown to appear next!!

The air compressor is here , it has a Sight gauge. It shows in the green range. The air intake for the radiators and dynamic brake grids are on your left walking toward the end of the locomotive (That is if I find my way out of here ) There is another bank of grids on the other side. There is the rotating cooling fan, in the center, driven off the diesel. There is a mesh, that protects you from the grids and the fan. You can feel the rush of air being drawn in. At the end of the unit, there is a mesh gate, that allows access for the mechanical people. Another door, with a hard latch and handle. and it is in the center. I may be able find civilization,lol. I open it. Oh fresh air sunlight.. I am free…!!!

I’ll relate a few trips with the U-28 and 30 CG’s Thanks again for reading .

Last updated August 22, 2015