by Boston-and-Maine
Did UP ever use any of their GE8500 GTEL's for passenger service, or were they limited to freight hauling only?
Railroad Forums
Moderator: GOLDEN-ARM
westr wrote:All Union Pacific's turbines were intended for freight service. I can't imagine any circumstances where the 8500-hp version would have pulled a passenger train.However the OP who stated they didnt have steam generators is wrong. At least several of them did. But they were for heating the heavy bunker grade oil they burned so it could be pumped.
Supposedly the double-cabbed demonstrator #50 (which wore full UP paint & lettering) was tested on passenger trains. Back in the 30s there were a couple of short-lived steam turbines that may have been used on passenger trains during their short unsuccessful careers.