Rivet Counter HO Scale Union Pacific Black Steam Excursion Water Tender

Following the retirement of the Union Pacific GTEL 8,500 Horsepower “Big Blow” Super Turbines in the 1968-70 timeframe, the unique 23-C-GTE and 24-C-GTE fuel tenders were saved. They were repurposed for various duties around the UP system including water or fuel oil storage and for assignment to derrick outfits. While most faded into obscurity behind backshops and were eventually scrapped, several were destined for bigger things.

Tender 24-GTE-13 was renumbered to UP 907853 upon its retirement from GTEL service. Its days as a mundane water storage tank were short as it was selected for operation behind steam excursions in 1973.

Repainted solid black with billboard “Union Pacific” lettering, it regularly operated behind FEF #8444 including the Expo ’74 train in July of 1974. In April 1977, UP 907853 operated with Southern Pacific #4449 on the Freedom Train from Birmingham, AL to Seattle, WA. Ultimately, it was retired in 1984 and eventually donated to the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1992. It was united in black paint with preserved UP GTEL #18 and was eventually repainted as it appears today.