Audio Transcript:
The Western Pacific Railroad had eight GP-9 locomotives, numbered 725-732.
When the Union Pacific acquired the WP in 1982, six of the eight were still on the roster and four of them (725, 729, 731 and 732) were repainted into UP colors and renumbered UP 300, 304, 306 and 308. These units saw service on many areas of the old WP and SN until 1984 when they were sold to a regional railroad in Iowa.
In 1995, the FRRS purchased two of these units (ex WP 725 and WP 731) and brought them home to Portola. The 725 and 731 are two of the only three remaining WP GP9s. The other WP 727 is on display in Elko Nevada.
Cosmetically these units are not much to look at, but with one look into the engine compartments, it is clear that we have well-maintained units on our hands. They should be excellent runners after restoration is completed.
