Union Pacific Roundhouse Remnants -- Cheyenne WY
N 41° 07.787 W 104° 48.835
13T E 515619 N 4553181
The Google Earth satellite view reveals the footprint of the historic Union Pacific Railroad Shops in downtown Cheyenne Wyoming -- which is very difficult to see from the ground.
Waymark Code: WMF87T
Location: Wyoming, United States
Date Posted: 09/08/2012
Views: 7
From the Wyoming State Historic Preservation site:
"The Union Pacific roundhouse, turntable and machine shop are located in the west central portion of the Union Pacific rail yards in Cheyenne. . . . The roundhouse was constructed in 1931 and is a massive wedge-shaped brick building with a three-tiered roof. The 126-foot diameter continuous span type turntable and control house were constructed in 1941 and replaced a smaller turntable dating from 1911. The turntable has a rail-embedded circular concrete apron and is considered an integral component of the roundhouse facility. The Union Pacific roundhouse, turntable, and machine shop are historically significant due to their unique engineering attributes designed for a single function, the maintenance and storage of steam locomotives. The structures are also significant due to their relationship to the continued development of the first transcontinental railroad and its effect on the formation and growth of Cheyenne and the Territory and State of Wyoming."
The reality is that only a small fragment of the roundhouse and shops remain. Most of these historic buildings were demolished in the 1960s, at the end of the steam era. The buildings that remain today are used by the UP Steam Program, the only such program operated by a Class I railroad. Two steam locomotives, the UP 844 (a 4-8-4 Northern) and the Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 (a 4-6-6-4 simple articulated Mallet-type) are the stars, but the UP 6936 is no slouch -- she is the largest diesel electric locomotive ever built, and often travels with the 3985 and the 844.
Visit Instructions:
Please provide another photo of the location. You don't have to be in there shot, but you can. The photo requirement is to discourage any armchair visiting.