Union Pacific DDA40X “Centennial” 6936 will lead its first public main line excursions in ten years this September. The locomotive’s owner, Railroading Heritage of Midwest America, is operating two excursions over the Iowa Interstate Railroad from the nonprofit’s base in Silvis, Ill., to Winton, Iowa, and Bureau Jct., Ill. 

The Centennial, one of 47 eight-axle units built by EMD for UP in 1969, was once part of UP’s heritage fleet and last led a public excursion in 2015. In 2022, it was donated to RRHMA, which has taken over the former Rock Island shops in Silvis. The engine was restored to service in 2023 and has appeared at events in Silvis, but has not yet run on the main line. 

On Saturday, September 20, the locomotive will lead an 8.5-hour round trip from Silvis to Wilton and back. The next day, Sunday, September 21,, it will operate from Silvis to Bureau Jct. and return. The train is expected to include former UP cars from the RRHMA fleet and some open-air cars from the Iowa Interstate fleet. Funds from the trips will support the Central States Steam Preservation Association, which maintains two Chinese-built 2-10-2 QJ locomotives, and Operation Lifesaver. For more information and tickets, visit rrhma.com.

—Justin Franz