Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) 942 - EMD E8A

Close up of the loco's number.

Beautiful long streak of Armour yellow!!!

Most notable on the nose of the loco is the massive winged medallion. It was 10-feet wide Scotchlite decal and in three pieces - a 28" wide center section and 3' 10" long wings.

Specs - serial #18273, 2,250 hp fropm two 1,125 hp prime movers, 36-inch radiator fans were electrically driven and mounted horizontally.

Immaculate, polished Union Pacific E8A #942 was sitting in Orange Empire Ry Museum carbarn #4. Absolutely beautiful!! The Union Pacific E8A 942 is the flagship diesel locomotive of the Southern California Railway Museum (formerly known as the Orange Empire Railway Museum) in Perris, California. Built in 1953 by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division (EMD), it served the Union Pacific until 1972, pulling famous passenger trains such as the City of Los Angeles. The locomotive underwent a full mechanical and cosmetic restoration, debuting in its classic yellow, red, and grey "Streamliner" paint scheme in April 2012. It is maintained in service-ready condition and occasionally leads a matching four-car passenger consist nicknamed "The City of Perris". As of 2026, the museum offers a unique experience where visitors can pay to operate the 942 under the supervision of a qualified engineer.

This information sign was posted on the UP #942 side.

The Noses of Union Pacific E8A 942, Santa Fe FP45 108, & Southern Pacific U25B 3100 pose at SCRM for a Photo Shoot as the Sun Sets

UP E Unit 942 basks in the Evening Light at OERM for the Photographers

From Left to Right Union Pacific E8A 942, Santa Fe FP45 #108, & SP U25B 3100 pose side by side at OERM as the Photo Cession gets underway

UP E Unit 942 Rests over by Carbarn 7 during the Museum's Behind the Scenes Event

UP E8 942 Rests in OERM Coupled to a Mini UP Streamliner

UP 942 pulling an excursion at OERM while MTS 1008 looks on

Southern Pacific 3100 participates in the Orange Empire Railway Museums Spring Railfest, allowing the general public to take her for a run, while OERM 1956 and UP 942 sit on display.

For the first time in maybe ever, we ran two passenger trains on the mainline on alternate half hours. And they were full!

This was the day of her debut after refurbishment.

at Orange Empire Railway Museum

at Orange Empire Railway Museum

at Orange Empire Railway Museum

And you'll be able to run it at Orange Empire Railway Museum!

And you'll be able to run it at Orange Empire Railway Museum!

And you'll be able to run it at Orange Empire Railway Museum!

An available light shot I call "Yellow Under Yellow Light". Some final mechanical work and the lettering remain. So an end of April debut looks reasonable.

The car to the right is UP sleeping car National Scene which will be painted next.

Next to UP light weight Pullman "National Scene" to be painted at the same time.

Undergoing renovation at Orange Empire Railway Museum.