Union Pacific SD40-2 Blows Dynamic Brake Fan

This Video was shot by my friend Tony Johnson on May 24, 1991 and here is the story on this video in his words.

"I as filming UP action there when I head this westbound approach with a sick horn. Right after the engineer blows for the road crossing, the dynamic brakes on UP3582 blows sky high with a loud bang. In the video I said "it looks like it blew it's turdocharger", but as UP3582 rolled past me I could see a hole and fire inside the dynamic brake grid with sparks and molten metal falling onto the walkway.

I mentioned that I thought the crew would call the fire department, but they didn't. I drove two miles itto Cozad and found the same UP local switching a local customer as if nothing had happen. the fire was out and the unit sounded normal.

At the time UP were running their trains like streetcars on the double track mainline. I was surprised when the UP dispatcher allowed the local to get back on the main line and continue west, which i also photographed. The train got about five miles out of town and UP3582 died on the main, tying up everything. The UP dispatcher was not pleased ."