Union Pacific 1243 is one of the oldest "Ten Wheelers" owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. The 1243 was built in 1890, and it operated on various branch lines of the Union Pacific in Nebraska. From the 1930s until 1956 the 1243 operated on the railroad's Encampment Branch in Wyoming. That same year, the 1243 was retired from active service. First, it resided in Rawlins, Wyoming before going to Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 1990 the 1243 was cosmetically restored and transported on a flat car in a special train to Omaha, Nebraska, where it was placed on display at the Western Heritage Museum in October 1996. This engine is called the "Harriman Engine", because it, along with sister locomotive 1242 currently displayed in Cheyenne, WY, is the only engine owned by the Union Pacific Railroad from the era when E.H. Harriman controlled the Union Pacific.
UP 1243 is a static exhibit. There are no plans to restore it to running condition.
