Steamer 4-8-4 UP 844 Visits Southern California (November 2011)
Part I (of I-III)
While most of the crowds were at West Colton Yard’s Pepper Ave. overpass on November 17, 2011, K.P. was with just a sole interested passerby on Ranch Ave. in Colton. After three hours, UP 844 finally came.
After the above cross BNSF traffic was by, it still waited … and waited …
Then it came.
Continued in Part II
Steamer 4-8-4 UP 844 Visits Southern California (November 2011)
Part II (of I-III)
A closer, wider angled view:
Towards the tail of the steam special, three “Astra Dome” cars were in tow.
Looking west from Rancho Ave., UP 844 approaches Pepper Ave. (upper left).
UP workers acted like railfans and rushed to get another look (kicking up dust, lower right).
Continued in Part III
Steamer 4-8-4 UP 844 Visits Southern California (November 2011)
Part III (of I-III)
The kicked up dust fell on the three dome cars too.
In the above photo, the black line on the bottom is the west side Rancho Ave. guard railings.
And, then the train was gone …
As a Location Reference
Colton is kind of at the far western reaches of San Timoteo Canyon (which is part of Beaumont Hill). The below photo was shot before the others above, but the steepness of the area east of Colton can be seen in the below view.
The track alignment shift that UP 844 has just past is by the Mt. Vernon Ave. overpass. The other background overpasses are related to a little farther east I-215, and transition bridges with I-10 (out of view on the left).
For those not in the know, UP 844 is scheduled to head north to Cajon Pass and further north (east) to Yermo (near Barstow) Saturday (November 19, 2011).