While looking through the Stars and Stripes this morning, I came across a picture of a steam locomotive in the centerfold. The caption underneath read:
“The Union Pacific Steam Locomotive No. 844 passes near signal lights in Little Rock, Ark. The train’s 3,500 mile cross-country tour ends in Cheyenne, Wyo.”
That must have been a nice sight to see. I don’t get to see many steam engines here and when I do, it’s normally a tourist train.
Mike
Since you reference Stars and Stripes, you’re obviously overseas. The UP 844 runs only on excursion trains, too. The Union Pacific is the only major U.S. railroad that maintains two steam engines for special occasion excursions such as to the Super Bowl or a railroad centennial celebration.
I’m guessing you are serving overseas. Thank you for defending our freedom, and I hope you come home soon. I also hope you come home safe.
I was out in Colorado a number of years a go and saw 3985 in action totally by accident. I almost caused a major pile up when I saw it. I couldn’t believe my eyes. After showing the folks of Colorado what a few weeks the Dale Earnhardt school of driving can do for a person I got off the highway and did a little rail-fanning. When I got to my motel where we were staying the night the nice young lady behind the desk asked me if there were any local attractions we were planning on taking in. I said not unless you can get me a cab ride on that big locomotive I saw today. She said oh the Union Pacific Challenger 3985. I was dumbfounded. She replied oh we have a lot of folks staying here tonight and the from their fan trip, this is an over night stay for them. Ok now I am in a hotel full of train nuts and my mind is racing ok I can jump one of these old guys tie him up and steal his ticket. Then sanity came back and I just asked how far the yard was from there.So we threw our stuff in our room well I threw our stuff in our room and we got back in the car and went off to find the big challenger. I swear to you when I first laid eyes on that thing up close it was like seeing the second coming of Christ, the pyramids, the great wall of China and Elvis all at the same time. The rest of my trip was a blur after that. Unfortunately there was no way I could have bought a ticket. Even though my girlfriend at the time thought is was pretty neat she just kept shaking her head saying some boys never grow up.
a little cross connection
more images here
Yes, I am not in Mannheim supporting 5th Signal Command. Within a few years we will be moving up to Wiesbaden near Frankfurt Am Main. I am able to take the occasional excursion and am building a German themed HO Railroad in my spare bedroom.
Thanks for the replys.
Mike