Union Pacific No. 844

[Faulkner]

There has been much ado in the local media the past few days announcing the rare opportunity to view one of the last big operational steam locomotives as it travels through Arkansas. My wife, ever the photographer, talked me into taking a day off and making the trek to central Arkansas as No. 844 traveled across the state through the Arkansas River valley.

Steam Locomotive No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad. It was delivered in 1944. A high-speed passenger engine, it pulled such widely known trains as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger. When diesels took over all of the passenger train duties, No. 844 was placed in freight service in Nebraska between 1957 and 1959. It was saved from being scrapped in 1960 and held for special service.

We split up once we got to Conway, Arkansas. I dropped her off where she could get pictures from a county road overpass. Years ago I was involved in a hunt for a missing child down in that part of the state and knew of a train tunnel that went through a hill and under US Hwy 64. It is off the beaten path and difficult to find, so that's where I wanted to go set up for my pictures.

The sound, feel, and smells of a big steam locomotive going by is thrilling and I'm not really a "train guy", but it seemed to be a historic moment and we enjoyed it. Here are a few pictures for the train fans on the forum.

 

[Faulkner]

One more shot as it passed right by me.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Great photos, I love to watch train videos on u tube.

Leon

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I saw 844 down in Alamogordo.
It's impressive!

 

[67tempest]

Got a chance last month to take a ride on a train in PA pulled by a coal fired steam locomotive built in the 1920's. Was a lot of fun and you can definitely smell the burning coal! Heard a passenger ask the engineer how much water our 10 mile trip used and he told him about 1000 gallons. Had no idea they consumed so much water.

As the train sat waiting for everyone to board there was water and steam leaking out of the locomotive everywhere. It was an experience to be standing next to the locomotive while it belched and puffed. It was stated that is cost approximately $1,000,000.00 to restore the locomotive and $300k to restore a train car.

 

[DavidWJ]

844 is a regular attendee at the Sacramento Rail Museum. It's an awesome sight and sound!

 

[crazyphil]

I remember the old steam engines very well. Got to ride behind quite
a few of them. Those were the days. Gone but not forgotten. Thanks
for the memorys.

 

[crazyphil]

Speaking of steam engines, do you remember this?

They gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia
saying Steve your way behind time
This is not 38 it's old 97 and you must put her into Spencer on time.

He looked around and said to his black, greasy fireman,
just shovel on a little more coal
and when we reach that White Oak Mountain
we can watch old 97 roll.

It's a mighty long road from Lynchburg to Danville
on a line of a three mile grade
it was on that grade that they lost their average
so you can see what a jump they made.

They were going down grade making 90 miles an hour
when the whistle broke into a scream.

He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
and was scalded to death by the steam.

Now ladies, you must take warning
from this time on and learn

never speak harsh words to your true love or husband
he may leave you and never return.

Sorry if not exactly right, it's from another memory.

 

[hardcase60]

carzyphil,

"Wreck of the Old '97" a great train song. FYI, you did good, especially from memory. hardcase60

 

[medic15al]

I've always wanted to know what those shields were for on the sides of the front of the engine?

 

[Faulkner]

844 is a regular attendee at the Sacramento Rail Museum. It's an awesome sight and sound!

No. 844 is based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Apparently it does not get out this far east very often and it's certainly been drawing in the crowds. I talked to one old timer in Conway, Arkansas, and he said he's not seen this many people congregate near the tracks downtown since Truman was running for president.

 

[les.b]

Faulkner:

Thanks so much for the memories!!! I remember some of the steam locomotives from my childhood here in coal country, West Virginia, even though they were phasing in the diesels back then. What a beautiful sight. Just don't get stopped at a railroad crossing when a mile long coal train was passing...you'd be there for quite awhile!!! Some of my family worked on the trains, and my GF's grandfather was an Engineer.

Thanks again for sharing.

Best Regards, Les

 

[Lee Barner]

is that the one that sat outside the Union Pacific HQ in Omaha for many years? it looks like to me as I passed it every time I went to the airport. it's been over 20 years now since I left NE. lee

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Thanks for the great photos! My uncle lived in Moline, Illinois back in the 50's. He was an engineer on a local line and had a siding along side of his house where he parked his engine every night. My fondest memories are when we went to visit him and he would take my brother and me, along with my cousins, on a ride down the tracks. Since he didn't have his Fireman along, it was up to us kids to keep the firebox full of coal. I just remember it was terribly hot and dirty in the cab, but sitting on my uncle's lap and blowing the whistle was a once in a lifetime thrill I'll never forget.

 

[Ogandydancer]

Speaking of steam engines, do you remember this?

They gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia
saying Steve your way behind time
This is not 38 it's old 97 and you must put her into Spencer on time.

He looked around and said to his black, greasy fireman,
just shovel on a little more coal
and when we reach that White Oak Mountain
we can watch old 97 roll.

It's a mighty long road from Lynchburg to Danville
on a line of a three mile grade
it was on that grade that they lost their average
so you can see what a jump they made.

They were going down grade making 90 miles an hour
when the whistle broke into a scream.

He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
and was scalded to death by the steam.

Now ladies, you must take warning
from this time on and learn

never speak harsh words to your true love or husband
he may leave you and never return.

Sorry if not exactly right, it's from another memory.

I live bout 75 or 80 miles from Danville and, most folks don't realize unless they are from the area that that song is about a true event.

 

[Ogandydancer]

There is a program I watch a lot on Monday nights on RFD TV called Trains and Locomotives and, deals a lot with old steam trains. It airs at 6 PM eastern. Most of the time there is some fantastic scenery that you can't see anywhere else.

 

[twodog max]

My wife and I caught 844 at the stop in Russellville. I am a train nut. Come by it honest as my dad, granddad and great granddad were lifelong railroaders. I have seen 844 several times in the past when it came through the last time was not to long before my dad passed away and we saw it together. It is really something to see and hear. I sure appreciate the Union Pacific for their steam program keeping history alive. I am looking forward to 4014 the Big Boy when it becomes operational in a few years. It is so big it may not come to Arkansas but if not I will just go to Cheyenne.

 

[crazyphil]

medic15al what shields are you asking about? Are there the shields
you are wondering about on the engine shown in OPs photos above?
You don't mean the cow catcher do you? Union Pacific has a shield
shaped logo I think with stars and stripes.

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

Thanks for the great photos.

UP 844 has the interesting distinction of being the only steam locomotive in the US that was never retired from "Active" service. Even though it's mostly used for PR and for moving brass around, it still steps in and hauls the occasional revenue train.

The Union Pacific is the only major railroad to truly embrace its history. They keep both 844 and a Challenger in service, and now have a Big Boy that is in the process of being returned to service.

Contrast that with CSX, which won't even allow live steam.

Fortunately, NS does at least allow live steam on their track. It would be a real problem for the now operation N&W 611 if they didn't.

 

[federali]

Train Buff Here

For those interested, this locomotive is referred to as a Northern, based upon it's wheel arrangement under the Whyte System. Four lead wheels, eight drivers and four trailing wheels. If it had only two trailing wheels, it would be classified as a Mountain.