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Union Pacific 4-8-4,No 844,Denver,Colorado 21 July 2006 |
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That's what you call a steam locomotive,making yours truly look like a dwarf ! Union Pacific No 844 was the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific and was delivered in 1944 A high speed passenger engine,it was used on such trains as the Overland Limited,the Los Angeles Limited and the Portland Rose.When diesel power took over passenger haulage,No 844 was placed in freight service in Nebraska between 1957 and 1959.The engine was withdrawn in 1960 but rather than being scrapped it was held for special use.Since then it has run hundreds of thousands of miles as Union Pacific's ambassador of goodwill. Many people know this engine as 8444,since an extra 4 was added to the number in 1962 to distinguish the engine from a diesel numbered in the 800 series,The steam engine regained its rightful number in June 1989 when the diesel was withdrawn.The engine and tender are a little over 114 feet long and weigh 454 tons.The 14 wheeled tender carries 23,500 gallons of water and 6,500 gallons of fuel oil.The engine,second tender,2 E9A 2000hp diesel electrics,support coach and Union Pacific excursion train,seen to the left,were on public display at Denver Union station prior to working the Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo special the following day.( and a great trip it was ).
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