UP844 - Wichita,KS - Great Plains Trans. Museum -090807

[pimanjc]

UP844 at Great Plains Trans Museum - Wichita,KS - 090807

UP844 had a layover in Wichita from Friday, 9/7 to Sunday morning, 9/9.  The Wichita Area Garden RR Society sponsored a small outdoor display during the event. [picture later]

While waiting to pull on the mainline, Sunday morning, BNSF 7638 freight passed by, blowing the horn several times.  UP844 replied with a blast of the whistle in greeting.  Oldest grandson [this was his 8th birthday] said:  "Papa, when that freight went by, the ground shaked!"

UP844 pulls out onto mainline on Sunday morning.

Some detail shots:
80" drivers

The tender:  Wouldn't want a tight radius with this one.  Water capacity: 23,500gal. Fuel capacity & type: 6200gal-No.5oil

Boiler Car:

UP844 was pulling a bevy of headend, coach, dome, diner and observation cars.  Sadly, the sidding at the museum was too short to hold all the cars for exibition. She was under steam all day Saturday.

More pulling out Sunday morning.  6yo grand daughter asked: "Is it alive?"  I confirmed:  "Yes, Kelsey,, it is a living machine.  Isn't it wonderful?"  All three grandkids agreed.

Waiting to leave

Youngest grandson Luke [4yo], is convinced that UP844 is "Gordon" from Thomas the train books.

WAGRS small display:

Kids enjoyed the ground level layout. Most got down on their hands and knees for a railfan view.

Three additional pictures from rolling stock at the Museum.
Switcher

Speeder # 1

Speeder #2

Other pictures of cabeese, switchers, coaches, MOWs, were taken but have not been reduced in size for posting.

JimC.

[Anonymous]

pimanjc,

Please send me the MOW pictures if you would to my email address.

Thanks,

Toad in da Swamp

[ttrigg]

Jim;
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful event.  Love the pic's but most of all the reactions of the kids.  About 20 some years ago while I was at Ft Riley, they were moving one of the big steamers to the museum in Topeka (or was it KC?).  Wife and I as well as our little group of N-scalers watched as they rebuilt the subroadbed and installed much heavier rails.  As we were told the existing track could not handle the weight of the older steam engines.  When the day came we were standing along the tracks and could feel the ground shake a full 20 minutes before the enginge got to us.  Unfortunately those photos were lost to fire.  Please keep yours in a safe place (or multiple places) so the grand kids will be able to share their memories of you and the event with their grand kids.