Today is a big day for 4-8-4s

Today is a special day for steam locomotive lovers. Two 4-8-4s are in operation in the United States. Most days, a census of such machines would result in the most empty number there is: Zero. The number of days that locomotives this big are in steam in the early 21^st century is as rare and as fleeting as a solar eclipse over every existing roundhouse in the country. But take comfort, friends, relax, and have another black coffee, hazelnut latte, or coke as your personal preference guides you and try to imagine this: Norfolk & Western No. 611 racing in the darkness, acting for all the world like an O. Winston Link photo, arriving at dawn today (after an all night run from Spencer, N.C., to get ahead of a closure to cut in new double track) in her hometown, Roanoke, Va., just about the same time Union Pacific No. 844 is sending a burst of pure white steam into the Arkansas sky, impatient to head westbound, to go home after 10 days on the road, ready to return to its cowboy roots in Wyoming. Delightful isn’t it?  

The thought of two of the best 4-8-4s ever built still running at age 72 and 66 years, respectively, is reassuring: The best creations of mankind cannot be pushed aside by time, changes in railroading’s leadership or processes, or the dearth of locations that are equipped to maintain these industrial age dinosaurs. They are timeless, impressive, and much beloved. They have their patrons who will find a way to keep them alive. Indeed, No. 611 arose from a 21-year slumber in 2015, thanks to Norfolk Southern’s significant support and the contributions and hard work of hundreds, while No. 844 returned from a 3-year stint in the shop because of UP’s belief that the never-retired Northern is its Goodyear blimp, its elder goodwill ambassador, its surrogate to proclaim to all who witness its magnificence that UP has been here since 1862, and, by golly, there’s no reason to believe that it will not around 100 years from now. It is as permanent as the 844 is elegant.

So, rejoice, my fellow steam fans, for today is a victory. What was once a daily occurrence 60 years ago is now a rare event. But it still can happen. Miracles still take place even in our jaded and cynical world: The Cubs are going to the World Series aren’t they? In a few days both of these famous steeds will be cold once more, their dynamos silenced, boilers drained, destined to sleep out the rest of 2016. Only the anticipation of 2017 excursions and special events will sustain u But for one bright shining day in late October 2016, all was right with the world once more -- on the day that two 4-8-4s were in steam in America.

PS: Events like this and plenty of big locomotives under steam are why we're preparing a special 100-page issue and a 1-hour video, both called Big Steam is Back, coming in 2017. 

Jim Wrinn photo of 611 at Lexington, N.C., May 2015. UP 844 at Denver, Colo., by Hayley Enoch