UP 844 Tour -- RECAP -- Comments -- Photos

[Anonymous]

The UP 844, a Northern class steam locomotive, will begin a 35 day, 10 state tour on April 27th.

The trip is called, South Central Express Heritage Tour 2006.

For information where you can see the 844 and when click on the link. The first link shows every state and every stop for the 844. It also shows departure and arrival times for each location. Some stops include a layover for servicing the loco or for display. Displays may last two hours or a full day, it just depends upon the location. Click the link for information that may interest you.

http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/schedule.shtml

You can also track the 844 because it will have a GPS system installed in one of the railcar. For more information on how to track the 844 click on the following link. Just click the link and a map will appear. You can use the squares at the right hand screen to zoom in and get a close up of the map.

http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/trace.cfm

[Anonymous]

It currently is spending the night in Denver.

On the 28th it will be heading to Kansas.

[FThunder11]

I f i had a ride, i would totaly go out to Limon tomarrow afternoon and see it!!! I NEED A DRIVERS LISCENSE ONLY4 monre months!!!

[Anonymous]

It does not look like it has moved according to the map. It was suspose to depart this morning at 8 am headed toward Kansas.

Does anyone out in Colorado know anything?

[gbrewer]

It is on its way now. Just a little late.

Here is a picture of it arriving in Denver yesterday:
http://www.homestaydenver.com/MiscPhotos/8442.jpg

[Train 284]

Great! Anyone have anymore pictures?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gbrewer

It is on its way now. Just a little late.

I see it is (about 12:30 Central time) at Strasburg, Colorado, and moving toward Kansas.

Any idea why it left late? [?]

And thanks for the photo link.

[Anonymous]

At about 1 pm MDT it was near Agate, Colorado, near the old US 40 and close to US 70.

[Anonymous]

The 844 schedule while in KS over the next few days: Apr 29th--Sharon Springs to Salina w/layover & display @ Salina on the 30th from 0800-1700. May 1st--Salina to Herington w/layover & dispaly at Herington on the 2nd 0800-1700. May 3rd--Herington to Pratt (on the Golden St Route). May 4th--Pratt to Guymon, OK.

[Anonymous]

It seems to be closing in on the Kansas border.

Looks like it is staying close to the old Armarillo Trail (US 40/287)

Looks like Wild Horse (Finished) and Kit Carson is next.

Been on that road so much in trucking I can almost mentally see that engine rolling thru there.

There is a little weather towards Goodland Kansas, I wonder if this was a factor in the morning's delay?

http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=gld&product=N0R&overlay=11101111&loop=no

A check of the Cheyenne Wells Weather shows a chance of rain.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.php?MapType=3&site=GLD&CiTemplate=1&map.x=100&map.y=199

[Anonymous]

It appears to be safely stopped at Sharon Springs Kansas tonight as of 8:30 pm CST.

[Anonymous]

Salina is going to be a challenge for this train tomorrow.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.php?MapType=3&site=TOP&CiTemplate=1&map.x=68&map.y=167

Does the engine have modern cab signals for bad weather running? Or is it old fashioned hang out of the cab trying to see the signals?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve

Salina is going to be a challenge for this train tomorrow.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.php?MapType=3&site=TOP&CiTemplate=1&map.x=68&map.y=167

Does the engine have modern cab signals for bad weather running? Or is it old fashioned hang out of the cab trying to see the signals?

I have seen the inside of the cab but it was years ago. I don't remember if it has cab signals or not. Maybe another forum member might know.

[Anonymous]

Elsewhere there was some confusion over which states the tour would visit. Here is a list:

Wyoming
Colorado
Kansas
Oklahoma
Texas
New Mexico
Arkansas
Nebraska

It will be in Texas twice and Kansas twice.

Just keep checking back here in this thread for its progress.

You can follow the instructions and link in the first post of this thread to trace it , if you desire to do so yourself. [;)]

[Anonymous]

Everyone is welcome to post their 844 photos in this thread.

I am looking forward to seeing it again. It has been (seems like) 10 years since it was here last. [:(]

[Anonymous]

I have never seen her in person so it will satisfy me to capture it on video tape here in Arkansas. I probably will shoot it from the Mabelvale Crossing in South Little Rock when it comes in from Hope. You can almost see a mile down the track from there.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve

I have never seen her in person so it will satisfy me to capture it on video tape here in Arkansas. I probably will shoot it from the Mabelvale Crossing in South Little Rock when it comes in from Hope. You can almost see a mile down the track from there.

Geee, we are almost neighbors, I am across the river. [;)]

Email me sometime when you have time. [^]



Does anybody know the weather the 844 is runing through today? Here in Central Arkansas we are currently having almost flash flood rain. [:0] [B)] [8] Our ditches have flooded and the road is a river. It seems to be slacking off now but it was very heavey rain for about an hour.

[Anonymous]

As of 1:15PM it is passing thru Walker, KS.

[Anonymous]

Jim,
Even with the Rain it looks like it is still rolling it is near Brookeville, KS as of 3:05PM.

[Anonymous]

It seems to be stopped safely in Salina KS.

No rain there on the radar as of 3:50 PM CST. But a low of 47 is forecast overnight.

I will research some newspapers along the route to see if they have any media coverage of this event.

[Anonymous]

I did a check of some of the area news and see some articles based on "Text" about the upcoming tour of the train but nothing I would call "Current" with shots or video of this wonderful peice of the Nation's history that is older than most of the people living today.

[Anonymous]

Caught her in western kansas on the ol' KP near ellsworth.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by samuelj

Caught her in western kansas on the ol' KP near ellsworth.

Thanks for the photo, you can post some more here if you have some.

[Anonymous]

The 844 is on display today in Salina, Kansas.

The display will last until 5 pm.

If you are in the area make every effort to go see it. [;)]

The weather today is much better than it was yesterday. (MUCH better)

[Anonymous]

More pictures:







Hoping to chase her out of Manhattan, KS to Topeka tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Good pictures, keep em coming!

[Anonymous]

Sam [^]

Nice shots. And please do keep them coming. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Apparently she just finished Topeka with the river crossing there. Moving west now.

I would imagine the weather is very nice at this time:

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.php?MapType=3&site=TOP&CiTemplate=1&map.x=265&map.y=140

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/top/

Salina had a small news article with image, curious to learn how they found a wash rack for it.

Salina

http://www.saljournal.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=7677&format=html


Previous 844 videos

http://www.railroad-crossing.com/video/up844-1.html

[jeffhergert]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve

Salina is going to be a challenge for this train tomorrow.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.php?MapType=3&site=TOP&CiTemplate=1&map.x=68&map.y=167

Does the engine have modern cab signals for bad weather running? Or is it old fashioned hang out of the cab trying to see the signals?

I think both of UP's steam engines have both UP CCS and ex-CNW ATC. The track also has to be set up for cab signal operation. Where it's at now I don't think is equipped.
Jeff

[Anonymous]

Just a reminder that the 844 is on display today in Herington until 5 pm.

Go See It. [:)]