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

[UPTRAIN]

I'll be chasing it from Hope to NLR, AR on Wednesday, spend the day in NLR Thursday, and chase it to Russelvlle, AR on Friday. UP loses things all the time, they have a list on the employee website of lost equipment. If you find it, it's brownie points or some other reward.

[Anonymous]

Hm.

I will intercept the train at the One Track Mind Hobby Shop when it comes from Hope to Little Rock there is probably going to be a bunch of folks there.

I may try to catch it leaving across one of the bridges on the Arkansas River but doubt it.

I guess Arkansas is ready for it.

[Anonymous]

I have laid out several intercept points so if done right I will have several videos.

I will also return to visit the engine Thursday while it is on Display, perhaps additional videos of it at rest. Hopefully the people wont crowd too close.

Friday I hope to take a moment to catch it leaving Little Rock. They state that the departure is 8 am; would like it to actually leave at 8 (Taking wife to appt at 9 LOL) maps indicate that they have a wye of some kind between the train and bridge. be nice to understand if they have to turn the train before leaving.

[Anonymous]

Last Update: 05/22/2006 07:48:08 PM CDT
Located near PALESTINE, TX
Currently Stopped

[spbed]

My son saw 844 in Austin on Sunday. He said he was suprised how many people were there looking at it.

[Anonymous]

It's backed out of it's spot in Marshall and onto the main as of 20 minutes or so ago.

I am on the way to Mabelvale to intercept the train as it comes thru from Hope.

Hopefully it will be a good sun for a video.

[zardoz]

OVERTON — Union Pacific Railroad's steam locomotive No. 844 stopped in Overton Tuesday morning as part of the South Central Express Heritage Tour. The 35-day tour through 10 states serves to celebrate the railroad's history and heritage. Overton was selected as one of only two East Texas cities for a "whistle stop" during the tour.

The locomotive's stop in Overton resulted from the work of the Greater East Texas Train Society and the City of Overton. Overton resident Jay Tatum spoke with Union Pacific and convinced them to stop in Overton.

A large crowd gathered Tuesday morning to greet No. 844, the second-largest operating steam locomotive in the world, as it stopped. Parked vehicles lined the street parallel to the railroad 20 minutes before the locomotive's scheduled arrival.

Among these early arrivals were David and Zella Hash. The Hashes, residents of Longview, came because David has always liked trains. "The upstairs of our shop is full of trains," Zella said. They thought that most of the people in attendance had never seen an old steam locomotive. "This is something kids need to see," David said.

A usually sparsely populated parking lot became a sea of bright yellow school buses from which floods of schoolchildren sprang. Overton classes ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade lined the boundary marking the closest safe distance for the crowd. Pam Vetsch, a third-grade teacher, said her students were excited to see the train. "We have been discussing the history of railroads in class," she said.

The train arrived slightly behind schedule. "It's late, of course," noted one woman. "They are always late."

The tardiness did nothing to dampen the excitement of its arrival, though. As word spread that it was nearing, people began to gather as close as they safely could to the tracks. The crowd burst into cheers as the giant locomotive came into view.

"I can't believe it's so big," said Amy Heisel, a Kilgore resident who came to see the train with her two nephews. She explained that the boys, Tucker and Hudson, had always liked trains. "They always want toy trains when we go places," she said.

Then there were accidental tourists. Don Nosser, who lives outside of Overton, explained that he found out about the train as he was purchasing groceries that morning. He returned to his house to get his camera. He said he wanted to send pictures of the locomotive to his nephew in Washington. "This is also a social event," Nosser said.

Tatum explained that the locomotive stop was part of a proposal he submitted to the city council. The three-phase proposal would lead to the construction of a depot and an oil derrick by the railroad in Overton.

http://www.news-journal.com/news/content/news/stories/05242006Trainstop.html

[Anonymous]

It is moving toward Hope, Arkansas, and should be there by 11 this morning. This afternoon it will move on and head to North Little Rock, Arkansas. It is scheduled to arrive by 4 pm and will be on display Thursday all day. It will be between the Jenks Shops and the 4th Street office building. [:D] [8D] [:D]

[Train 284]

To bad it's not coming out to California anytime soon. [V]

Anyway, keep me updated on 844's progress!

[Anonymous]

If you are tracking 844 today by its GPS system then be warned the GPS system is way off. It left Hope, Arkansas about 12:45 but according to the GPS system it is still south of Atlanta, Texas. For some reason it is showing the time as 10:48. This is incorrect so be advised it is in Arkansas. It is however, running almost 2 hours late.

Zach (UPTrain) just called with the report that he is pacing the train (or trying to [:o)] ). So we will have another update this afternoon. [:)]

[videomaker]

Hey everybody,
How good (mph) is good time?The last time I chased 3985 it was running at least 70mph...Happy rails...Let's see some pics...Danny

[Anonymous]

Zach reports they have been stuck in a traffic jam for 30 to 45 minutes. [B)]

He said they move about 30 feet every now and then. [:(]

They think it will get better in a few minutes. [^]

They don't know traffic coming into Little Rock at rush hour. [:p] [:o)] [}:)]

[Anonymous]

I intercepted the train at Mabelvale and got some video. I will upload later tonight.

There were many trains ahead of it. My anxiety level was high until the Fireman on the next to last train said "He's should be behind us!" and lo and behold it was.

We were relying on people calling the hobbyshop all day for updates.

It will take some time to process the raw tape and upload tonight. I will link to it here when done.

[UPTRAIN]

My dad, and a friend, and I chased the 844 from Hope, AR to Malvern. We watched it pull in, get serviced and leave Hope. We then chased it and outran it 2 miles south of Arkadelphia, where we watched it, it hit the detector doing 69 mph. We then went into Arkadelphia where it briefly stopped at the depot, we went on out to the Ouchita River Bridge and shot it coming over the long bridge. From there, we experienced a horrible traffic jam in the Malvern Area. We finally got on the road back over to the interstate and came over the bridge and there she was, simmering at the depot! So we shot her there, too. And here I sit at Jim's house, lol. We shot video and still images at all locations, I made the stills, my friend made the video, my dad drove, thanks ya'll! Right now she's on public display all day tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Here is the Mabelvale Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd0rcdB5FmA

It's live and ready to be viewed

The only problem is that NOISY traffic behind me. Next time I pick a nice quiet rural crossing where only crickets and birds are hollering.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve

Here is the Mabelvale Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd0rcdB5FmA

It's live and ready to be viewed

The only problem is that NOISY traffic behind me. Next time I pick a nice quiet rural crossing where only crickets and birds are hollering.

Thanks for the link and video. I have dial up and it takes soooooo long to view a vid this way. I watched a little of it and will watch more as time permits.

Thanks again.

[Train 284]

Thanks for all the updates guys!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by Safety Valve

Here is the Mabelvale Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd0rcdB5FmA

It's live and ready to be viewed

The only problem is that NOISY traffic behind me. Next time I pick a nice quiet rural crossing where only crickets and birds are hollering.

Thanks for the link and video. I have dial up and it takes soooooo long to view a vid this way. I watched a little of it and will watch more as time permits.

Thanks again.

That there is a 60 Megabyte file. I will make some VCR copies and CD's availible at the LHS eventually.

Perhaps a University Library or similar will have the broadband connection where you can bypass the dailup problem.

[Anonymous]

GPS fixed and working fine.

[UnionPacific3985]

Here are some of my pics from the 844's visit to Little Rock & North Little Rock.

844 arriving at Union Station while a coal train was also passing.


I took the color out and faded this pic to make it look as if it were taken when the 844 could have been a common site.

Inside of the cab while it was on display at the NLR yard.

Front of locomotive while on display.

Taken this morning as the 844 departed NLR.

If anyone would like me to email them the hi-res original pics I would be more than happy to, just let me know.

[Anonymous]

Great Pictures.

I caught it already turned and ready to leave North Little Rock while on the I-30 overpass at about 8:20. I was not in position to get any video on it.

[Anonymous]

Was your last photo taken in the Levy/Amboy area? It looks like it was.

I cheated and used my railroad privilege to get photos from areas when non-railroad people couldn't be. [;)] But honestly I think now I might have actually found a better place. But you know, you live and learn.

[richardy]

Is the Van Buren tie up statement correct? If true then I need to stay home. I was going to meet it at Inola, OK. The schedule on the UP website still indicates a Claremore, OK tie up for tonight.

Richard

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by richardy

Is the Van Buren tie up statement correct? If true then I need to stay home. I was going to meet it at Inola, OK. The schedule on the UP website still indicates a Claremore, OK tie up for tonight.

Richard

Thanks Richard for pointing that out. I had not had my morning coffee yet when I posted first thing this morning. [B)]

My wires were crossed because they usually go from NLR to Van Buren all in one day. For some reason they changed it this trip. That might have been a good thing though because they left NLR 30 minutes late and were running behind schedule all day Friday. The Van Buren sub is pretty busy and they had the 844 wait for several train headed to NLR.

[Anonymous]

Hey Richard

If you get a chance please do us all a big favor. There was a question as to IF the 844 had cab signals. Well, it does. Their is a indicator on the fireman's side just above eye level. If you get a chance would you take a photo of it and post it here. It is possible there is another indicator on the engineer's side but I am not sure about that. So if you could also check on that and let us know it would be greately appreciated.

Thanks a ton.

Jim

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Was your last photo taken in the Levy/Amboy area? It looks like it was.

I cheated and used my railroad privilege to get photos from areas when non-railroad people couldn't be. [;)] But honestly I think now I might have actually found a better place. But you know, you live and learn.

I believe it was pretty close to the I-40/Levy exit. I am not sure. The geography sure looks like it as the tracks run along that one road that I woukld use to get down to the turn off towards the Towbin VA Facility.

[Anonymous]

Sunday's Schedule

1st Morning Leg -- Claremore, OK, to Coffeville, Kansas

2nd Morning Leg -- Coffeville, Kansas, to Duran, Kansas

Afternoon Leg -- Duran, Kansas to Kansas City, Missouri

It arrives in KC about 6 pm depending on traffic flow during the day.

[UnionPacific3985]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Was your last photo taken in the Levy/Amboy area? It looks like it was.

Yes that was where I was at. About 1/4 mile down from the Military Drive crossing.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by UnionPacific3985

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Was your last photo taken in the Levy/Amboy area? It looks like it was.

Yes that was where I was at. About 1/4 mile down from the Military Drive crossing.

Thanks William for the answer. [^]


If you are near Kansas City make sure and stop by and see it. It is on display today until 5 pm.

[Trainnut484]

Hello Jim and all,

UP 844 pulled into Kansas City Union Station around 5pm yesterday, which was ahead of schedule.

UP 844 just arrived and the crew are cleaning the drivers and doing other maintenance. Click to enlarge.


Take care,

Russell