by patrick1467
I am not posting this to stir up DonPevsner or anybody else.
I would like to relate a rather unique experience as a railfan.
I did have the priviledge this past weekend to see the UP 844 Steamer. You can read about the event at:
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/railroad/2 ... dule.shtml
I waited for at least an hour with quite a few others at Union Station in Denver on this past Saturday evening. I was there on Friday too to check things out and found a UP Souvenier Car. The steamer was on display Friday but I did not realize where it was and I was tired so I did not look to hard.
Anyway, the point of my posting, is to say that it was really cool to be there when the train rolled in to the station. There were 17-18 passenger cars with power cars and other support cars. These were all Rio Grande cars and diesels. They were all beautifully painted yellow and seemed to be in great condition. The 844 was awsome and in all its glory, I would say.
Tickets were available to the general public and I heard they sold out in one day. I do not know how many or if some were given to groups. I heard they sold for around $250, round trip I think.
Afterwards, I did imagine that it might still be cool if we had passenger service run by several railroads. But, they don't and they do not consider it to be valuable for their business to do that so when UP does run these "Specials" it really is special. It was a first for me to see a steamer in operation. Even at the Colorado RR Museum, they only run a steamer a couple times a summer and I could not make it this summer. There was something really special in my experience knowing that that engine went up to Cheyanne and back in one day, even though I did not ride on it.
The engine and the first several support cars turned around prior to arriving at Union Station and train was backed in. We all started by waiting on the north end of the platform and then someone heard on the scanner that the engine was being turned around so they could back in to the station. Well, many of us ending up moving off of the platform and walking up the track a little ways. They backed the cars into their spot and then pulled the engine up, switched tracks and parked on the next track at the station for the engine to be on display on Sunday. It was scheduled to return to Cheyanne Monday morning.
So, now I have that unique experience in my background as I hope to someday have career as a conductor. I am thankful for the little things in life and this would be one.
Well, I hope this helps if you have an interest and could not be there to see it in person.
I would like to relate a rather unique experience as a railfan.
I did have the priviledge this past weekend to see the UP 844 Steamer. You can read about the event at:
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/railroad/2 ... dule.shtml
I waited for at least an hour with quite a few others at Union Station in Denver on this past Saturday evening. I was there on Friday too to check things out and found a UP Souvenier Car. The steamer was on display Friday but I did not realize where it was and I was tired so I did not look to hard.
Anyway, the point of my posting, is to say that it was really cool to be there when the train rolled in to the station. There were 17-18 passenger cars with power cars and other support cars. These were all Rio Grande cars and diesels. They were all beautifully painted yellow and seemed to be in great condition. The 844 was awsome and in all its glory, I would say.
Tickets were available to the general public and I heard they sold out in one day. I do not know how many or if some were given to groups. I heard they sold for around $250, round trip I think.
Afterwards, I did imagine that it might still be cool if we had passenger service run by several railroads. But, they don't and they do not consider it to be valuable for their business to do that so when UP does run these "Specials" it really is special. It was a first for me to see a steamer in operation. Even at the Colorado RR Museum, they only run a steamer a couple times a summer and I could not make it this summer. There was something really special in my experience knowing that that engine went up to Cheyanne and back in one day, even though I did not ride on it.
The engine and the first several support cars turned around prior to arriving at Union Station and train was backed in. We all started by waiting on the north end of the platform and then someone heard on the scanner that the engine was being turned around so they could back in to the station. Well, many of us ending up moving off of the platform and walking up the track a little ways. They backed the cars into their spot and then pulled the engine up, switched tracks and parked on the next track at the station for the engine to be on display on Sunday. It was scheduled to return to Cheyanne Monday morning.
So, now I have that unique experience in my background as I hope to someday have career as a conductor. I am thankful for the little things in life and this would be one.
Well, I hope this helps if you have an interest and could not be there to see it in person.
