Union Pacific 844 April 17, 2009

This doesn't have much to do with ham radio but it was great day. At Friday morning's coffee gathering with my ham buddies they mentioned that the big Union Pacific 844 steam engine would be passing through Colfax CA during lunch time. Colfax is about 20 minutes from Grass Valley, so off I went. Many hams chase trains, and there were a bunch following this train today. They use 146.49 to pass train spotting information. I had my scanner with rail and 146.49 frequencies with me. My HT was home. I only had my digital still camera, which also does movies. It was neat being about 3 feet away from the train as it passed through. The ground rumbles!

UP 844 Western Heritage Tour - April 11 - May 12 Cheyenne-California-Cheyenne
http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/steamtr.shtml

http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/up844.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_844

There are also may videos here on youtube, search around.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Union
• Pacific
• 844
• UP
• Western
• Heritage
• Tour
• Colfax
• Steam
• engine
• train
• spotting
• railfan
• foamer
• foamers
• feather
• river
• canyon

[K7AGE]

Another day of chasing is planned for May 2nd as the mighty 844 makes its way through the Feather River Canyon on its way home. We are planning our day with favorite lookout spots, radios, channels, cameras and so on. This time I will prepared with the real video equipment. If you are near Northern California, you may want to make your way to the tracks. I added some links to the notes section. Stay tuned. Randy

[burt2481]

Excellent production values, sound and beinf close to the train

[K7AGE]

It was fun, we are going to do it again. Randy

[CoastStarlight11]

O my gawd!!!! I paused the movie at 2:34 and I can see my self standing there right infront of the plack thing on the curbe!!!!!!

[K7AGE]

I just to the left of you. I was by the crossing gate. Randy

[K7AGE]

Checking the video in the editor, I see two guys with tripods one by the lamp post and other other closer on the sidewalk. I also saw a guy leave on a motorcycle with gear on his back.

[HorsegirlJenny]

HAHA!  Nice shot of Ed at 1:10. :p

[dale1966gto]

a steam engine energizes a crowd like nothing else. not an air show. not a drag race. not a horse race. a old steamer is like a blast from the past. it's like you're seeing a ghost....but it's for real. fantastic.

it's ironic seeing the steamer pulling the diesel. like the older more powerful father leading his son down the railway. some say steam will make a comeback. i'll believe it when i see it, sadly. it's not like the public isn't crying to see them back in service for real.

[adenunzio2000]

Thanks Randy liked it.!!

[TomAF7J]

Ah, but I think I saw the 844 in Ogden,Utah like in the beginning of April, it was there in the morning then left later that day

[TomAF7J]

The 844 will be in Ogden, Utah on May 8th, to the 10th. Do you want me to video its arrival??

[fbisceglia]

K7age de Iz8fgh

Beautiful very good .

73 de Ferruccio Iz8fgh.

[ke7feh]

WOW Randy, glad you had a great time. Thanks for sharing..