UP # 844 @ La Junta, CO the AZ-NM Centennial Tour (day 5 of 32)

Dan pursues the elusive Living Legend east of LaJunta, CO for some rare mileage for steam on the Boise City Sub into an eastern Colorado Blizzard on Nov.2, 2011 as the celebration heads to Oklahoma. Union Pacific's Iconic Steam Locomotive No. 844 to Join State Centennial Celebrations in New Mexico, Arizona ! UP#844, will travel through the Southwestern United States to kick off state centennial celebrations in New Mexico and Arizona, respectively. No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific and will travel more than 2,900 miles from its base in Wyoming on a 32-day, nine-state tour that will honor the rich railroad heritage of the scenic Southwest. It is fitting that No. 844 will be the flag bearer for these centennial celebrations The "New Mexico/Arizona Centennial Tour" begins October 29 when No. 844 departs Cheyenne, Wyo. The train's consist, which will include passenger cars from Union Pacific's renowned Heritage Fleet, will stop in each of the following cities before arriving back in Cheyenne November 29.
Denver, Greeley, Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Colo.;
Stratford, Dalhart and El Paso, Texas ;
Tucumcari, Santa Rosa, Vaughn, Carrizozo, Alamogordo, Santa Teresa, Deming and Lordsburg, New Mexico;
Wilcox, Benson, Vail, Tucson, Coolidge, Gilbert, Tempe, Phoenix, Picacho, Casa Grande, Gila Bend,Wellton and Yuma, Ariz.;
Niland, Thousand Palms, Colton and Yermo, Calif.;
Kelso, Las Vegas, Moapa, Caliente and Modena, Nev.;
Milford, Delta, Lynndyl, Faust, Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah;
Evanston, Rock Springs, Wamsutter, Rawlins, Medicine Bow and Laramie, Wyo.
No. 844, also known as Union Pacific's "Living Legend," returned to service in 2005 after one of the most extensive steam locomotive overhauls in the United States since regular steam service ended. The work, which started in 2000, included overhauling the locomotive's running gear, pumps, piping, valves and springs, along with replacement of its firebox and extensive boiler work. The cab interior also was refurbished. No. 844 was the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad and was delivered in 1944. A passenger locomotive, it pulled such widely known trains as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger. When diesel-electric locomotives took over all passenger train duties, No. 844 was placed in freight service in Nebraska between 1957 and 1959. It was saved from being scrapped in 1960 and held for special service.The engine has run hundreds of thousands of miles as Union Pacific's ambassador of goodwill. It has made appearances at Expo '74 in Spokane, the 1981 opening of the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans and the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Los Angeles Union Station in 1989. During the 1990s, No. 844 pulled numerous Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days specials and visited several Oklahoma cities during the Oklahoma Centennial in 2007. In 2010, No. 844 traveled to Harlingen, Texas, and Milliken, Colo., to be a part of those communities' heritage celebrations. Earlier this year the locomotive traveled 2,500-miles pulling the Little Rock Express Tour special as well as being on public display during the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., and pulling the Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days train.One of the rail cars that travels with No. 844 has a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) transmitter. The GPS system is integrated with a map on UP's website. Enter the word "Steam" in the search box on the homepage for a shortcut to the map.
Website visitors will be able to access route maps with varying amounts of detail. The GPS system will update the map every five minutes showing No. 844's location. GPS updates are also available at http://twitter.com/UP_Steam.
Please Read the rest at -
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/heritage_and_steam/2011/1010_centennial...

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• Centennial
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• Union
• Pacific
• UP
• 844
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[kearthfan101]

Are you gonna be chasing all the way to California and back? If you're gonna be at the Bloomington (West Colton) display, try to find me. I'll be wearing a "Kearth 101" hat.

[SkipW]

@kearthfan101 I We cant afford the gas for that, so we will b e counting on you friend !

[jwyoder]

I live in La Junta. I was working in my office when I heard the whistle and rushed down to the station. I did chase #844 for several miles out of La Junta, so I was probably in that line of cars with you. What a show! Thanks for sharing.

[BNSF7776]

Hey lookie there Skip! 2:38 theres my maroon ford and I'm right at the crossing. Gotta love that white out of steam!

[BigUnitBeef]

I love the SNOW!

[daletennyson]

Skip you are the greatest. Thanks

[Bjornv1975]

Another great clip, Thanks Skip!!!

[chuckwin100]

What is the top speed of the 844?

[BigCowboy1963]

Sehr schön, Thanks

[EMDX90]

I can't wait to see 844 goin up Cajon. I found a great spot there last weekend and I hope it won't be too crowded.

[jagafoto]

Great video!