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random thoughts on railroad photography, railfanning, technology, and such

Entries from March 1, 2010 - March 31, 2010

Monday
Mar222010

A Union Pacific Living Legend Stretches Her Legs On an Eight State Tour

AuthorJoe Perry | DateMonday, March 22, 2010 at 5:00AM

Union Pacific’s famed and historic steam locomotive, No. 844, will make an eight state, 28-day tour to south Texas in celebration of the Union Pacific Railroad’s heritage.  The entire trip will encompass more than 3,500 miles.  The tour is known as the “Valley Eagle Heritage Tour” and takes it name from a former Missouri Pacific Railroad passenger train that ran over a portion of the route from 1948 until 1962.  The Missouri Pacific Railroad merged with the UP in 1982. 

The No. 844 was the last steam engine built for the Union Pacific Railroad and was delivered in 1944.  During it’s 16-year tenure at UP the No. 844 pulled some very legendary passenger trains such as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger until the dieselization of the roster was complete.  She is a Northern class locomotive which means she has 4-8-4 classification.  Weighing nearly 1 million pounds, with a loaded weight of 907,980 pounds, she is massive.

The “Valley Eagle Heritage Tour” will begin from Cheyenne, Wyoming April 2, 2010 and conclude on April 29, 2010.  The locomotive will make overnight stops and be on display in the following cities before arriving back in Cheyenne April 29:

  • North Platte, Nebraska
  • Marysville, Parsons and Coffeyville, Kansas
  • Kansas City, Missouri
  • McAlester, Oklahoma
  • Ft. Worth, Hearne, Houston, Bloomington, Raymondville, Harlingen, Palestine and Longview, Texas
  • North Little Rock and Van Buren, Arkansas

 Here is a map of the planned route provided by the Union Pacific Railroad:

Map of the scheduled route compliments of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Programs such as UP’s Steam Program are not the norm for most railroads and are costly ventures.  I thank the Union Pacific for their commitment to their history and heritage by having a steam program at all.  I would also like to commend the UP on embracing technology embodied by their extensive use of technologies such as Twitter and Facebook.

One more example of their progressive approach to technology and appreciation of fans is this web page which allows you to follow the location of their steam locomotives as they travel across the UP system on their excursions.  A Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) transmitter was installed on one of the rail cars that will travel with No. 844. The GPS system has been integrated with a map on UP’s Web site as shown:

Click to track the UP’s steam locomotives.

Union Pacific also utilizes YouTube to connect with fans and communities alike.  Here is a neat video of the No. 844 provided by the Union Pacific Railroad.  It provides a good glimpse of what chasing steel (844 steel in this case) is like.  Enjoy. 

RSS feed of UP_Steam's tweets

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Sunday
Mar212010

National Train Day - Discover and Learn About Railroads and Trains

AuthorJoe Perry | DateSunday, March 21, 2010 at 1:00PM

On May 8, 2010, in cities all across the land, there is going to be a celebration of America’s love for trains.  Amtrak is hosting, with participation from cities and organizations, the 3rd annual National Train Day to commemorate the 141st anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad completion on May 10, 1869.

The press release from Amtrak describes the event as:

“National Train Day celebrates the train‘s impact on our country and provides an opportunity for Americans to further understand the influence rail has on the future of transportation in America,” said Emmett H. Fremaux, vice president, marketing and product management, Amtrak. “With a greater national focus on energy efficiency in travel, trains are already a leading alternative with 20 percent more fuel efficiency than commercial airlines and 28 percent more efficiency than car travel per passenger mile.”

“Trains have always been an important part of this country‘s fabric and with the spotlight on green and increasing options for intercity and high-speed rail growth, it‘s clear that they will continue to drive innovation in transportation.”

In four of Amtrak’s gateway cities, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Chicago, Amtrak will host free events from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  These events will consist of live entertainment, interactive and educational exhibits, kid’s entertainment, food demonstrations, model train displays, and tours of private railroad cars, Amtrak equipment, freight and commuter trains.

In other cities, perhaps one near you, there will be similar activities and opportunities.  More are being added each day so check the National Train Day’s Other Cities web page as May approaches. 

This is a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with some nice pieces of railroad equipment and locomotives as well as a chance to meet with railroaders and railfans from your area.  I have been to the previous two events in Los Angeles, California, and, in both cases, you could climb into the cab of several locomotives.  Very cool to see.  Kids, like me, seem to really enjoy the displays.

A good time is sure to be had by all and you can learn more about railroads and their contributions to America’s past, present, and future.  Keep checking the National Train Day web site since events and cities will be added as May draws closer.

I’ll be at the Los Angeles and San Bernardino events.  See you there!

Andrew J. Russell’s famous Champange Photo taken at Promontory Summit May 10, 1869

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Saturday
Mar202010

Rare Railroad Photo and Family Opportunity in Southern California

AuthorJoe Perry | DateSaturday, March 20, 2010 at 9:45PM

One very special event is coming to southern California and presents a rare opportunity for many, railfans and the general public alike.

On May 1, 2010 a former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway steam locomotive will make a run, complete with a passenger train set, from Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal to San Diego, California and make a return trip the following day.

The locomotive, known as Santa Fe #3751, was delivered to the Santa Fe Railway in May, 1927.  It is known as a 4-8-4 type locomotive; four leading wheels, eight driving wheels and four trailing wheels. The locomotive and tender weigh nearly 875,000 pounds when loaded with water and fuel.  The 3751 was retired from service in 1957 and donated to the city of San Bernardino.

The San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society (SBRHS) acquired the 3751 from San Bernardino for $1 in 1985 and began extensive restoration efforts.  The SBHRS finished restoring the 3751 in 1991 and she has been making occasional runs ever since.

This particular run of the 3751 is called the San Diego Steam Special II and is a joint effort of Central Coast Railway Club and the Pacific Locomotive Association.  You can purchase tickets to ride the train, if you wish.  The current schedule calls for the train to leave Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal mid-morning on May 1, 2010 and arriving in San Diego, California in the mid-afternoon.  A return trip is planned for the next day with the train leaving San Diego mid-morning and arriving at Union Station in Los Angeles mid-afternoon.

This is a rather rare opportunity for you and your family to see a steam locomotive at speed hauling a train set.  It might even be something that your younger kids have not seen before.  It really is a very thrilling site to behold.  A glimpse of days gone-by and one that shouldn’t be missed.  Find a scenic and SAFE spot near the tracks and make an event of it.  I’ll be trackside! 

Check out this video from YouTube showing a previous run of the 3751 and some of the folks stopped to see the majestic locomotive blow by.

 

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