UP 844, a Mountain, a Mob, and Me

As I described in in my previous post, “”UP” for a Chase? 844 Comes to California,” Union Pacific’s famous steam engine, the UP No. 844, is in California and garnering quite the attention in the process. On Saturday, November 19, 2011, the UP 844 lead the Centennial Tour train eastbound from West Colton, California to Yermo, California. The route the train was scheduled to take was over BNSF rails up and over the scenic and challenging Cajon Pass. It was the making of a perfect photo opportunity and I headed out early Saturday morning, almost dutifully, to get in position…

Click to read more ...

"UP" for a Chase? 844 Comes to California

Today marks the beginning of the “return-trip” for Union Pacific’s “Living Legend,” No. 844, after participating in what Union Pacific dubbed the Centennial Tour to help New Mexico and Arizona celebrate their one-hundred years of statehood. Union Pacific’s No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific, delivered in 1944, and will travel more than 2,900 miles from its base in Cheyenne, Wyoming during the 32-day, nine-state tour that will honor the rich railroad heritage of the scenic Southwest…

Click to read more ...

Union Pacific Leads the Way

Last night I settled in to my usual haunt, the easy chair in the front room, and perched upon my lap was my trusty Apple MacBook Pro. I had plans to research and craft a blog post that was long overdue. You see, the Union Pacific Railroad is embarking on a grand tour of the Southwest with one of their treasured and glorious steam engines replete with appropriate carriages of old in tow. The purpose of the event is best left described by a few passages from their press release…

Click to read more ...

Drivers - Man, Water, and Fire

In the course of human achievements there have been many truly advancing inventions forged by talented and brilliant folks. Obviously computers, atomic fusion, and airplanes come to my mind immediately. However, one invention that had far-reaching ramifications, good and bad depending on one’s perspective, considering the time frame when it was first developed, the late 1700s, was the steam engine. This eventually morphed into a steam locomotive, among other implementations, and the future of discovery and settlement of America was cast…

Click to read more ...

It's All About Character - The EMD SD40-2

Not unlike myself, as locomotives age they tend to develop a character all their own. As the years of tireless and dedicated service on the line creep by the paint chips and fades, the rust takes hold, and the engine becomes unique in fleet of sameness…

Click to read more ...

In the Ballast with the Santa Fe 3751 at Los Angeles Union Station

Continuing my coverage of the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society’s former Santa Fe 3751 steam locomotive’s departure from Los Angeles Union Station en route to San Bernardino, California with an excursion train as part of the San Bernardino Railroad Days and Bicentennial Celebration, I have moved my vantage point into the ballast area at the end of the platform…

Click to read more ...

On the Platform with the Santa Fe 3751 at Los Angeles Union Station

Indirectly associated with the events of National Train Day, the former Santa Fe No. 3751 was going to pulling an excursion train from Los Angeles Union Station to San Bernardino, California as part of San Bernardino Railroad Days and Bicentennial Celebration. It was perfect timing for me as I was going to be attending the National Train Day events at Los Angeles Union Station yesterday anyways so I altered my schedule a bit so I could see the 3751 leave LA…

Click to read more ...

A Day Chasing Steam - The Santa Fe 3751 Heads South with San Diego Steam Special II - Part 3

Updated on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 10:04PM by Joe Perry

Our savior, so to speak, declared that he was certain the San Diego Steam Special II would be stopping at “Poinsettia” for servicing which will take about an hour. He also said that the Santa Fe 3751 would be performing a series of run-bys at that location as well! “Really?” I exclaimed as I gave Dan a raised-brow glance. “Let’s see where Poinsettia is,” I said as I pointed the man towards my truck…

Click to read more ...

SECOND CHANCE - See the Santa Fe 3751 Run This Weekend in Southern California

Per the Santa Fe 3751 Facebook page, Santa Fe 3751 will haul 4 private cars and a Metrolink diesel from San Bernardino to Los Angeles as part of the Railroad Days event in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the city of San Bernardino. For tickets and information call: 909-792-3827. Here is a map of the route that I put together to assist you in planning your chase:…

Click to read more ...

A Day Chasing Steam - The Santa Fe 3751 Heads South with San Diego Steam Special II - Part 2

As I pulled away from the Fullerton Amtrak station parking lot, I began to estimate an approximate meeting location for both Dan and I and the 3751. Ultimately we decided to meet at the Junipero Serra Road in San Juan Capistrano, mostly because it was the closet point at which our paths converged. However, it turned out to be rather fortuitous for us with respect the 3751 as well…

Click to read more ...