VIDEO: Historic Locomotive In Salina
- Tue 04:52 PM 08/14/2012
No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad
A historic steam locomotive chugged into Salina Tuesday.
Union Pacific Engine No. 844 is on the fourth leg of the UP 150 Express, a multi-segment tour celebrating Union Pacific's 150th anniversary.
Steam Locomotive No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad. It was delivered in 1944. A high-speed passenger engine, it pulled such widely known trains as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger.
When diesels took over all of the 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.
Hailed as Union Pacific's "Living Legend," the engine is widely known among railroad enthusiasts for its excursion runs, especially over Union Pacific's fabled crossing of Sherman Hill between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming.
Visitors can step inside Union Pacific's vintage Promontory baggage car that has been transformed into a state-of-the-art traveling museum.
The traveling exhibit takes visitors back in time using the latest interactive touch screen technology to illustrate how Union Pacific supported communities as they were established along the way as the transcontinental railroad was built. The interactive experience culminates with the modern Union Pacific Railroad, which transports goods American businesses and consumers use every day.
Engine No. 844 will pull the traveling exhibit 13,000 miles through 15 states as part of Union Pacific's 150th anniversary celebration. The tour is headed to Salina following a stop at the Iowa State Fair on August 9 - 12.
Engine No. 844 arrived at the Old Depot in Salina at 400 N. 13th Street Tuesday. It will be on display Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., before leaving on Thursday morning.
---
Video shot by Mike Hammett
Comments must stay on topic and be respectful. Comments that are personal attacks, make unfounded accusations, or are for the purpose of "trolling" or inciting others will be removed. Offending users will have their profile suspended.
Post a comment Log in or Register to comment
No comments