(The following story by George Lauby appeared on the North Platte Bulletin website on September 10, 2009.)
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Union Pacific Railroad’s historic steam locomotive No. 844 will come to North Platte to celebrate Rail Fest.
“Union Pacific’s presence and historical ties run so deep in North Platte that it is only fitting we display such a historically significant steam locomotive during Rail Fest,” said UP spokeswoman Brenda Mainwaring.
The locomotive will be on display Sept. 18-20 at the railroad tracks along Front St., between Chestnut and Poplar.
Visitors can look inside the cab of the legendary locomotive from a viewing platform.
Two other historic engines will also be part of the train.
No. 844 was the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad and began pulling trains in 1944. A high-speed passenger engine, 844 pulled widely known trains such as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger.
When diesel locomotives took over passenger train duties, 844 was placed in freight service in Nebraska from 1957 to 1959. It was saved from being scrapped in 1960 and held for special service.
It returned to service in 2005 in one of the most extensive steam locomotive overhauls.
Also, two restored passenger locomotives will be on display with No. 844 – the E-9 passenger locomotives No. 951 and 963B.
No. 951 was built in 1955 and pulled such famous trains as the City of Los Angeles, City of Portland, City of San Francisco, City of St. Louis and the Challenger.
No. 951, along with No. 963B, which has no cab and is used for additional power on longer trains, were rebuilt with modern components in 1993, while their outward appearance continued to retain the look of the 1955 era.
“We are proud to have No. 844 on display when North Platte takes time out to celebrate the impact the rail industry has on the community now and in our past,” said Steve Lee, UP’s steam locomotive engineer.
More information about RailFest is at. http://site.nprailfest.com.
Twitter users will be able to “follow” the 844 at twitter.com/up_steam. Tweets will include the 844’s latest GPS location as well as brief reports from along the route.
No. 844 is scheduled to leave Cheyenne, Wyo. at 8 a.m. Sept. 17 and pull into the display tracks in North Platte at 4 p.m. at Front St., between Chestnut and Poplar.
It will be open for display:
• Friday, Sept. 18 from 2-8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 20 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
No. 844 will depart North Platte at 9 a.m. Sept. 21 and return to Cheyenne.