The Union Pacific Railroad ran the smaller of their steam engines today (Wednesday) through Kearney on the way to Omaha. It will be on display in Omaha for 2 days. It is the UP's 50th anniversary of taking the 844 out of service, the last steam engine on the UP to be retired. This engine is a 4-8-4 Northern, built for passenger service.
It will head West from Omaha on Saturday pulling a fair size passenger train full of paying customers who want to go for a train ride behind a steam engine. The one day ride from Omaha to North Platte NE , about 6 hrs, will cost each person $1000.00 to ride upstairs in any of the 5 VistaDome cars that will be in the consist. Downstairs riders will pay $750.00. All seats are sold out. The UP still owns a nice fleet of yellow streamliner passenger cars from the 50's that all have been refurbished to first class shape. This Westbound will have the 5 domes they own riding along.
Wish Jack and I were riding up front in the engine!
Click here to see #844 pictures.
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