Steam & Excursion > Is that '3985' riding the 844?

I’ve known Topeka resident Mr. Cliff Corn since the mid 1970s. He has long been an active model railroader & railfan photographer in the Topeka area, dating back to at least 1970. At a recent Topeka chapter NRHS meeting Cliff handed me a CD with nearly 800 images on it. He has recorded virtually every passage through the area by both of UP’s [formerly living] steam icons; the 844 & the 3985 since 1970. He has also bagged multiple passages of all 6 of the heritage units, several E-unit led excursions & business trains plus a small army of other interesting tidbits.

Since it looks like it will be a gazillion years before we ever see healthy [read: living & breathing vaporized water] UP Steam rolling again, it seems like a good idea to post some of Cliff’s photos on a regular basis. So here we go with a couple of shots from 1989. It’s the 844 from the fireman’s side. Say! Is that someone we all know occupying the fireman’s seat…

1. UP 844 eases around “Porubsky’s Curve”. Is this excursion headed over to visit Uncle John on the south side of the Kansas River?

2. In the ‘away’ shot we see a landmark grain elevator that has since been torn down. WHO IS that guy in the fireman’s seat… ;^)

Thanks for looking back!
Lance Garrels (santafe199)
Cliff Corn (Topeka)



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 05/01/19 13:49 by santafe199.

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Nice ones, Lance.  I always liked the two-tone paint
on that loco.

John.

jkh2cpu Wrote: > ...  I always liked the two-tone paint...

I do as well, but I never saw the 844 in this scheme in person so I'm glad Clif got these shots back in those days.

Lance



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/15 09:38 by santafe199.

I was going to say "I like that gray paint scheme." But I've been beaten to it twice.  I guess I'll just "3rd" the sentiment.

santafe199 Wrote:
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 It’s the 844
> from the fireman’s side. Say! Is that someone we
> all know occupying the fireman’s seat…

Probably not.



> 2. In the ‘away’ shot we see a landmark grain
> elevator that has since been torn down. WHO IS
> that guy in the fireman’s seat… ;^)

Pretty hard to tell. Maybe Bob Krieger?

> Thanks for looking back!
> Lance Garrels (santafe199)
> Clif Corn (Topeka)

Yes Lance. Clif captured photos of me firing the 844. I remember when Lynn and I helped paint and letter the locomotive. Thanks for posting these two photos. It is good memories.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

I hope I don't get in any "hot water" for saying this, but "Bob3985" is who I would have expected to be firing .                                   Yes, I believe they are headed over to the AT&SF Topeka Sub to go on down to Pauline KS  for the                                                      once great Topeka Railroad Days annual festivities, which in other 
years also hosted ATSF 3751 and SLSF 1522. It was great while it lasted.

One of the trips I enjoyed the most was the 1996 Topeka RR Days trip with 1522.  Nice weather, "fan trip" from Topeka to Emporia and return, good pilot engineers and an all around fun trip.
Went north from STL to W. Quincy, turned the train and headed west and spent the first night at Brookfield.  Next day to Topeka, then the Emporia trip.  Return to KC, the KC-Ft. Scott-Springfield and home over the old Frisco and 1522's stomping grounds.
Wish I could do it again.

I think my favorite runs were always climbing the Wasatch from Ogden to Evanston.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

Bob3985 Wrote:
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> I think my favorite runs were always climbing the
> Wasatch from Ogden to Evanston.

I love watching you guys come down that canyon. It's a beautiful place for railfaning.