Nostalgia & History > U.P. 844 finishing move through a long slow order

I was able to catch the Union Pacific Railroad's famed steam locomotive 844 yesterday while it was operating at a low speed due to a relatively long slow order near Paola, Kan., on the Coffeyville Sub.

The sun was dropping fast as the train arrived at the 287th Street crossing about 4 miles northeast of Paola. This was at Mile Post 323.

The train had originally been scheduled to pass this location about 4 hours earlier but the schedule was moved back because of unexpected daytime track work.

A U.P. train derailment occurred in Paola on Oct. 16. Since then, U.P. Maintenance of Way track workers have been working daily to address various track issues and get the main  north of Paola back in top shape. Track for two-plus miles was banged up pretty bad by a wheel set being dragged on the ground. The off-the-rails wheel set eventually led to a 11-car pileup in Paola. All were loaded grain hoppers.

Immediately after the steam special cleared the pictured crossing Thursday, No. 844 accelerated back to posted track speeds. It spent the night at Kansas City Union Station. 

(Video by Larry Byers) 

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I can almost smell the steam and leaves in the air of the evening.  Nice footage, Larry.

Jim in Manhattan