Steam & Excursion > UP steam

I know I'm about to through a grenade into the firebox but when was the last time ANY of UP steam fleet operated. This is such a shame since 611 is running now, TWO Reading T1's are slated to return, C & O 1309 is being rebuilt and out west 2926 looks like it will be running later this year. As I said what a shame!

2013 when 844 ran the Frontier Days. Other than that, it was April 2012 in the doomed Texas wheel enounter.

July, 2013. 

Approaching 3 years of 0 steam.

When July, 2016 rolls around, it will set a new record for no steam
on UP.  It already is the record since 1865, but UP had no steam from
1862 to mid-1865 when it was just starting to build the railroad from
Omaha.

And it was announced that former UP Chairman Drew Lewis has passed away. When he was in Omaha,
the UP steam program was in its prime, and I think he took an interest in it, unlike today.

The_Chief_Way Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And it was announced that former UP Chairman Drew
> Lewis has passed away. When he was in Omaha,
> the UP steam program was in its prime, and I think
> he took an interest in it, unlike today.

Well the late CEO Jim Young also took a GREAT interest in the steam operation, even when he was newly appointed President. He rode with is in the crew car during the George Bush "41 at 81", when the 3985 handled that special from the Houston area north to College Station, TX and return. President Bush even did that parachute jump landing on the grounds of the university that day. Fun times for all, except for the poor Secret Service folks.

I believe Drew Lewis moved UP corporate headquarters from New York to Pennsylvania when he was CEO. I remember seeing vehicles following steam excursions with Pennsylvania license plates and crew members driving during that time.

It was Mister Lewis that moved the Steam Engines from opperating to the Corporation and put Mr. Lee in charge.
Steve

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The_Chief_Way Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > And it was announced that former UP Chairman
> Drew
> > Lewis has passed away. When he was in Omaha,
> > the UP steam program was in its prime, and I
> think
> > he took an interest in it, unlike today.
>
> Well the late CEO Jim Young also took a GREAT
> interest in the steam operation, even when he was
> newly appointed President. He rode with is in the
> crew car during the George Bush "41 at 81", when
> the 3985 handled that special from the Houston
> area north to College Station, TX and return.
> President Bush even did that parachute jump
> landing on the grounds of the university that day.
> Fun times for all, except for the poor Secret
> Service folks.


I can see why, an 81 year old doing something most young folks do, I don't blame Bush Sr. it's just a number!

I counted Drew Lewis as a friend and a total rail in every sense of the word. He loved railroading and steam and did a lot behind the scenes to support the industry in addition to leading the UPRR.

   R.I.P.

   Ross Rowland

didn't someone say here that he hurt the desert wind and pioneer?

dan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> didn't someone say here that he hurt the desert
> wind and pioneer?

How?  He never was an Amtrak official, nor was he
head of UP when those trains were pulled off by Amtrak?

Some fool on another forum claimed Lewis instituted the
drug test regimen while he was DOT Secretary.  He was
already at UP when all that (including the Gates mess that
brought it on) was instituted.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/13/16 11:56 by Realist.

someone inferred he didn't like the interference of those trains

dan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> someone inferred he didn't like the interference
> of those trains


"Someone" doesn't know what he is talking about.

Realist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> July, 2013. 
>
> Approaching 3 years of 0 steam.
>
> When July, 2016 rolls around, it will set a new
> record for no steam
> on UP.  It already is the record since 1865, but
> UP had no steam from
> 1862 to mid-1865 when it was just starting to
> build the railroad from
> Omaha.

UP has steam........just a DIFFERENT form.......!!??!!

ns1000 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Realist Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > July, 2013. 
> >
> > Approaching 3 years of 0 steam.
> >
> > When July, 2016 rolls around, it will set a new
> > record for no steam
> > on UP.  It already is the record since 1865,
> but
> > UP had no steam from
> > 1862 to mid-1865 when it was just starting to
> > build the railroad from
> > Omaha.
>
> UP has steam........just a DIFFERENT
> form.......!!??!!

ROFLMAO
Dry Steam emanating from Dear Leader

IT MAY BE CLOUDY,  BUT THAT GAS AIN'T STEAM COMING FROM THE D.L.
IT MAY BE HIGHLY FLAMMABLE,, OR TOXIC...

P.U.  (U.P. spelled backwards...)

W.

 

wcamp1472 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IT MAY BE CLOUDY,  BUT THAT GAS AIN'T STEAM
> COMING FROM THE D.L.
> IT MAY BE HIGHLY FLAMMABLE,, OR TOXIC...
>
> P.U.  (U.P. spelled backwards...)
>
> W.

ROFL!!  LMAO!!
Comment Of The Month!
 

wcamp1472 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IT MAY BE CLOUDY,  BUT THAT GAS AIN'T STEAM
> COMING FROM THE D.L.
> IT MAY BE HIGHLY FLAMMABLE,, OR TOXIC...
>
> P.U.  (U.P. spelled backwards...)
>
> W.
>
>  

Nice one!