Steam & Excursion > UP 844 brings out the crowds

I was very eager to see UP 844 back on the Cheyenne Frontier Days train this year so I could bring my daughter trackside to see such an impressive locomotive. The most enjoyable part of these CFD trains for me is seeing the crowds lining the entire route, be they excited railfans or community members out to catch a glimpse of their own youth, or to show their kids the loud and powerful 844. I captured the morning departure in Commerce City, then headed up to Greeley to get a closer look during the scheduled stop. Here's a few photos of the engine and its fans.

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2 more photos from Greeley

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Nice photos. I like the clean look without the mars light. Thanks for posting.

From looking at these pictures it appears that nobody in the cab is wearing the dreaded ANSI-II yellow vest.
I thought that UP required everyone to wear the vest. Am I wrong?

PHall Wrote:
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> From looking at these pictures it appears that
> nobody in the cab is wearing the dreaded ANSI-II
> yellow vest.
> I thought that UP required everyone to wear the
> vest. Am I wrong?

Yes, you are wrong.  The vests are required wearing when ON THE GROUND!

I'm really glad to see a proper blow-down being performed.

fqo63

fqo63 Wrote:
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> I'm really glad to see a proper blow-down being
> performed.
>
> fqo63

Sorry, but THAT is not a "proper blowdown".

I am afraid that .it is going to take me some time to get used to the missing Mars Light. Occasionally I would use it on stops for the railfans to get photos of. But time moves on.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

HotWater Wrote:
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> fqo63 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I'm really glad to see a proper blow-down being
> > performed.
> >
> > fqo63
>
> Sorry, but THAT is not a "proper blowdown".

OK...please educate me. What is a proper blow-down?

Bob3985 Wrote:
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> I am afraid that .it is going to take me some time
> to get used to the missing Mars Light.
> Occasionally I would use it on stops for the
> railfans to get photos of. But time moves on.

When was the Mars Light installed in the first place? 

fqo63 Wrote:
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> HotWater Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > fqo63 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > I'm really glad to see a proper blow-down
> being
> > > performed.
> > >
> > > fqo63
> >
> > Sorry, but THAT is not a "proper blowdown".
>
> OK...please educate me. What is a proper
> blow-down?

First of all the original design of the Wilson Blowdow/sludge remover system should NEVER have been re-pipped/messed with. As originally designed, the high pressure steam is vented skyward from the centrifugal separator, during the sludge removal/blowdown process, and only the "sludgy liquid" is discharged downward at track level (under the Engineer's side cab window so that he can watch the 'malted milk' exiting the discharge chute). Thus, both the Engineer and Fireman can operated their individual remote control levers for the air actuated blowdowns, with nice long "blows" of about 15 seconds at a time, all the while the Engineer monitors the condition of the discharge water at the discharge chute. The worse the boiler water, the more often and longer blowdowns required, in order to keep the solids from settling and accumulation in the lower portions of the boiler.

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bob3985 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I am afraid that .it is going to take me some
> time
> > to get used to the missing Mars Light.
> > Occasionally I would use it on stops for the
> > railfans to get photos of. But time moves on.
>
> When was the Mars Light installed in the first
> place? 

I believe, 1946.

Great pictures, perfect cityscape backdrop for Pic #1.

Rich

#2 is an amazing image. Nice job!!

The engineer seems to be not wearing a hat either.  Not even a Kromer cap or bandana.  However, the photos are great.  Kudos to the steam team for a good trip.  Just keep the water clean and don't flatten anymore driving wheels.
CRS