Steam & Excursion > Previously run UP Excursion out of Denver on Kansas Pacific?

I recall that in the 1980s or 1990s there was an excursion from Denver to Cheyenne Wells on Union Pacific's Limon Subdivision (also known as the Kansas Pacific).  I think that it was led by 844/8444 or the UP E-units.  Does anyone know when this excursion (or excursions if there were more the one) was run and who was the sponsor? 

I am inquiring only about excursions which the public could ride, not events like a UP publicity run with 844 on this line in April 2006.

Thank you, in advance.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/25 09:08 by RuleG.

I certainly remember that trip...one of the best ever UP excursions.
I  do not recall the date,however , it was powered by the UP E-Units.Noted rail historian,author,and video producer Richard Luckin 
had a major role in putting this one together.He was the "matre de" in the diner,in which was served a multi-course dinner that was prepared on-board.
Several photo run-bys were performed,in the usual UP manner, one of which allowed us the opportunity to capture the consist emerging thru a tunnel.


rick

the only tunnel on the route was thru stapleton airport, under the taxiways, not sure there was runby there?  or else i am losing it

perhaps you are thinking of one  the overhead truss bridges?

8444 ran a trip for kansas's  bicentennial, was not aware of tix sold thou

e9s  did do that trip in the  you could ride, it didn't go as far as was hoped track was so slow .



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/25 12:03 by dan.

October 1, 1994. The "60th Anniversary Streamliner" behind the E9 trio from Denver to Cheyenne Wells and back, sponsored by the Intermountain Chapter, National Railway Historical Society. There's a video by Walt Loevy over on "the Tube" that depicts it along with several other UP excursions and revenue trains in the mid-90s.

DRGWMark Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> October 1, 1994. The "60th Anniversary
> Streamliner" behind the E9 trio from Denver to
> Cheyenne Wells and back, sponsored by the
> Intermountain Chapter, National Railway Historical
> Society. There's a video by Walt Loevy over on
> "the Tube" that depicts it along with several
> other UP excursions and revenue trains in the
> mid-90s.

Thank you, Mark!  That is exactly the information I was seeking. I also appreciate you mentioning the Walt Loevy video.

The train in question was run October 1, 1994 from Denver to Cheyenne Wells and return to Denver.  The power, being double-ended E units, ran around the train at Cheyenne Wells for the return trip westward.  My time book shows the symbol was IDEDE-01, power 949-963B-951, and 18 cars.  I was called (as engineer) with Conductor R.L. Martinson on duty 1100am in Oakley, Kansas to deadhead to Cheyenne Wells and work the train west.  After relieving the Denver crew and getting the power around and making an air test, we left Cheyenne Wells and made one photo run-by at (I think) Cedar Point.  After unloading the passengers, we backed down the hill toward Limon about a mile, and then made a run for it.  I remember thinking how under powered the E's were with 18 cars, and we made maybe 20mph by the crowd.  This was after the E's had been rebuilt as essentially GP-38's.  By the time we were getting everyone back on board, a nasty lightning storm was quickly closing in, so it was time to GO!  My records show arriving Denver at 2055, and being relieved at 2130 at Union Station.  

got some neat lighting with the train videos

RoadForeman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The train in question was run October 1, 1994 from
> Denver to Cheyenne Wells and return to Denver. 
> The power, being double-ended E units, ran around
> the train at Cheyenne Wells for the return trip
> westward.  My time book shows the symbol was
> IDEDE-01, power 949-963B-951, and 18 cars.  I was
> called (as engineer) with Conductor R.L. Martinson
> on duty 1100am in Oakley, Kansas to deadhead to
> Cheyenne Wells and work the train west.  After
> relieving the Denver crew and getting the power
> around and making an air test, we left Cheyenne
> Wells and made one photo run-by at (I think) Cedar
> Point.  After unloading the passengers, we backed
> down the hill toward Limon about a mile, and then
> made a run for the it.  I remember thinking how
> under powered the E's were with 18 cars, and we
> made maybe 20mph by the crowd.  This was after
> the E's had been rebuilt as essentially GP-38's. 
> By the time we were getting everyone back on
> board, a nasty lightning storm was quickly closing
> in, so it was time to GO!  My records show
> arriving Denver at 2055, and being relieved at
> 2130 at Union Station.  

Thank you for sharing your experience as an engineer for this excursion.