Steam & Excursion > Union Pacific’s 250th Celebration home run on Friday 4/24/26

What's up guys! 

I keep forgetting to share here! Anyway, Kevin Morgan reminded me, so here is a few snap shots from Friday. My chase team left Denver area at 0200 for the trip over the Continental Divide Basin to Rawlins for a sunrise with Ed's amazing crew. It was such a privilege to see them run. 

photo 1:
Wastach class 4-8-8-4 stands ready in Rawlins at 05:20 in full "America's 250th Anniversary" regalia. The crew spent several hours preparing for the Big Boy's run including hand wiping the paint and details, mounting the flags on the front, maintenance. Always a treat to see the passion these folks have for this beautiful machine. 

photo 2:
Running east about 2 miles from the summit of Sherman Hill, the train is passing the Great Pink Panther (Sherman Granite) at Dale Junction on Track 1. The Big Boy's native habitat. 

photo 3:
Leaving Rawlins with a full head of steam. It was relatively cold around 20 with snow and graupel, and extremely windy all day, at Hanna it was easily sustained hurricane force winds at 65 mph or better. Shadows and clouds would shut out the sun in mere moments, often at the point the train would come into view. Made for a very difficult chase with added stops since we kept losing light and winds all but eliminated drone use, drone is definitely a secondary tool in my bag; my first choice is on foot. At Hanna the shadow of a cloud flowed the train absolutely perfectly at easily 40mph it was rather funny. Certainly a test of our patience. 






 

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Limit 3

Continued:

photo 4:
Just leaving Medicine Bow for the fill and bridge over Foote Creek chasing the shadows of fast moving clouds, astonishingly beautiful Wyoming spring day! 

photo 5:
Once again chasing shadows along the snow fences near Wilcox.

I wil edit some further pictures from Cheyenne a bit later. 

Thank you for looking 

Erik 

 

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Sunrise at Rawlins, WY

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The cold really accentuates the steam, great shot. BTW, where did they attach the dismal? Pictures earkier show it by itself steaming out of Ogden. However the short train did have the freight cars for braking.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/26/26 18:28 by Cumbresfan.

Lift off! 

Ed leans into it for the departure. 

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/26/26 18:33 by ErikCLindgren.

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Very nice work despite all the challenges. Very enjoyable images.
Ponder this.
Imagine trying to capture multiple locations in the tree tunnels back east when the 4014 hits the eastern Metropolis. Forget clouds and sucker holes. With terrible roads, traffic and limited sight distances this will be  a serious challenge for anyone trying to capture the 4014 an incredibly difficult task. I'm sure a few intrepid photograpers will perserver.
My first thought is shooting 100 yards from my home where I have countless Conrail, CSX, CP Rail, new CSX Bright Future locos, Acela sets being delivered on video and digital. And, today's boring NS black things moving freight.
Not an ideal location, it was better with an ex-Reading Signal mast and even a Dolly Arm. Long gone and replaced with a new interlocking during the PTC upgrade but out of photographic reach today.
Not sure what I'll do. Maybe just sit on the embankment and watch 4014 strut her stuff. 
It will be very interesting to see who produces what in this hostile environment.
Gonut
 

Great coverage, Erik! Great bumping in to you there in Cheyenne. Fun day with a fun chase.

Kevin Morgan
Arvada, CO
ColoradoRailfan.com

Beautiful set - Photo six is an "A+" image!!!
Bob

When the weather is really cold, 20 degrees and with winds,  does the 4014 cab stay pretty warm when they close the folding does on the back of the cab?

Very nice slection, Erik.  Thanks for taking the time and effort to post them.

Greg Stadter
Phoenix, AZ

Excellent series Erik. Thanks for sharing. 

Your welcome fellas !

Exellent pics there! Especially with that wonderful sky! AA++

Posted from Android

Jim Baker
Riverside, CA

NICE shots!!

Thanks for posting these “challenging” pics!! Appreciate the effort!!

Markus V.
“The Fort” in Indiana

Posted from iPhone

Mark Vandre
Fort Wayne, IN