3985 - We document our two-week journey in October, 2010 with UP 3985, the largest operating steam locomotive in the world at the time. The powerful Challenger class 4-6-6-4 articulated locomotive powered The Missouri River Eagle, a special which called on cities and towns like Kansas City, St. Louis, and Sedalia, MO (which was celebrating its 150th anniversary). Our incredible trip begins and ends in North Platte, NE. This chapter is a long and loving look at what may have been 3985’s final trip!
Two Trains West - On November 13th, 2010, UP commemorated the 50th anniversary of its heritage steam program with 844 leading an excursion across Nebraska from Omaha to North Platte. This line is part of the first transcontinental railroad, which had its western terminus in Council Bluffs, IA, just across the river from Omaha. There it connected with eastern railroads such as the Rock Island. Today, Iowa Interstate Railroad operates the former Rock Island route. It took part in UP’s celebration by sending one of its QJ steam locomotives to meet 844 in Golden Spike Park. We cover the travels of both locomotives and continue with 844 all the way home to Cheyenne, WY after the excursion.
Union Pacific - 150 Years of Steam - 844 was the last steam locomotive purchased by the railroad, and the only one never retired. To celebrate its 150th anniversary as a railroad in 2012, UP had an impressive schedule for 844 to pull the UP 150 Express. The railroad traces its beginnings to July 1, 1862, when Congress approved the Pacific Railroad Act to build the first transcontinental railroad. UP has grown to become the largest rail network in the US, with nearly 32,000 miles of track in 23 states. For our program we cover two legs of the UP 150 Express. The first was a two-day trip from Council Bluffs to Des Moines, IA, where it made an appearance at the Iowa State Fair. The second leg took the train on another two-day run from Des Moines to Salina, KS, by way of Kansas City.
Captured with tripod-mounted HD cameras - Running time approximately 112 minutes - Conveniently organized by chapters - Minimal narration
Two Trains West - On November 13th, 2010, UP commemorated the 50th anniversary of its heritage steam program with 844 leading an excursion across Nebraska from Omaha to North Platte. This line is part of the first transcontinental railroad, which had its western terminus in Council Bluffs, IA, just across the river from Omaha. There it connected with eastern railroads such as the Rock Island. Today, Iowa Interstate Railroad operates the former Rock Island route. It took part in UP’s celebration by sending one of its QJ steam locomotives to meet 844 in Golden Spike Park. We cover the travels of both locomotives and continue with 844 all the way home to Cheyenne, WY after the excursion.
Union Pacific - 150 Years of Steam - 844 was the last steam locomotive purchased by the railroad, and the only one never retired. To celebrate its 150th anniversary as a railroad in 2012, UP had an impressive schedule for 844 to pull the UP 150 Express. The railroad traces its beginnings to July 1, 1862, when Congress approved the Pacific Railroad Act to build the first transcontinental railroad. UP has grown to become the largest rail network in the US, with nearly 32,000 miles of track in 23 states. For our program we cover two legs of the UP 150 Express. The first was a two-day trip from Council Bluffs to Des Moines, IA, where it made an appearance at the Iowa State Fair. The second leg took the train on another two-day run from Des Moines to Salina, KS, by way of Kansas City.
Captured with tripod-mounted HD cameras - Running time approximately 112 minutes - Conveniently organized by chapters - Minimal narration
Customer Reviews
- 4 of 5
This 2016 Best Of Compilation covers 3 segments with 2 of Union Pacific’s Mighty Steam Giants: challenger 3985, & never retired northern 844. The 3985 segment in October of 2010 was previously used in “Steam Specials in the Heartland”, the November 2010 segment with 844 meeting Iowa Interstate QJ 7081 & the final run for Steve Lee working on the railroad from Omaha Nebraska to Cheyenne Wyoming was taken from the super rare title: “A Boatload Of Steam” with the SS Badger Ferry Boat, Flagg Coal company 75 at Indiana’s Whitewater Valley & the Heston Steam Museum near the Michigan border & the now closed I Love Toy Trains Hobby shop, & the 844 in 2012 segment was taken from “Big Steam On The Mainline”. 10 years after this Best Of collection was released, 3985 has since been donated to the former Rock Island Railroad Shops in Silvis Illinois for restoration to operational condition along with 2-10-2 number 5511, & centennial unit 6936, while 844 hasn’t operated any excursion since double-heading with the newly restored Big Boy 4014 in May of 2019 to the 150th anniversary of the golden spike in Utah.
Additional comments:
Narration: Could have used more.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Yes.
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