The last steam locomotive delivered to the Union Pacific Railroad was the hulking 844. This thing is BangShifty right to its core. With 5,000hp, a combined weight between the engine and the tender of over 900,000lbs and the demonstrated ability to pull a 1,000-ton train at 100mph, we’re not sure what else we need to tell you about this monster. One thing that trumps all of its mind boggling mechanical and physical stats is the fact that it is the only steam locomotive that has never been fully decommissioned by a major railroad.
The 844 first hit the rails in 1944 and was going to be a passenger hauler but it was soon put to work hauling whatever needed to be moved. Things like food, war materials, and other raw goods. The role of the steam train diminished quickly through the late 1940s and even quicker into the 1950s. By the late 1950s Union Pacific was pretty well done with steam locomotives and had put them all out to pasture except for this one. The last and most technologically advanced of its breed, the company kept it for promotional and special use.
Back in 2013 the 844 was taken out of service to have the boiler gone through. It came back for a short stint and then went into the shop for a full inspection, a process that was expected to take the better part of a year or more. That’s exactly how long it took and the big fella hit the tracks again a few months ago.
The 844 is currently on an 18-day trip called the Trek to Tennessee and it is the first time anyone is seeing it since it came out of the shop all prettied up. There’s lots of social media activity surrounding the event and the chance to see this sucker rumble through your town should not be missed.
Not a 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” but impressive none the less.
They’re also restoring 4014
I love how youtube links to other videos… this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU9uEwSGp9M
the 844 assists a stalled train on a grade outside of Archer Wyoming…. Grandpa came off the bench for an assist and a save.
Mesmerizing! Pure mechanical bliss.