CHEYENNE, Wyo. — For the first time since May 2019, Union Pacific 4-8-4 No. 844 is out and about. The FEF-3 class Northern is undergoing tests in preparation for the upcoming holiday tour in November with Big Boy No. 4014 to Denver.
No. 844 was fired up at the UP steam shop in Cheyenne by Oct. 15 — as seen in a series of photos and video posted on the railroad’s Steam Club Facebook group that day by Ed Dickens, senior manager of heritage operations. This afternoon (Oct. 16) the locomotive headed west out of town for a couple of out-and-back trips to Speer, Wyo., with auxiliary water tender No. 814, four support cars, a string of more than 20 well cars, and a caboose.
Because it has not been equipped with positive train control, No. 844 will trail Big Boy No. 4014 during their doubleheaded Cheyenne-Denver trip next month. “We are preparing the Living Legend No. 844 for November’s holiday excursion to Denver without PTC installed. During the excursion, No. 844 will not run in the lead position,” UP tells Trains…