THE REAL THING U.P. LOCOMOTIVE 844 IN OKLAHOMA

An example of how high the wheels on the locomotive are.

The Story:
The Union Pacific Railroads Steam Engine #844 and VIP train rolled across Oklahoma to help the State celebrate its 100th birthday. We went out to see it on two different days. I have ridden many many steam locomotives over time, but the the UP 844 (formerly known as #8444) is my favorite. I simply love to stand by the track and let her go by. Here is an article written by a reporter Marie Watkins of the New Haven (Missouri) Leader. She wrote a column for her newspaper after experiencing Union Pacific 8444 (now UP 844) passing through her small town on a winter's day:



Outside El Reno, Oklahoma.


UP #8444 In 1974


"It snowed on Monday, March 12, the wind was biting and the day was dull, dull and gray. We remembered about old No. 8444 and shuffled up to the crossing to wait for the old steam engine...just out of respect for the past.
"The cold quickly stung our toes with pain, and the people who strung along the track wandered here and there and stomped their feet. A train or two passed, but there was no sign of the old steam engine with the cow catcher.
"We milled about, that half-hearted gathering of the cold and the curious. Over there was Mr. Williams...wait...
"A hoarse whistle moaned...Lord! MERCY! It was unbelievable! ""Old" 8444 exploded across the Front Street track like a page from Armageddon. It would be inappropriate to say the old geezer was smoking - she was breathing fury like a black demon. You'd a thought she was mad at somebody. And m-o-v-i-n-g? That iron monster never heard of chug-a-chug. She hit with such blithering force that it caused terror to rise up and go forth. Black thunder swept all breath away and the air roared with mocking anger.
"A hunnert miles and hour! A hunnert miles an hour!" the people would say later with disbelief, for the wind from 8444 blew one onlooker right off the railroad crossing."Before she even got here, No. 8444 was gone!It was awesome, just awesome."
- Marie Watkins



Under an overpass at Chickasha, Oklahoma.





At a crossing in Concho, Oklahoma.



And away she goes.

Roaring Past Concho, Oklahoma in 2007
Yes, It Is The Tingle!