Union Pacific Steam Volume 1

See both steam engines in the Union Pacific’s Steam Program: 4-8-4 #8444 (now #844) and Challenger 4-6-6-4 #3985. First we take you to Cheyenne for a 1987 Cheyenne to Laramie run of 3985 over famous Sherman Hill. This photo special was designed for a maximum number of photo stops and runbys – and we have it all on tape! 3985 is the largest operating steam locomotive in the world. Next we are back for another series of trips in 1988 as 3985 again runs over Sherman Hill. This time we get to join the crew! Hop on board and ride the cab with engineer Steve Lee and Fireman Bob Krieger as we top Sherman Hill westbound, and roar into Hermosa Tunnel creating an unforgettable sight of sparks flying into the cab (this was one of the last runs as a coal-burner, before converted to burn oil).

The second part of our tape consists of 4-8-4 8444 in 1989 which is first shown running side-by-side with 4449 entering Los Angeles, then a few days later climbing Cajon pass along side 4449 again. Then we shift the scene to Portland, Oregon as 8444 makes a 2-day Round-trip to Bend, Oregon along the Columbia and Deschutes River Canyons. This is the first steam run on this line since steam days. Then we follow 8444 all the way back to Cheyenne a distance of over 1200 miles. On the last day we are treated to a cab ride between Rawlins and Laramie, and there is some 70 mile per hour running. This tape ends with 8444 going into the Cheyenne roundhouse for the last time before its number was changed back to 844. Shot over a 3 year span.