Union Pacific to Fund Cheyenne Depot Mural; Celebrate Return of Famed Steam Locomotive No. 844
Omaha, Neb., June 1, 2005 – Union Pacific will present a check for $10,000 to the Cheyenne Depot Museum, Wednesday, June 8, and begin a two-day celebration of the return of its famed excursion steam locomotive, No. 844.
The Union Pacific Foundation check is for a ceramic tile floor mural in the historic depot depicting UP trains. Union Pacific donated the 1886 landmark structure to the City of Cheyenne in 1993. Since then, the building has undergone an extensive restoration and conversion to a museum.
The steam locomotive will be on display June 9 and 10. A special souvenir car that accompanies the engine on its trips will also be open. Free rides for children in Union Pacific’s miniature "parade train" also will be offered. The display will be at 1320 W. Parsley Blvd. at the west end of the Union Pacific switching yard in Cheyenne. Hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
No. 844, also known as Union Pacific’s "Living Legend," is returning to service after one of the most extensive steam locomotive overhauls in the United States since the 1950s. It is scheduled to pull a special passenger train July 23 from Denver to Cheyenne and back for the annual Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days Train.
The overhaul began in 2000, and included extensive overhauls of its running gear, pumps, piping, values, springs along with replacement of its firebox and extensive boiler work. Even the cab interior has been refurbished.
The engine was the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific. Delivered in 1944, it has the distinction of being the only operating steam locomotive in America that was never retired. In 1960, No. 844, after a career in hauling passenger and freight trains, was held for special service.
No. 844 is maintained at Union Pacific’s shops in Cheyenne where UP’s other operational excursion steam locomotive, the Challenger No. 3985, also is headquartered.
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, is the largest railroad in North America, covering 23 states across the western two-thirds of the United States. A strong focus on quality and a strategically advantageous route structure enable the company to serve customers in critical and fast growing markets. It is a leading carrier of low-sulfur coal used in electrical power generation and has broad coverage of the large chemical-producing areas along the Gulf Coast. With competitive long-haul routes between all major West Coast ports and eastern gateways, and as the only railroad to serve all six major gateways to Mexico, Union Pacific has the premier rail franchise in North America.
For further information, contact John Bromley at (402) 544-3475.
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