Took up a waiting position yesterday on a gravel road that parallels the UP track for about a mile. My plan was to pace the engine and have my passenger get some great photos, since the track is only about 20 yards from the road. The last time 844 had passed this spot in 2010 it had drifted along at about 20 mph, so I was confident of success. Hearing the whistle a crossing a mile north, I get in the truck and get ready to roll. After a bit I spy the head light in my passenger mirror and I start down the road. Quicker than I'd planned, the engine has almost come abreast of me. Pushing the accelerator I'm soon running close to 50, but 844 has passed me and I'm falling farther behind. Deciding that driving much faster on a rough gravel road isn't prudent, I start slowing down. My lasting mental image will be of a young man leaning out the fireman's side window and his hair blowing back in the breeze. For me that just added to the image of speed. Just wish we'd have gotten some pictures, but the rough road and high speed didn't allow for much.
Been outrun by hotrods quite a few times in my life, but this was one of the best. Of course I should have figured 844 would out run my F-150, it did have a diesel locomotive along to help. 
