Today was really quite an experience. At 10:20 this morning a restored WWII B-17 flew over and at 10:40 UP 844 came rolling through Kearney. This has to be a lifetime experience for sure. The B-17 is on display in Kearney while 844 is enroute to Omaha for the College World Series. The B-17 was delivered on May 18, 1945; while 844 was acquired in 1944. Wished I could have taken better pictures but neither one would stop for me.
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Nice catch....love B-17's...and the 844...
Chris
Too cool!
Yes ... very cool! What a day!
So great that 844 is still tooling around like that!
Ken, do you know which B-17 it is?
"UP 844 at 80 mph "The Portland Rose" Crossing the Laramie River" .....
"UP 844 at 80 mph "The Portland Rose" Crossing the Laramie River" .....
Darn shame that 844 doesn't do THAT any longer!
The B-17 is the Aluminum Overcast it was here in Ogden a few weeks ago. The sound of it's 4 radial engines is probably the only thing I like more than the sound of the 844
I consider myself rather lucky in that I have flown in a B-17 (Fuddy Duddy) and ridden 100 miles in the 844 cab
"UP 844 at 80 mph "The Portland Rose" Crossing the Laramie River" .....
Darn shame that 844 doesn't do THAT any longer!
Why doesn't it, HW? Has it been mechanically "de-rated?" The video claims to be recent.
cbojanower: " I consider myself rather lucky in that I have flown in a B-17 (Fuddy Duddy) and ridden 100 miles in the 844 cab"
Yea, man .... I'd say lucky! Two thrills!
(Years ago, I was inside Sentimental Journey, at two different airshows [it was touring with a Liberator]. Even that was kinda a thrill for me. Amazing how cramped it actually was inside .... the waist gunners' proximity to the payload, etc. I try to imagine trying to get to the target, with enemy fighters attacking, etc. Crazy stuff.)
A couple of years ago I met the UP 844 while traveling in the cab of the SP 2472. A couple of weeks ago I flew on the B-17 called the "Nine-Oh-Nine." What a couple of great trains and planes! It is very cramped in the fusalage of the B-17. Matt
Why doesn't it, HW? Has it been mechanically "de-rated?" The video claims to be recent.
That video was from 2010. Within the last 3 years the "new manager" of the UP steam shop has virtually run off every single one of the EXPERIENCED UP steam crew from 3 years ago. The mechanical issues with poor 844 are too complicated and numerous to go into here. Suffice it say she ALWAYS runs with a diesel now and rarely over 55 to 60MPH.
Yeah, that's it Chris. That certainly would be really neat to be able to do those two things. They are giving rides while it is in Kearney for around $435/$475. As of matter it just flew over a few minutes ago. It sure looks like it would be a thrill for sure.
Ken
Ken, is the 844 still in Kearney. I may need to make a trip to Omaha to catch it.
Nick, it is currently in Council Bluffs. Here is a link for when it will be on public display. I hope you can get over to Omaha to see it especially if you never have seen it.
http://www.up.com/aboutup/spec.../steam/details.shtml
Yeah Jack, when it went through Kearney I thought maybe it was only going about 55 MPH, certainly not like the past! It was right on schedule though!
Ken
Ken GREAT to see you posting!
WONDERFUL PICTURES everyone.
I went thru the "Memphis Belle" B-17 Many many years ago. It was cool to see and touch a real part of history.
I miss Steve Lee......
Chris
I miss Steve Lee......
Chris
So do 3985 and 844!!!!
Why doesn't it, HW? Has it been mechanically "de-rated?" The video claims to be recent.
That video was from 2010. Within the last 3 years the "new manager" of the UP steam shop has virtually run off every single one of the EXPERIENCED UP steam crew from 3 years ago. The mechanical issues with poor 844 are too complicated and numerous to go into here. Suffice it say she ALWAYS runs with a diesel now and rarely over 55 to 60MPH.
I thought the 844 just got her 15 year rebuild?
Will running her slower keep her "in shape" longer? And are there fewer places to run at 80 MPH, even if Amtrak trains run on it?
I thought the 844 just got her 15 year rebuild?
Will running her slower keep her "in shape" longer? And are there fewer places to run at 80 MPH, even if Amtrak trains run on it?
1) You thought wrong. Her "big rebuild" was between 2000 and 2005, i.e. complete new firebox. Thus her 15 year FRA inspection should be due in 2015.
2) Running her slower only succeeds in tying up the UP main lines. No, there are NOT fewer places, since the majority of the UP and former C&NW main lines all have cab signal & ATC. Amtrak has nothing to do with it.
Aluminum Overcast warms up last month in Ogden. Yes the blades are spinning, but the iPhone makes them look like they are barely moving
Aluminum Overcast comes in for a landing
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