A LEGEND REBORN : THE NEVER -RETIRED 4-8-4 ROLLS ON

This article, which documents the history and recent repairs of Union Pacific’s last steam engine, the 4-8-4 , relates that this legendary locomotive is the only major steam locomotive still operating for her original Class 1 owner. Almost fifty years after the end of regular steam locomotive operations, Number 844, built in 1944, rolls on. Between November 1960, when No. 844 began excursion service, and June 2005, the 4-8-4 logged 287,933 miles. The article includes photos of the classic 4-8-4, as well as a detailed diagram of its boiler system and description of its overhaul which took place after the locomotive’s boiler gave out in 1999. The project took years, but on Nov. 10, 2004 the historic locomotive rolled into the Cheyenne yard under its own steam. Union Pacific expects that the locomotive will still be running for her centennial in 2044.