If you’re traveling along Highway 85 Saturday, you may just see a piece of history rolling by.
The annual Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days steam engine will be pulling a train full of passengers aboard vintage rail cars to the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo. As KUNC’s Nathan Heffel reports, “while hundreds ride the train each year to the rodeo, hundreds more will line the tracks waiting for the 844 to steam by at speeds upwards of 70 miles per hour during the 3 hour trip.”
Ever wonder what it would be like to be tied to the tracks? Here’s the damsel in distress point of view.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdpuyXD3xxI&feature=youtu.be
It's a view that a little reminiscent of The Lumière Brothers perhaps?
Engine No. 844, also known as Union Pacific's "Living Legend," was returned to service in 2005 after one of the most extensive steam locomotive overhauls in the United States since the 1950s. This was the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad. It was delivered in 1944, and pulled such widely known trains as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger.
Union Pacific’s website notes you can follow the train on Twitter:
A Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) transmitter was installed in one of the rail cars that will travel with No. 844. The GPS system has been integrated with a map on UP's website. Enter the word "Steam" in the search box on the homepage for a shortcut to the map. Website visitors will be able to access route maps with varying amounts of detail. The GPS system will update the map every five minutes showing No. 844's location. GPS updates are also available at http://twitter.com/UP_Steam
Here's the schedule:
