South Platte Press: Fifty Years of Union Pacific Steam Excursions

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Fifty Years of Union Pacific Steam Excursions

By Lloyd E. Stagner
and James J. Reisdorff

64 pages, softcover

$19.95

"The 62 excellent photos and written listings of fan trips capture the feel of not only these and other locomotives used in UP Steam Excursions, but provide a feel for how much railroad history is represented. . . Overall, this is a fascinating historical record and collection of steam photos."

-- Bob Jefferis, The Local
Kansas City Chapter - National
Railway Historical Society

Fifty Years of Union Pacific Steam Excursions is a year-by-year review of the many memorable steam-powered excursion trains operated by the Union Pacific Railroad for both railfans and viewers at large. The era began May 17, 1953, when UP Challenger-type engine No. 3967 pulled a fan trip from Denver to Laramie and back. The tradition continues half a century later as as the Union Pacific still maintains two active team locomotives, Northern-type No. 844 and Challenger-type No. 3985, as the company's "good will ambassadors" to the American public. Stagner and Reisdorff use photographs and an extensive timeline to explore how the Union Pacific has become the last main line road in America to maintain steam for both promotional and education purposes. This is the story of 844 -- the only steam locomotive that has never been retired from active service on a Class I railroad -- and of 3985 -- the largest active steam locomotive in the world. It is also a tribute to the many individuals who have made it possible for Union Pacific steam to operate into the 21st century.