Meeting at Ogden Union Station

Big Boy No. 4014 and Living Legend No. 844 have met.

On Thursday the iconic steam locomotives faced head-to-head for Union Pacific’s celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion. The two met like Jupiter and No. 119 did at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869, when the UP and Central Pacific Railroad connected.

A ceremony was held at Ogden Union Station about 50 miles from where the Golden Spike was originally tapped into place. Union Pacific removed its tracks near Promontory Summit to support the scrap metal projects during World War II.

“This celebration is Union Pacific’s way of reflecting on our ancestors’ remarkable achievements that connected the nation while reminding us of the enormous responsibility we have for our nation’s future,” said Scott Moore, senior vice president – Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer. “We are proud our employees live and work in thousands of the communities we serve, delivering steel to construct schools and stores, lumber to build homes, the food we eat, clothes we wear and electronics we rely on.”

Union Pacific announced today the commemorative tour schedule for its historic steam locomotives, Big Boy No. 4014 and Living Legend No. 844. The iconic steam locomotives will unite for the first time in a public display May 9 in Ogden, UT, during UP’s celebratory event marking the transcontinental railroad’s 150th anniversary.

The festivities include recreating the iconic photo taken May 10, 1869, when the last spike was tapped into place at Promontory Summit, creating America’s first transcontinental railroad. UP no longer has tracks near Promontory Summit (they were removed to support the scrap metal projects during World War II).

“Completing the transcontinental railroad was a major feat that united America and laid the foundation for the country’s growth, economic progress and improved the way of life,” said Scott Moore, senior vice president – Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer. “The restored steam engines are rolling pieces of history that take us back in time as we celebrate this momentous anniversary. We’re excited to share No. 844 and No. 4014 with our communities, and invite generations to join us along the tour.”

No. 844 will leave Cheyenne, WY, April 27. It will make several brief whistle-stops in communities along the way and arrive in Ogden on April 28. The Living Legend will be on display at Ogden Union Station through May 11.

GALVESTON, TX – On May 10, 1869, two steam locomotives met on a far corner in Utah on freshly laid track. A golden spike was driven into a tie, and for the first time in history the United States was connected coast to coast by the Transcontinental Railroad.

Richard Luckin, noted rail historian, has produced a documentary film, “Journey to Promontory,” to commemorate the 150th anniversary of this historic event. The film will have its Texas premier at the Galveston Railroad Museum March 30 and will be broadcast on PBS nationwide later this year.

Luckin will introduce the film, which is free and begins at 6 p.m., and field questions from the audience afterward. Reservations are not required, but seating is limited. The museum is located at 2602 Santa Fe Place, Galveston, TX 77550.

Luckin is a prominent author and documentarian of railroad history. He wrote “Dining on Rails: An Encyclopedia of Railroad China” and his documentaries include “Amtrak: The First 40 Years: 1971-2011” in 2011, “20th Century Limited: America’s Most Famous Passenger Train” in 2016 and “Selling Sunshine: The Florida Trains” last year. In addition to his work with PBS, Luckin has also produced training and informational films for the United States Air Force’s Air Mobility Command.

High-speed rail in the U.S. appears to be veering off track.

Within two weeks in February, projects in California and Texas were dealt blows. The Federal Railroad Administration intends to cancel grants for the California High-Speed Rail project, and a judge said the Texas Central Railway cannot use eminent domain to acquire land to build a bullet train from Houston to Dallas.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that, effective March 5, the FRA will cancel $929 million in federal grant funds yet to be paid for the California High-Speed Rail project envisioned to connect the Los Angeles Basin with the San Francisco Bay Area.

DOT also announced it is exploring every legal option to recover $2.5 billion in federal funds previously granted for the project. FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory notified the California HSR Authority (CHSRA) of the FRA’s intent in a letter.

Past and future issues of Cowcatcher Magazine will be included in the collection of the DeGolyer Library and Special Collections at Southern Methodist University, the magazine announced in February.

Publisher Tim Blackwell donated a copy of each issue of the magazine, which began publishing as Cowcatcher Round Up in January 2004, to DeGolyer Library Director Russell Martin on Feb. 26. The library will receive a copy of future issues to maintain a complete set.

DeGolyer Library is the principal repository at SMU for special collections in the humanities, the history of business, and the history of science and technology. The library is well-known for its collection of local and national railroad history. “We are delighted to have a complete file of the Cowcatcher,” Martin said. “Preserving railroad history is part of our mission.”

DeGolyer Library has an extensive repository of railroad photographs, documents and other materials, including the works of Everett Lee DeGolyer, Jr., who lived in Dallas.  His personal collection, the Everett L. DeGolyer, Jr. Collection of United States Photographs, holds some 15,000 photographs and thousands of negatives of railroads that extend far from Texas.

Amtrak will acquire new mainline passenger diesel locomotives from Siemens Mobility to replace its aging National Network locomotive fleet.

Seventy-five Charger locomotives are being built for Amtrak’s Long Distance train service as part of an $850 million order that includes options to purchase more to accommodate use on some state-supported routes and future growth.

“These new locomotives will offer increased reliability, more hauling power, improved safety features and lower emissions,” said Amtrak President & CEO Richard Anderson in December.

The locomotives will offer the latest safety systems including Crash Energy Management and Positive Train Control. Capable of speeds up to 125 mph, the locomotives will be powered by a 16-cylinder Cummins QSK95 diesel engine capable of 4,000 horse power with modern control systems and Alternating Current (AC) propulsion. The diesel engine will come equipped with the latest Tier 4 emissions technology, reducing nitrogen oxide by over 89 percent and particulate matter by 95 percent, and provide an average of 10 percent savings in diesel fuel consumption.