2. Great Western Railroad Safari 2010

Union Pacific 844 and the "Portland Rose" Cab Ride 12 September 2010

WOW!!! Truly the opportunity of a lifetime! Heartfelt thanks to our good friend Pete Lawson, who pulled a few strings with his friends at Union Pacific to get us aboard; Mr. Stephen Lee, UP's Superintendent of Heritage Operations; Mr. Ed Dickens, Jr., UP steam engineer; Mr. Rick Braunschweig, UP steam fireman; Mr. Ted Schulte, UP steam fireman; Mr. Brian ___((I regret I did not get his last name), UP Road Foreman; Mr. Denver McCrory, UP pilot engineer; and "Big O", UP pilot conductor ( and Denver's father-in-law). These fellows could not have been more accomodating. Watching these veteran railroad professionaIs at work getting the 844 and her train the "Portland Rose" safely over the road was a treat in and of itself, and Union Pacific should be very proud to have such men in service. I also can't fail to mention my good friend and co-foamer Sandy Smith, whose idea it was to try and set up this trip. Riding this machine at 70 mph is an experience we will never forget.
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  • UP pilot engineer Denver McCrory enjoys 844's smooth ride. UP steam engineer Ed Dickens Jr., hand on the independent brake, peers ahead through the steam.

    UP pilot engineer Denver McCrory enjoys 844's smooth ride. UP steam engineer Ed Dickens Jr., hand on the independent brake, peers ahead through the steam.

  • UP pilot engineer Denver McCrory describes the track conditions ahead to UP steam engineer Ed Dickens Jr., while Road Foreman Brian ___ looks on.

    UP pilot engineer Denver McCrory describes the track conditions ahead to UP steam engineer Ed Dickens Jr., while Road Foreman Brian ___ looks on.

  • UP pilot engineer Denver McCrory (left) and UP steam engineer Ed Dickens Jr., (right) aboard UP steam locomotive 844 12 September 2010.

    UP pilot engineer Denver McCrory (left) and UP steam engineer Ed Dickens Jr., (right) aboard UP steam locomotive 844 12 September 2010.

  • Big "O", UP pilot conductor out of Nampa, watches for signals ahead while UP steam fireman Rick Braunschweig adjusts the atomizer pressure. The fields west of Nampa are a blur in the early morning sun as UP 844 and the "Portland Rose" thunder along near 70 mph. Many thanks to Mr. Steve Lee and the entire UP crew for the ride of a lifetime.

    Big "O", UP pilot conductor out of Nampa, watches for signals ahead while UP steam fireman Rick Braunschweig adjusts the atomizer pressure. The fields west of Nampa are a blur in the early morning sun as UP 844 and the "Portland Rose" thunder along near 70 mph. Many thanks to Mr. Steve Lee and the entire UP crew for the ride of a lifetime.

  • UP steam engineer Ed Dickens Jr. indicates to the fireman just a "skosh" more on the atomizer valve.

    UP steam engineer Ed Dickens Jr. indicates to the fireman just a "skosh" more on the atomizer valve.

  • CLEAR BLOCK! Ed Dickens, UP steam engineer, whistles for a grade crossing west of Nampa, as UP 844 hauling the "Portland Rose" nears 70 mph. Brian, Nampa UP Road Foreman, hand-signals "Clear Block" to the rest of the crew. Many thanks to Mr. Steve Lee and the UP crew for the ride of a lifetime.

    CLEAR BLOCK! Ed Dickens, UP steam engineer, whistles for a grade crossing west of Nampa, as UP 844 hauling the "Portland Rose" nears 70 mph. Brian, Nampa UP Road Foreman, hand-signals "Clear Block" to the rest of the crew. Many thanks to Mr. Steve Lee and the UP crew for the ride of a lifetime.

  • Big "O", UP pilot conductor out of Nampa, keeps the required log of signals passed during 844's trip with the "Portland Rose" Nampa, ID to La Grande, OR 12 September 2010.

    Big "O", UP pilot conductor out of Nampa, keeps the required log of signals passed during 844's trip with the "Portland Rose" Nampa, ID to La Grande, OR 12 September 2010.

  • UP steam engineer Ed Dickens Jr. leans waaaay out of 844's cab to observe the drivers and rods.

    UP steam engineer Ed Dickens Jr. leans waaaay out of 844's cab to observe the drivers and rods.

  • Everybody loves steam, especially UP pilot engineer Denver McCrory (left) and UP pilot conductor "Big O" (right).

    Everybody loves steam, especially UP pilot engineer Denver McCrory (left) and UP pilot conductor "Big O" (right).

  • Veteran UP engineer Denver McCrory steals a moment in 844's engineer's seat.

    Veteran UP engineer Denver McCrory steals a moment in 844's engineer's seat.

  • UP Road Foreman Brian ___(I didn't get his last name) takes his turn in 844's engineer's seat.

    UP Road Foreman Brian ___(I didn't get his last name) takes his turn in 844's engineer's seat.

  • My good friend and foamer extraordinare, Sandy Smith, with whom I was lucky to share this amazing trip.

    My good friend and foamer extraordinare, Sandy Smith, with whom I was lucky to share this amazing trip.

  • UP steam fireman Rick Braunschweig stays ready to adjust 844's fire, as our train heads westward toward Huntington, OR.

    UP steam fireman Rick Braunschweig stays ready to adjust 844's fire, as our train heads westward toward Huntington, OR.

  • UP maintenance crew lubricates 844's running gear during a brief stop at Huntington, OR.

    UP maintenance crew lubricates 844's running gear during a brief stop at Huntington, OR.

  • UP steam fireman Rick Braunschweig takes in a bit of cooler air from 844's gangway during a brief stop in Huntington, OR.

    UP steam fireman Rick Braunschweig takes in a bit of cooler air from 844's gangway during a brief stop in Huntington, OR.

  • Blower roaring, dynamos whining, air pumps pounding, 844 seems anxious to be on her way...

    Blower roaring, dynamos whining, air pumps pounding, 844 seems anxious to be on her way...

  • Wide-angle view of 844 and her train, the "Portland Rose" during a brief stop at Huntington, OR 12 September 2010.

    Wide-angle view of 844 and her train, the "Portland Rose" during a brief stop at Huntington, OR 12 September 2010.

  • UP pilot engineer Denver McCrory, UP pilot conductor "Big O", and extended family with 844 as a backdrop. Huntington, OR 12 September 2010

    UP pilot engineer Denver McCrory, UP pilot conductor "Big O", and extended family with 844 as a backdrop. Huntington, OR 12 September 2010

  • Sandy Smith, thoroughly enjoying his perch in 844's cab.

    Sandy Smith, thoroughly enjoying his perch in 844's cab.

  • Yours truly on the left, behind UP steam fireman Ted Schulte.

    Yours truly on the left, behind UP steam fireman Ted Schulte.

  • Yours truly on the left, with UP steam engineer Ed Dickens, Jr. on the right.

    Yours truly on the left, with UP steam engineer Ed Dickens, Jr. on the right.

  • Veteran UP engineer Denver McCrory passes a comment to another member of 844's crew.

    Veteran UP engineer Denver McCrory passes a comment to another member of 844's crew.

  • "WE ARE REALLY GOING TO GO AFTER IT!" Ed Dickens, UP steam engineer, emphasizes that he wants at least 3/4 of a glass on the boiler water level leaving Huntington due to the steep grade and tight curves westbound. Mr. Dickens and the 844 really did "go after it" all the way to La Grande. Many thanks to Mr. Steve Lee and the UP crew for the ride of a lifetime.

    "WE ARE REALLY GOING TO GO AFTER IT!" Ed Dickens, UP steam engineer, emphasizes that he wants at least 3/4 of a glass on the boiler water level leaving Huntington due to the steep grade and tight curves westbound. Mr. Dickens and the 844 really did "go after it" all the way to La Grande. Many thanks to Mr. Steve Lee and the UP crew for the ride of a lifetime.

  • UP steam engineer Ed Dickens, Jr. scouts one of the many curves heading west out of Huntington, OR.

    UP steam engineer Ed Dickens, Jr. scouts one of the many curves heading west out of Huntington, OR.

  • Everyone loves steam! UP freight crew waiting "in the hole" for 844's passage, and spectators on the ground both get a friendly wave from UP steam engineer Ed Dickens, Jr.

    Everyone loves steam! UP freight crew waiting "in the hole" for 844's passage, and spectators on the ground both get a friendly wave from UP steam engineer Ed Dickens, Jr.

  • 844 and the "Portland Rose" get a wave from an opposing UP freight train, lead by SD70M #4826.

    844 and the "Portland Rose" get a wave from an opposing UP freight train, lead by SD70M #4826.

  • "Sanding the flues" Ted Schulte, UP steam fireman, takes a glimpse into hell while sanding 844's flues after leaving Huntington westbound. Many thanks to Steve Lee, the UP steam crew, and the Nampa UP pilot crew for the ride of a lifetime.

    "Sanding the flues" Ted Schulte, UP steam fireman, takes a glimpse into hell while sanding 844's flues after leaving Huntington westbound. Many thanks to Steve Lee, the UP steam crew, and the Nampa UP pilot crew for the ride of a lifetime.

  • UP steam fireman Ted Schulte keeps one eye on the track ahead, one eye on the steam gauge, and one hand on the atomizer, as 844 and the "Portland Rose" pick up speed west of Huntington, OR.

    UP steam fireman Ted Schulte keeps one eye on the track ahead, one eye on the steam gauge, and one hand on the atomizer, as 844 and the "Portland Rose" pick up speed west of Huntington, OR.

  • Our amazing adventure ends at La Grande, OR, but the 844 and the "Portland Rose" will continue on without us to Portland, and later the Pendleton Roundup, in Pendleton, OR.

    Our amazing adventure ends at La Grande, OR, but the 844 and the "Portland Rose" will continue on without us to Portland, and later the Pendleton Roundup, in Pendleton, OR.

  • Sandy and Richard yuck it up during our flight home to Nampa.

    Sandy and Richard yuck it up during our flight home to Nampa.

  • Our Cessna 210 ride back to Nampa was faster, but not nearly as exciting as our ride to La Grande in 844's cab.

    Our Cessna 210 ride back to Nampa was faster, but not nearly as exciting as our ride to La Grande in 844's cab.

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    "WE ARE REALLY GOING TO GO AFTER IT!" Ed Dickens, UP steam engineer, emphasizes that he wants at least 3/4 of a glass on the boiler water level leaving Huntington due to the steep grade and tight curves westbound. Mr. Dickens and the 844 really did "go after it" all the way to La Grande. Many thanks to Mr. Steve Lee and the UP crew for the ride of a lifetime.
    UP steam engineer Ed Dickens, Jr. scouts one of the many curves heading west out of Huntington, OR.
    Everyone loves steam! UP freight crew waiting "in the hole" for 844's passage, and spectators on the ground both get a friendly wave from UP steam engineer Ed Dickens, Jr.