A historic train engine will be in Laramie on Wednesday, October 10. Union Pacific Steam Locomotive No. 844, also called UP 844, is scheduled to arrive at the Laramie Train Depot at 3:45 p.m. this Wednesday, and the public is invited to view the historic engine.

UP 844 is the last steam engine built for the Union Pacific Railroad. It is one of ten engines delivered to Union Pacific in 1944, and was used as a high-speed engine for pulling passenger trains.  It was used as a passenger engine until the technology became outdated. After steam technology was replaced by diesel in the locomotive world, UP 844 retired from the passenger transportation game and began working in freight service in Nebraska from 1957 to 1959. In 1960, it was supposed to be scrapped, but was saved from that fate in favor of becoming a special service engine.

Now known as Union Pacific’s “Living Legend”, UP 844 has traveled hundreds of thousands of miles in special service and excursion runs. The engine is well known by railroad enthusiast circles. Now the Living Legend’s progress can even be tracked online via an onboard GPS. To follow the location of UP 844 go to http://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/steam/trace.cfm.

While the engine is scheduled to arrive in Laramie at 3:45, this time is only an estimate. As most train watchers are sure to point out, the arrival time of a train can vary by more than an hour before or after the scheduled time. The engine will depart from Laramie approximately half an hour after its arrival.

This is a great opportunity for the people of Laramie to see a piece of history as it passes through their own back yards. The public is welcome to stop by the Laramie Train Depot on Wednesday to see this historic engine. Viewing of Steam Locomotive No. 844 is a free event that is great for the whole family.

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