Part Ten

The Railfans of the World Descend on Ogden, Utah

This morning in Ogden could not have been any better…..except for the occasionally gusty wind.

Today was a day five years in the making. Union Pacific’s Big Boy steam locomotive #4014 made its debut after being out of service for over 60 years and a 5 year restoration project completed at the UP Steam Shops in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Local and state dignitaries were there including Utah’s governor and the president/CEO of the Union Pacific. 

Just like the locomotives at Promontory Point at the joining of the railroads built by the Union Pacific out of Omaha and the Central Pacific out of Sacramento, another working UP steam locomotive #844 stood right near Ogden Union Station. 

With the help of a walkie-talkie, UP president summoned #4014 to appear and come nose-to-nose within 15 feet of #844. Little by little, railfans were able to cycle thru to the front of the crowd control railing and get their pictures of both locomotives. I met railfans from Sweden, Great Britain, and Australia who came to see this worldly event.

After the festivities, there were many vendors of food, drink and merchandise down the 2 blocks of 25^th Street that were closed off to vehicular traffic.

All in all, it was a great day. A whole load of pictures of today’s event follow this blog. f Ogden for a beautiful day.

Welcome back to the rails, #4014.

Anyway, Friday we head to Promontory Point, Utah for the ceremony to celebrate the competition of the Transcontinental Railroad at 2:47pm MDT 150 years ago.

Please stay tuned.

And before we leave today, I'd like to end with a personal note to my sister-in-law Janie. I was wondering how much walking around Ogden I did today. Here the report from my iPhone:

Does this qualify me for the 10,000step club? Just asking.

I am Philip J Zocco. On The Road. In Ogden, Utah.