Union Pacific 844

[Mark W]

Well I just couldn't wait until the Thursday thread to share this one!  I chased UP 844 on it's way to Omaha, using a steady-cam.

[RBrodzinsky]

Fantastic!

[basementcalling]

Driving how fast? Hehe 

Nice video. Makes me jealous of the opportunity you had.

[Mark W]

I wasn't driving. 

But they were only going 55.  Back in 2014 while chasing it on the return trip they were pushing upwards of 80 on their way into North Platte!

[GaryHinshaw]

Cool!  But where are the rest of the foamers?   

[Philip H]

Geez - The old girl can haul a$$hat

[Mark W]

Cool!  But where are the rest of the foamers?   

Right?!  We chased from Columbus to Elkhorn and only saw about 2 dozen railfans posted up at different grade crossings as we passed.  That's 2 dozen total, one or two every few crossings.  And we were the ONLY ones following side by side.  In past years, we'd have a convoy of about 2 dozen cars giving chase! 

There was however a very good turnout at the pit-stop in Columbus.  This photo (not mine) shows the early crowd.  After the initial engine check over, UP set up a podium and presented the city of Columbus with a Golden Spike, at which time the crowd grew to about 300.  In years past, the Columbus crowd would *ahem* spike... at just about 100.

[C855B]

Cool!  But where are the rest of the foamers?   

That's the glory of chasing UP steam across Nebraska. We had the opportunity to chase the FEF a few years back between Gibbon and Marysville, and were the only fans anywhere along the route until Marysville.

A few shots from the trip:

[Mark W]

Well it's a little unfair to base Rail-fanning Nebraska on the Gibbon-Maryville route. 
That route is one of the few major rail lines in Nebraska that does not parallel a major highway (or any road at all), making chases very difficult.  US30 on the other hand is among the best chaser routes in the country, which makes the lack of foamers showing up for a steam chase particularly odd. 

But, it meant we had no competition to get my shot, so fine with me. 

[John]

awesome ..  does that horn sound kind of sick, or was it the wind distorting it?

[C855B]

Well it's a little unfair to base Rail-fanning Nebraska on the Gibbon-Maryville route.  ...

It certainly is. The other thing that was unfair in this particular chase is it was a barrel-shoot. A bearing overheated as they were coming into Gibbon, so it was 30 mph max the entire way, with multiple stops to check and re-lube. Heck, we had time to stop by Spring Creek and do a little shopping.

The pacing wasn't all that bad. There are sufficient stretches of back road to make the effort worthwhile. When the train is limited to 30, of course.

[Mark W]

awesome ..  does that horn sound kind of sick, or was it the wind distorting it?

I edited the volume for everyone's benefit.  120+ db is way too much for any consumer microphone. 

For comparison, here's the original sound; brace yourself about 30 seconds in: 

https://www.facebook.com/FreeMoNebraska/videos/1859438010974412/

[John]

I see what you mean

[nkalanaga]

And, once again, the video seems to be unplayable unless one is a Facebook member.  All I get is a black box with an animated graphic in the middle.

One of these days I'll learn not to bother clicking on FB videos...

[peteski]

And, once again, the video seems to be unplayable unless one is a Facebook member.  All I get is a black box with an animated graphic in the middle.

One of these days I'll learn not to bother clicking on FB videos...

Someday we will all be assimilated - resistance is futile (but I'll hold out as long as it is possible).