UP 844 came to town this weekend, and Martin and I were waiting. And waiting. I think we waited for over two hours on that bridge in Troutdale. But finally, a signal turned green, we waited, there was a puff of smoke on the other side of the Sandy River Bridge, and here came the 844, looking just like it does in all the photos. And what a beautiful train trailing it, 18 Union Pacific Armour Yellow streamlined beauties, including four domws and two (yes, two) observation cars. Don't see a train like that very often.
We took off after it and chased it up into NE Portland, near 11th and Killingsworth, where they greased the engine while it sat and sat on a siding. Then here it came again chuffing through the crossing and making the earth shake.
We headed up to Vancouver to the Amtrak station. Made a pit stop along the way and called home, as the train was 2 or 3 hours late. Lots of people at the Vancouver Amtrak. Coast Starlight pulled through for a station stop. Then pretty soon we heard from people that it was coming, double heading with the SP 4449. This is how the train looked coming across the bridge. It was a cloudy day, so I have brightened this picture a bit.
We took off after it and chased it up into NE Portland, near 11th and Killingsworth, where they greased the engine while it sat and sat on a siding. Then here it came again chuffing through the crossing and making the earth shake.
We headed up to Vancouver to the Amtrak station. Made a pit stop along the way and called home, as the train was 2 or 3 hours late. Lots of people at the Vancouver Amtrak. Coast Starlight pulled through for a station stop. Then pretty soon we heard from people that it was coming, double heading with the SP 4449. This is how the train looked coming across the bridge. It was a cloudy day, so I have brightened this picture a bit.
The train stopped at the platform while a few people got on and off. Martin wanted me to take a picture of the 844's elephant ears. The picture he requested is below. A couple of toots from the 844, then the 4449, and off they went. What a sound! This is why I am a railfan.
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