The UP 844, The Famous 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive

The UP 844 is a 4-8-4 steam locomotive which the Union Pacific dubbed, originally enough, "Four-Eight-Fours" and classed them as such (Class FEF-1 through FEF-3). The locomotive was simply one of nearly four-dozen 4-8-4s the railroad had built between 1937 and 1944, and were used originally in passenger service but during their later years served as freight power. The UP saved the locomotive from scrapping in 1959 and a few years later it was being used around the system for promotional tours and in general, as a good public relations tool. The idea has been phenomenally successful for the railroad and UP 844 operates "excursions" regularly each year making it one of the most famous steam locomotives in the country, even within the general public.

Perhaps the most well known Northerns to ever operate including the Norfolk & Western’s handsome J Class, Southern Pacific’s Golden States, and New York Central’s Niagaras just to name a few (there were many others). The Union Pacific's 4-8-4 designs were primarily meant to be used in passenger service with their 77" to 80" drivers. As mentioned earlier the railroad designated their 4-8-4s as Class FEF (which stood for Four-Eight-Four) and UP 844 was the last locomotive in Class FEF-3. All three classes featured a bit of streamlining and weighed roughly the same although each subsequent class was a tad lighter than the previous. All three classes could produce 300 psi of boiler pressure and between 63,600-63,750 pounds of tractive effort. For more information about each class please refer to the chart below.

Union Pacific's "Four-Eight-Four" Steam Locomotives

As early as 1960 Union Pacific realized the benefits of having a steam program and chose #844 to head the new division. The locomotive was restored to active service in 1962 and since then has been a wildly successful PR tool for Union Pacific running numerous excursions over the railroad each year, usually in the name of safety such as the "Operation Lifesaver" program. Today UP 844 also operates with sister #3985, a 4-8-8-4 Challenger which was restored in the early 1980s.

Some interesting facts about UP 844 include that the locomotive has never been officially retired from the railroad's roster, ever since its purchase from Alco in 1944. Also, the locomotive was originally a coal-burner but was later converted to run on oil while still hauling freight and passengers for the UP, which it continues to use today. Lastly, between 1962 and 1989 the locomotive's number had to be changed to 8444 as UP's numbering system bumped the steamer for an EMD GP30 which used the 844 number. In 1989 the 4-8-4 was returned to its original 844 number and now the railroad has reserved it exclusively for the steamer.

Normally restoring and operating steam locomotives is an endeavor that most groups have a hard time just being able to pull off and maintain, so one must always tip their cap to them. However, when seemingly endless funding is available, as in the case of the Union Pacific's steam program it's truly amazing what can be accomplished. For more information about the program please click here. Also, for more information about UP 844 and the rest of the railroad's "Four-Eight-Four" class please click here.

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Steam Locomotives Section

Share Your Thoughts