In celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad the Big Boy No. 4014 and the Living Legend No.844 embarked on a tour from Cheyenne to Ogden.
The Cheyenne Depot Museum hosted a special event for visitors from all over the world to launch Union Pacific’s historic steam locomotives – Big Boy No. 4014 and the Living Legend No. 844. They began their tour with a ceremony at 9:30 a.m. featuring Union Pacific Dignitaries, Governor Mark Gordon, and Mayor Marian Orr. To stick with tradition a champagne christening was conducted before the final send-off to Ogden at 10 a.m. The steam locomotives are touring the Union Pacific system throughout 2019 to commemorate the transcontinental railroad’s 150th anniversary and today was the start of it all.
Marcella Simmons, Cheyenne Native shared memories of using local trains for transit in her youth, “I remember as a young child being in the roundhouse with my dad [Manual Campbell] and also traveling on the train to visit relatives in Texas.”
Seeing the locomotives start their tour today allowed for Simmons to remember these great memories. She further shared that her husband and 4 daughters went on a trip to Akron right before passenger rail discontinued in Cheyenne. The transcontinental railroad has witnessed many changes in service, technology and has evolved throughout the decades. Yet, Union Pacific in partnership with the Cheyenne Train Depot Museum brought to life the important heritage with today’s festivities.
Trending Now
Q3 Health Check for U.S. Small Businesses
