Union Pacific 844

Union Pacific 844
Union Pacific No. 844 running through Painted Rocks, Nevada on September 15, 2009
Type and origin
References:[1]
Power typeSteam
BuilderAmerican Locomotive Company (ALCO)
Serial number72791
Build dateDecember 24, 1944
Rebuild date1959–1960
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte4-8-4
 • UIC2′D2′ h2
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.80 in (2,032 mm)
WheelbaseLoco & tender: 98 ft 5 in (30.00 m)
Length114 ft 2+58 in (34.81 m)
Width11 ft 1+18 in (3.38 m)
Height15 ft 2 in (4.62 m)
Axle load66,622.5 lb (30,219.5 kg)
Adhesive weight266,490 lb (120,878 kg)
Loco weight486,340 lb (220,600 kg)
Tender weight421,550 lb (191,212 kg)
Total weight907,890 lb (411,812 kg)
Fuel typeNo. 5 fuel oil, originally coal
Fuel capacity6,200 US gal (23,000 L)
Water cap.23,500 US gal (89,000 L)
Fuel consumption15–25 US gal (57–95 L) of fuel oil per mile
100–200 US gal (380–760 L) of water per mile
Firebox:
 • Grate area100.2 sq ft (9.31 m2) (grate removed in 1945)
Boiler86 316 in (2189.2 mm) diameter
100 in (2,540 mm) (OD)
Boiler pressure300 lbf/in2 (2.07 MPa)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox442 sq ft (41.1 m2)
 • Tubes2,204 sq ft (204.8 m2)
 • Flues1,579 sq ft (146.7 m2)
 • Total surface4,225 sq ft (392.5 m2)
Superheater:
 • TypeType A
 • Heating area1,400 sq ft (130 m2)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size25 in × 32 in (635 mm × 813 mm)
Valve gearWalschaerts
Performance figures
Maximum speed120 mph (190 km/h)
Power output4,850 hp (3,620 kW)
Tractive effort63,800 lbf (283.8 kN)
Factor of adh.4.18
Career
OperatorsUnion Pacific Railroad
ClassFEF-3
Numbers
  • UP 844
  • UP 8444
Nicknames"The Living Legend"
DeliveredDecember 1944
First runDecember 1944 (revenue service)
1960 (excursion service)
Last run1959 (revenue service)
Restored1960 (rebuilt, but never retired)
Current ownerUnion Pacific Railroad (Union Pacific heritage fleet)
DispositionStored in operational condition

Union Pacific 844 is a class "FEF-3" 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad for its heritage fleet. Built in December 1944 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York, No. 844 is one of four surviving FEF series locomotives and the only one in operation.

The locomotive operated in revenue service until 1959. It was stored while awaiting scrapping, along with the rest of the UP steam locomotive fleet. In 1960, railroad leaders recognized the benefits of having a steam program and retained No. 844 for special activities, the kernel of what has become the Union Pacific's heritage fleet.[2] Today, it is one of UP's oldest serving locomotives[3] and the only steam locomotive never retired by a North American Class I railroad.[4]

  1. ^ "Union Pacific Steam Locomotive No. 844" (PDF) (Press release). Union Pacific. February 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  2. ^ "Union Pacific Steam Program". American-Rails.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-06. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  3. ^ Klein, Maury (2011). Union Pacific: The Reconfiguration: America's Greatest Railroad from 1969 to the Present. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 163.
  4. ^ Union Pacific Railroad (2012). "Living Legend No. 844". UP.com. Retrieved February 16, 2014.