The UP844 Arriving at Hearst

On Wednesday, April 22, at 7:30 a.m. I climbed up into the cab of the SP2472 and we backed out of the Brightside Yard in Niles Canyon. We headed towards the town of Sunol and then on to a place called Hearst. There, we moved the 2472 to a siding and waited. About an hour later the Union Pacfic 844 pulled up and stopped!!! I got to see that great steam locomotive up close and personal for about an hour. I didn't have the spectacular elevated, puffing smoke shot that many photographers have gotten ... but I got some pretty good photos and had a great time. Also... Tank Engine #3 showed up on the scene and I took photos of all three steamers! It was like going back in time... when steam was king. I have to admit that I am much more of a steam fan than I am of modern trains. However... along those lines... there were three ACE Commuters and three freight trains that passed us on the adjoining mainline. After the photo op, we stopped the 2472 in Sunol and the entire crew went out to lunch there! Then we headed back to Brightside Yard. This will probably be the only time I'll ever see the 844... so... it was a fantastic railroad experience.