I think some people are correct in stating that management had a dim view on the 8444, and it wasn't used to it's full potential. When it was used during the 60's and 70's, it tended to stay close to Cheyenne, operating mainly in Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska. There were a couple trips they made all the way out the PNW, 1 was to Oregon in the late 60's, and another to the Worlds Fair in Spokane in 74'. Then they made a trip to Vegas in 80'. I have the book on 50 years of UP steam excursions at home, as it lists each excursion. I'll have to check it when I get home to exactly see how many trips they made to the west coast, especially before 1980.