Re: Has anyone seen UP steam special yet
Author: JD Lala
Date: 11-14-2011 - 10:06
I rode the Willcox - Tucson last week with only a few passengers. I had the rear car (business car 103) to myself for one segment and watched the speed indicator reach nearly 70mph on the smooth welded rail. The last time a steam engine pulled a train through the area I wasn't even born yet, so it was a great experience. :)
The consist listed above is correct. I have about 30 minutes of video from different portions of the nearly four hour trip, which I'll edit and post to youtube with a link here if requested.
From Willcox-Benson a helicopter (N123HP) chased the train and gave the engine a dust bath, and photographers were up on signal masts, dressing like UP employees and laying in the ballast right next to the rail. I kept quiet about being a railfan thanks to the antics of others.
JD
Sierra Vista, Ariz.