Today, Friday April 6, 2012,  marked the end of week one that UP's 844 steam locomotive and train has been in North Little Rock. It will stay here for another week, then leave early on Saturday, April 14 on its way to San Antonio,  Texas. The official schedule will be out early next week, according to Ed Dickens, 844 engineer and Manager Heritage Equipment & Facilities. Mr. Dickens is here with the train and I got to chat briefly with him today. The others in the steam crew flew back to Cheyenne a few days ago, but will return Sunday and Monday, April 8 and 9, to help do boiler work on the locomotive. In the meantime, the engine and train sits quietly with no crowds. I've been dropping by each day to see if anything is new.
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I took advantage of the peace and quiet on this Good Friday to go to the display site to get some night photos, some with the Arkansas State Capitol in the background. A bonus was a full Moon rising and a crisp, clear sky with lots of stars. It's perfect weather, with temperatures in the 50s at night and 70s during the day. I was the only person there except for TWO UP special uniformed guards, who gave me permission to do my night shots. Like I said before, the engine and equipment are not open to the public, nor will they be before the train leaves April 14.
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Even though the official schedule of the trip to Texas will not be out until next week, Mr. Dickens did say that my earlier information regarding routing to Texas was correct as of this date, but always subject to change. The train will be pulled backwards to Pine Bluff early on Saturday, April 14, then head on the Pine Bluff Sub to Texarkana and go all the way to Big Sandy, where is will then head to Hearne, Austin then San Antonio. Service stops, times, etc. not yet available. (Sorry, but I don't have my UP subdivision maps with me to check things).

So, here are the photos:


Train and State Capitol at 3:15 p.m. April 6.


Ed Dickens, 844 engineer and
Manager Heritage Equipment & Facilities. I enjoyed my conversation with him.


Moon rising at 8:11 p.m. taken from the train site.


10 minutes later.


You can see two planets in the clear sky.


UP 844 and 1982 with the Arkansas State Capitol across the Arkansas River in the background, 8:24 p.m.




The white cars in the center is a northbound freight passing.


Same scene without the freight, 8:55 p.m. I went home.

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