No. 844 to Reunite with Big Boy for Union Pacific Holiday Tour
Union Pacific’s legendary steam locomotive No. 844 is set to make its highly anticipated return to public operation after a six-year absence. The historic locomotive will reunite with Big Boy No. 4014 this November for Union Pacific’s holiday tour, bringing two of the railroad industry’s most recognizable steam locomotives together once again.The upcoming event will mark the first public appearance of No. 844 since 2019, when the locomotive traveled alongside Big Boy No. 4014 as part of Union Pacific’s 150th-anniversary celebration commemorating the driving of the Golden Spike in Utah.
The return of No. 844 is expected to be a major moment for railroad enthusiasts, families and visitors who have followed the locomotive’s long history. The two locomotives will operate together during a special fundraising excursion in Colorado, giving passengers an opportunity to experience a piece of American railroad history while supporting a charitable cause.
Historic Steam Locomotives to Travel Together
On Nov. 21, No. 844 and Big Boy No. 4014 will operate as a “double header” during a fundraising excursion from Greeley to Denver, Colorado. The event will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and will also include a contribution from Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program.
The double-header operation will bring together two steam locomotives that represent different chapters of Union Pacific’s history. Big Boy No. 4014 has become one of the most widely recognized surviving steam locomotives in the United States, while No. 844 holds a unique place in Union Pacific’s history as the railroad’s last steam locomotive built for its fleet.The fundraising excursion will combine the appeal of historic rail travel with an opportunity to support children and families through Make-A-Wish. Passengers will travel in vintage passenger cars pulled by the two locomotives, creating a special experience for railroad fans and other guests.
Following the excursion, the locomotives will be placed on public display later that day at Denver’s Union Station. The public display will give visitors who are unable to participate in the fundraising excursion a chance to see the historic steam engines in person.Admission to the public display at Denver Union Station will be free and open to everyone. Santa Claus and his elves will also be present inside the terminal, where they will distribute limited-edition gifts as part of the holiday celebration.
No. 844 Makes Long-Awaited Comeback
The return of No. 844 represents a significant milestone for Union Pacific and the railroad community. The locomotive has been absent from public operation for six years, making its reunion with Big Boy particularly notable.No. 844 was built in 1944 and originally served as a passenger locomotive. During its operating career, it hauled some of Union Pacific’s best-known passenger trains, including the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger.
These passenger trains played an important role in the development of long-distance rail travel in the United States. No. 844 therefore represents not only Union Pacific’s engineering heritage but also an era when steam-powered locomotives were central to passenger transportation across the country.The locomotive later transitioned to another role as railroad operations evolved. After diesel locomotives increasingly took over passenger service, No. 844 was reassigned to freight operations in Nebraska between 1957 and 1959.While many steam locomotives from the same era were eventually retired and scrapped, No. 844 avoided that fate. In 1960, the locomotive was retained by Union Pacific rather than being dismantled. That decision allowed No. 844 to continue serving the railroad in special operations and ultimately helped preserve one of the country’s most important surviving steam locomotives.
A Unique Place in North American Railroad History
No. 844 has earned the distinction of being the only Class I North American steam locomotive that was never permanently retired from service. Its continued preservation has allowed generations of railroad enthusiasts to see the locomotive operating long after steam power disappeared from regular railroad service.The locomotive is also the last steam engine built for Union Pacific. Its preservation provides a direct connection to the company’s steam-powered past and the technological changes that transformed the railroad industry during the 20th century.
Its upcoming return is particularly significant because it will reunite the locomotive with Big Boy No. 4014. The two engines previously traveled together during Union Pacific’s 150th-anniversary events in 2019, attracting substantial attention from railroad enthusiasts.Big Boy No. 4014 has continued to generate interest in historic rail travel. Most recently, the locomotive attracted millions of viewers during a coast-to-coast journey held as part of celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary.With No. 844 now returning to the rails, Union Pacific will once again showcase two of its most famous steam locomotives together.
Fundraising Excursion Supports Make-A-Wish
The Nov. 21 excursion will serve both as a historic railroad experience and a fundraising event. Proceeds from the excursion will support the Make-A-Wish Foundation, while Union Pacific will make an additional donation through its Community Ties Giving Program.Passengers will have the opportunity to travel aboard vintage passenger cars pulled by No. 844 and Big Boy No. 4014. The combination of historic locomotives and classic passenger equipment is expected to make the excursion a memorable experience for rail enthusiasts and visitors.
Tickets for the holiday fundraising tour will be released in stages. Patrons of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum will receive early access, with tickets going on sale to museum patrons on Oct. 16. Any tickets that remain after the early sales period will be made available to the general public beginning Oct. 19.The tickets are intended for adults and form part of the fundraising effort supporting Make-A-Wish. Although the excursion itself is limited to ticketed passengers, families and members of the public will be able to visit Denver Union Station later in the day to see the two locomotives on display.This arrangement allows the holiday event to reach a broader audience while preserving the fundraising nature of the train excursion.
Denver Union Station to Host Public Display
Denver Union Station will serve as a central location for the public portion of the holiday event. Once the fundraising excursion reaches Denver, No. 844 and Big Boy No. 4014 will be displayed for visitors.The free public viewing provides an opportunity for people who may not have secured tickets for the train ride to experience the historic locomotives. It also creates a family-friendly element around the holiday celebration.
Santa Claus and his elves will be at the terminal during the event, adding a seasonal attraction for families visiting the station. Limited-edition gifts will be distributed to visitors while the locomotives are on display.For railroad enthusiasts, the appearance will offer a rare opportunity to see No. 844 and Big Boy No. 4014 together again. For families, the event will combine holiday activities with an introduction to the history of American rail transportation.
Safety Remains a Priority for Rail Fans
As interest in the steam locomotives is expected to be high, Union Pacific is reminding spectators and photographers to prioritize safety throughout the event.The railroad has advised rail fans to remain at least 25 feet away from the tracks when photographing or viewing the locomotives. Visitors should never stand on railroad tracks or ballast to take photographs or videos.
Union Pacific also emphasizes that spectators should never climb onto railroad equipment. Historic locomotives can attract large crowds, and maintaining a safe distance is essential when trains are operating or moving through public areas.Rail fans are encouraged to find safe viewing locations and follow instructions from railroad personnel and event officials. Keeping a clear distance from the tracks will help ensure that the historic holiday tour can be enjoyed safely by everyone.
Celebrating Railroad Heritage
The return of No. 844 demonstrates the continuing public interest in America’s railroad heritage. Although steam locomotives have not been part of regular commercial railroad operations for decades, historic engines such as No. 844 and Big Boy No. 4014 continue to attract audiences across the country.For Union Pacific, the locomotives provide a way to showcase the company’s history while connecting that heritage with modern communities. Public excursions and displays allow people to see the scale and engineering of historic steam power firsthand.
The Nov. 21 holiday tour will be especially meaningful because of the six-year gap since No. 844 last appeared publicly alongside Big Boy. Their reunion provides another opportunity to highlight the role railroads have played in American transportation and economic development.With the two locomotives operating together once again, the event is expected to be a major attraction for the railroad community and a memorable holiday experience for visitors to Colorado.
No. 844’s return to the rails is therefore more than the appearance of a historic locomotive. It represents the preservation of an important part of America’s transportation history and demonstrates the lasting fascination with steam-powered rail travel. The reunion with Big Boy No. 4014, combined with the Make-A-Wish fundraising effort and free public display in Denver, will bring together railroad history, charitable giving and holiday celebrations in one event.
ABOUT UNION PACIFIC
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations.