Herb Iske

The Great Race over Cajon Pass

May 8, 1989, Southern Pacific #4449 and Union Pacific #8444 put on the show of a lifetime over Cajon Pass after the conclusion of 50th Anniversary Ceremonies at LAUPT.

The Great Race over Cajon Pass
Herb Iske, Jun 4, 2007
    • Stourbridge Lion
      WOW - Both SP & UP in the same shot!!!!!!!
    • Herb Iske
      Well, they were racing one another. But seriously, this was quite a day in Cajon Pass and my hope was to record an image that would stand the test of time from a truly unique event. The video turned out nicely too!
    • BoxcabE50
      I believe it's Pentrex that has some footage of this race. Wish I had been there in person. The sounds must have been great!

      :D

      Boxcab E50
    • Herb Iske
      Pentrex and I believe a couple of smaller video companies were on hand that day. Sounds were definitely great! I shot from LA to Cajon Pass to Tehachapi Pass to Bakersfield. Quite a day!
    • clinchfield654
      Was it months later that UP took the extra "4" off?
    • HemiAdda2d
      The 844 was a GP30--after UP retired it, 8444 regained its proper number. Unsure of what month that retirement happened. Anyone?
    • BoxcabE50
      I recall a magazine article on that renumbering. Perhaps in Railfan?

      :D

      Boxcab E50
    • Herb Iske
      UP 844 has been in continuous service on Union Pacific since it was built in 1944; renumbered from UP 844 to UP 8444 in June 1962 to avoid confusion with newly delivered GP30 844; renumbered back to UP 844 on 2 June 1989 after the GP30 had been retired; painted in two-tone gray with yellow lettering and striping from September 1987 through June 1996; removed from service in September 1991 for a complete overhaul; reinstated to active service on 20 September 1996.
    • HemiAdda2d
      To add to that history, it had a flue failure in '99, was completely rebuilt, and back in service in 2005.
    • clinchfield654
      Hope UP doesn't patch the 4449 like they do the SP diesels.
    • Herb Iske
      Thankfully the #4449 is owned by the City of Portland, OR. Hands off UP!
    • fitz
      UP DID patch the 4449, with UP 845Y, at Fife yard in Tacoma in May 2007. It was a joke of course, but they did it. Doyle and co. responded by making 844's tender read "Southern Pacific."
    • BoxcabE50
      I wonder why they didn't choose UP844Y? That would have been the ultimate leg pull...

      :D

      Boxcab E50
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  • Category:
    Steam
    Uploaded By:
    Herb Iske
    Date:
    Jun 4, 2007
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    Comment Count:
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