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12/28/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Tom Beckett
Dates:10/20/2024 - 10/20/2024
Album Info:Chase of UP 4014 from Hays to Sharon Springs Kan on Oct 20 2024
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First contact
Title:  First contact
Description:  I went up to Kansas to follow UP 4014 from its overnight stop in Hays to Sharon Springs. The train was back in the yard at Hays, so I went out along the line hoping for a shot that would work for a westbound in the morning. I caught him here at Yocimento, along old US 40, which follows the tracks from Hays to Ellis.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/20/2024 5:47:59 AM
Location:  Ellis, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  23   Comments: 0
A wider view
Title:  A wider view
Description:  The 4014 rolls west in the morning near Yocimento as the world turns into the browns of winter,
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/20/2024 6:02:08 AM
Location:  Ellis, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  12   Comments: 0
Going away
Title:  Going away
Description:  The going away view of the train at Yocimento. The accompanying diesel is the same on I saw on the train a week earlier in Oklahoma.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/20/2024 6:14:46 AM
Location:  Ellis, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  7   Comments: 0
Bringing up the rear
Title:  Bringing up the rear
Description:  West of Kansas City, the consist changed. It had been entirely a passenger train the week before, when I chased from Muskogee north on the ex MP. Now, there was a cut of covered hoppers and box cars, along with this bay window caboose.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/20/2024 6:20:56 AM
Location:  Ellis, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  10   Comments: 0
On the river
Title:  On the river
Description:  The 4014 crosses the Ellis River, whose water was once used to supply steam power when this was a division point. It had made a public viewing stop here.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/20/2024 6:25:21 AM
Location:  Ellis, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  8   Comments: 0
Wider view
Title:  Wider view
Description:  A wider angle shows the steam engine and the back up diesel crossing the Ellis River
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/20/2024 6:33:31 AM
Location:  Ellis, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  10   Comments: 0
Canteens
Title:  Canteens
Description:  Some roads called them cisterns. In todays world with its lack of watering facilities, steam trains need to carry a lot of water, which UP does by adding these two cars to the train, seen here on the Big Creek bridge at Ellis.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/20/2024 6:35:49 AM
Location:  Ellis, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,RollingStock,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9625(C44-9W) UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  10   Comments: 0
A little help from my friends
Title:  A little help from my friends
Description:  The steam train have a diesel that accompanies the train in case of road failure. For this train, it was this nicely clean GE.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/20/2024 6:42:53 AM
Location:  Ellis, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  14   Comments: 0
Caboose on Big Creek
Title:  Caboose on Big Creek
Description:  The KC to Cheyenne version of the UP 4014 tour carried 11 freight cars, and a caboose, seen here on Big Creek in Ellis Kan.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/21/2024 5:55:16 AM
Location:  Ellis, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,RollingStock,Bridge,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  12   Comments: 0
Past the grain bins
Title:  Past the grain bins
Description:  The 4014 rolls past grain bins at WaKeeney.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/21/2024 6:21:47 AM
Location:  WaKeeney, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9625(C44-9W) UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  15   Comments: 0
Passing another Kansas landmark
Title:  Passing another Kansas landmark
Description:  The 4014 rolls past the elevator in the small town of Collyer.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/21/2024 6:28:12 AM
Location:  Collyer, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  11   Comments: 0
Whistling through
Title:  Whistling through
Description:  The 4014 blasts between a pair of automatics as it whistles through Collyer
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/21/2024 6:30:43 AM
Location:  Collyer, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  19   Comments: 0
First one
Title:  First one
Description:  A telephoto shot shows the 4014 passing two elevators here in Park Kan.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/21/2024 6:34:55 AM
Location:  Park, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  16   Comments: 0
Then two
Title:  Then two
Description:  The 4014, now a little farther through town, passes the second elevator as he makes his way west to a public stop in Grainfield.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/21/2024 6:39:48 AM
Location:  Park, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9625(C44-9W) UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  16   Comments: 0
And a pan shot, too
Title:  And a pan shot, too
Description:  The 4014 passes my position along "old 40" as it heads west.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/21/2024 6:42:08 AM
Location:  Park, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  13   Comments: 0
Public stop
Title:  Public stop
Description:  The 4014 made several public stops this day, as it would the next in Colorado. A couple were posted on the website; some, like Ellis earlier in the day, were not. All of them gave the legion of chasers a chance to catch their breath and get some local shots and get ahead. This would not be much of a factor in the chase strategy between Hays and Oakley, where I 70 was the chase road, but would make a difference later on. The train sits at its Grainfield stop, as depicted by the sign.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/21/2024 6:46:51 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  12   Comments: 0
Quite a crowd
Title:  Quite a crowd
Description:  The turnout for the steam train, even in some of the smaller towns along the route, was impressive.Grainfield isnt near much, but there was still a large crowd there.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/21/2024 6:54:08 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  12   Comments: 0
Close up
Title:  Close up
Description:  A close up shot of 4014s smoke box, flanked by the US and Kansas flags, a UP special agent at the ready.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/21/2024 6:58:50 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Roster,Steam
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  11   Comments: 0
Popping off
Title:  Popping off
Description:  The pressure release valve was activated during its stop at Grainfield, resulting in a plume of steam,
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/22/2024 6:24:51 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  8   Comments: 0
Starting out
Title:  Starting out
Description:  The public viewing has concluded, and the is now getting underway west in a view of the grain elevator area, a common sight in this part of the system.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/22/2024 6:26:50 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  8   Comments: 0
Prairie panorama
Title:  Prairie panorama
Description:  The moves away from Grainfield ina wide angle view that show the ag facilities that mark much of the economic activity in towns such as this.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/22/2024 6:31:55 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  7   Comments: 0
Smoke box and flags
Title:  Smoke box and flags
Description:  The smokebox and lead truck of the 4014, adorned with the Kansas state flag. The engine flew the flag of each state it was in while it was there.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/24/2024 6:13:58 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  3   Comments: 0
Getting a roll on
Title:  Getting a roll on
Description:  The 4014 rolls west, gaining speed as it heads for Grinnell and west.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/24/2024 6:18:15 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  4   Comments: 0
Away and some train
Title:  Away and some train
Description:  Another going away shot, this time with some of the consist. The make up of the train changed west of Kansas City, now consisting of the canteens, a couple of tool cars, a pair of coaches for the crew, and 11 freight cars, a mix of covered hoppers and box cars.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/22/2024 6:45:09 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  10   Comments: 0
Bringing up the rear
Title:  Bringing up the rear
Description:  One of the few remaining cabooses in the UP fleet brings up the rear of the train as it heads west.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/22/2024 6:47:39 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  9   Comments: 0
Full train away
Title:  Full train away
Description:  A going away shot of the full train shows the new consist.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/22/2024 6:49:20 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9625(C44-9W) UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  11   Comments: 0
Broad view
Title:  Broad view
Description:  A broadside view of the train as it pulls away from me.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/22/2024 6:59:25 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  9   Comments: 0
More grain
Title:  More grain
Description:  Another going away shot of the train, now approaching another small elevator just west of Grainfield.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/22/2024 6:52:37 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,RollingStock,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  12   Comments: 0
Across the field
Title:  Across the field
Description:  As the train made its way toward the next town, I was able to get off the interstate and get a wide shot from a side road.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/22/2024 6:55:24 AM
Location:  Grainfield, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9625(C44-9W) UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  9   Comments: 0
Clean fire
Title:  Clean fire
Description:  The 4014 shows only a little smoke as it approaches Grinell.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/22/2024 7:02:27 AM
Location:  Grinnell, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  15   Comments: 0
Another town, another elevator
Title:  Another town, another elevator
Description:  There was a brief stop at Oakley, where theres a small yard. There was construction downtown, and access was difficult, especially for someone driving a Winnebago, as I was. I took up a position at the west end of town, near a typically tall elevator. The clouds had been building since Grainfield, and now were pretty heavy, making for a dark scene. Theyd clear by the time we got to Sharon Springs.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/24/2024 6:23:48 AM
Location:  Oakley, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  4   Comments: 0
Passing the signal
Title:  Passing the signal
Description:  The 4014 smokes as it passes the signal at the west end of Oakley.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/24/2024 6:28:54 AM
Location:  Oakley, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  4   Comments: 0
And a buggy, too
Title:  And a buggy, too
Description:  The caboose on the 4014s train rolls past the signal. Time to get a move on west.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/24/2024 6:30:07 AM
Location:  Oakley, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  5   Comments: 0
Framed
Title:  Framed
Description:  West of Oakley, the tracks follow US 40 closely, making pan shots easy. I took this one out the window of the RV as I passed the head end, framed by my passenger side window. The sun gleams on the engine, the clouds now behind us.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/24/2024 6:36:15 AM
Location:  Winona, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  4   Comments: 0
Wide open
Title:  Wide open
Description:  Now away from the interstate, the line crosses the high plains, and, aside from the road(and the marker for buried cable), is about the only sign of mankind in this remote country
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/24/2024 6:38:54 AM
Location:  Winona, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  5   Comments: 0
Blowin in the wind
Title:  Blowin in the wind
Description:  One of the main features of the high plains is the wind, which was strong, and you feel it constantly, especially in an RV. Its blowing the 4014s smoke as the train passes the signal and a lone cottonwood at McAllaster. Note the lineside pole at far left, with four stripes. UP marks its poles, where they still exist, with up to four stripes, each marking a quarter mile. This one is at a milepost, having four.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/24/2024 6:42:07 AM
Location:  McAllaster, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  5   Comments: 0
Two trees
Title:  Two trees
Description:  The high plains is noted for its lack of trees, though there are oftne many near creeks, where water is more plentiful. A pair of cottonwoods frame the 4014 as it makes its way through the rolling country near Wallace
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/25/2024 6:18:49 AM
Location:  Wallace, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  4   Comments: 0
Through a sag
Title:  Through a sag
Description:  Despite its reputation as being pool table flat, western Kansas is more rolling, however gently. The 4014 rolls through a sag near Wallace. US 40 is adjacent, and much less crowded than its farther east counterparts, largely due to the remoteness of the region. Traffic really thinned out west of Oakley as chasers cut off the effort. It would be a lot less stressful all the way to Kit Carson.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/25/2024 6:21:53 AM
Location:  Wallace, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9625(C44-9W) UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  8   Comments: 0
Bearing down
Title:  Bearing down
Description:  A tele shot of the train seems to have it charging ahead purposefully as it approaches Wallace, the fireman, ever vigilant, looking forward.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/25/2024 6:23:59 AM
Location:  Wallace, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  7   Comments: 0
Big sky
Title:  Big sky
Description:  One of the things I love about the plains is how the sky seems so expansive. Now that the rain has passed east of us, the sky is becoming that puffy cloud filled blue that is emblematic of the wide open spaces. The 4014 makes its way under the scenic blue dome.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/25/2024 6:28:54 AM
Location:  Wallace, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  8   Comments: 0
Opened up
Title:  Opened up
Description:  A wider view now really opens the sky as the 4014 rolls on, seeming to wade through the grass.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/25/2024 6:33:04 AM
Location:  Wallace, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9625(C44-9W) UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  4   Comments: 0
Over the rise
Title:  Over the rise
Description:  The train has now passed my position, and is about to top a rise just to the west. Ill catch up to it in a few miles.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/25/2024 6:36:57 AM
Location:  Wallace, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,RollingStock,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  5   Comments: 0
The chase is on
Title:  The chase is on
Description:  The 4014 and train have passed my position, and now its back to the chase on parallel US 40, as you can see by the line of vehicles. Normally, there is nobody out here. You can go 15 minutes without seeing another vehicle. Today, more traffic than Ive ever seen here, and Ive been running this route on and off for 30 years.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/26/2024 6:04:36 AM
Location:  Wallace, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  6   Comments: 0
Approaching town
Title:  Approaching town
Description:  The train is now in in sight of Wallace; the elevator now visible over the train.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/26/2024 6:06:17 AM
Location:  Wallace, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  12   Comments: 0
Through the gate
Title:  Through the gate
Description:  The 4014 rolls past an access gate to the right of way, toward Sharon Springs, which is a mile or so to the west.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/26/2024 6:08:51 AM
Location:  Sharon Springs, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4)
Views:  10   Comments: 0
Coming on
Title:  Coming on
Description:  I wasnt able to get to a road that crossed the tracks-not familiar with the territory-but was able to get ahead enough for this dark side shot as the train slowed for Sharon Springs.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/26/2024 6:18:34 AM
Location:  Sharon Springs, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  9   Comments: 0
Always a crowd
Title:  Always a crowd
Description:  As with every stop along the way, there was a sizeable crowd to greet the trains arrival. Here in Sharon Springs, that was true as well-the population of the town is only 657, almost half of Wallace Countys 1400 or so residents.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/26/2024 6:26:28 AM
Location:  Sharon Springs, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Yard,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  7   Comments: 0
Wouldnt be Kansas without one
Title:  Wouldnt be Kansas without one
Description:  The 4014 poses under the United Plains Ag elevator at Sharon Springs as the crowd checks out the train.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/26/2024 6:28:51 AM
Location:  Sharon Springs, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Yard,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  6   Comments: 0
Tied up
Title:  Tied up
Description:  The crew has gone through the procedures to tie the train up here, and it now poses in front of the elevator, ready for tomorrows leg to Denver.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/26/2024 6:32:15 AM
Location:  Sharon Springs, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Yard,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  12   Comments: 0
Close up
Title:  Close up
Description:  The 4014 and passenger equipment now at rest at Sharon Springs yard. It will get underway west around 0900 tomorrow, making a spirited run across the Colorado high plains.
Photo Date:  10/20/2024  Upload Date: 12/26/2024 6:34:50 AM
Location:  Sharon Springs, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Roster,Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  13   Comments: 0


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