Union Pacific No. 844 to Reunite with Big Boy for Holiday Tour

After a six-year hiatus, Union Pacific’s Living Legend No. 844 is returning to the rails.

The steam locomotive will join Big Boy No. 4014 for Union Pacific’s historic holiday tour this November, marking No. 844’s first public appearance since the pair traveled together in 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike in Utah.

The two steam locomotives will run as a “double header” during a fundraising excursion from Greeley to Denver, Colorado, on Nov. 21 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which will include a donation from Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program. The steam duo will then be on public display later that day at Denver’s Union Station, where Santa Claus and his elves will hand out limited-edition gifts. Admission is free and open to the public.

While Big Boy No. 4014 recently captivated millions during a coast-to-coast journey commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, No. 844’s return marks the long-awaited comeback of the railroad’s famed high-speed passenger locomotive. Built in 1944, No. 844 hauled some of Union Pacific’s most recognizable passenger trains, including the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger.

No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific in 1944 and is the only Class I North American steam locomotive never permanently retired from service. When diesel locomotives assumed passenger service duties, No. 844 was reassigned to freight service in Nebraska between 1957 and 1959. Unlike nearly every other steam locomotive of its era, No. 844 escaped scrapping in 1960, and Union Pacific retained it for special service.

Tickets for the holiday fundraising tour and a ride in vintage passenger cars pulled by Big Boy and No. 844 go on sale to patrons of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum on Oct. 16. Any remaining tickets will be available to the general public on Oct. 19. While the tickets are for adults only and part of the fundraiser benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, families are invited to Denver’s Union Station to view the locomotives.