No. 844 will lead the Frontier Days special from Denver to Cheyenne and return on July 20 along with No. 6936. The diesel is one of 47 built by EMD for Union Pacific, with the “Centennial” nickname selected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike on May 10, 1869. The locomotives were numbered in the 6900 series to mark the “1969” date.
In order to get in position to pull this year’s Frontier Days train, No. 844 will move to Denver from its base in Cheyenne on July 18. The 22nd annual Frontier Days Special will make a round trip on July 20, between Denver and Cheyenne.
Special trains have carried passengers to Frontier Days activities as far back as 1908. The trains for invited guests operated each year until 1970, except during World War II. In 1992, the Frontier Days special train was resumed as a public event. The 20-car passenger train is sold out for this year’s trip.
A special train sponsored by the Cheyenne Depot Museum will be pulled by No. 844 on July 21 from Denver to Cheyenne. Tickets are still available for this public excursion, with proceeds going to the museum. Ticket information can be found on the Cheyenne Depot Museum website at www.cheyennedepotmuseum.org under “Train Excursion.”
Special Train Schedule
July 18
Depart Cheyenne 9:30 a.m.
Arrive Greeley, Colo. 10:45 a.m. – service 844
Depart Greeley 11 a.m.
Arrive Denver 1:15 p.m. (no public display)
July 20
Depart Denver 7 a.m.
Arrive Greeley 8 a.m. – service 844
Depart Greeley 8:15 a.m.
Arrive Cheyenne 10 a.m.
Depart Cheyenne 5:30 p.m.
Arrive Greeley 6:45 p.m. – service 844
Depart Greeley 7 p.m.
Arrive Denver 8:45 p.m.
July 21
Depart Denver 1 p.m.
Arrive Greeley 2:20 p.m. – service 844
Depart Greeley 2:35 p.m.
Arrive Cheyenne 5:30 p.m.
A GPS transmitter has been installed in one of the cars that travel with No. 844. The GPS system is integrated with a map on UP’s website. Enter the word “Steam” in the search box on the homepage for a shortcut to the map.
Website visitors will be able to access route maps with varying amounts of detail. The GPS system will update the map every five minutes showing No. 844’s location. GPS updates are also available at twitter.com/UP_Steam.
