SSW 819 NRHS St. Louis to Illmo, MO 6-17-90

Train returning to Pine Bluff, AR at conclusion of NRHS Convention.
1) Menard Junction, IL
2) Chester
3) Approach to Thebes Bridge
4) Departing Illmo, MO
VHS Master Recording

[@robertkresko6338]

I have pictures of myself sitting on the front of the engine in about 1966 when it was located under s shelter in Oakland Park in Pine Bluff. Years later in 1990, I was at Union Station in downtown St. Louis when it pulled in for the convention. I grew up in St. Louis and my grandparents lived in Pine Bluff. Used to visit them there several times a year. My grandfather was a retired Cotton Belt employee.

[@521wurlitzer]

Brings back great memories of this trip. I rode both ways Pine Bluff to St. Louis and return. I well remember how hot the weather was especially on the return trip. My only regret was not being able get more photos and video as most of my equipment was stolen the day before the trip started in Pine Bluff. Our car was broken into and they took everything.

[@drby0788]

That happened to us one year when we went down to myrtle Beach. We stopped at a gas station, and when we came out the doors were wide open. They stole my mom's purse with all of their cash, and CCs.

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

Oh sadly she will never see the rails again, U.P. just won't allow it. And that is a real shame as the 819 is mighty fine engine.

[@ACSCadillac]

I would honestly love to ride on a steam-powered passenger train but I think I would have an asthma attack!

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

Because the UP has a Zero guest steam policy, they only operate their own. And the UP owns the 844,3985 and now the 4014.

[@521wurlitzer]

@521wurlitzer The locomotive is awaiting to have manditory boiler certfication work done "someday" It is stored in the shops of the Cotton Belt Railway Historical Society in Pine Bluff, Arkasas. Since the merger of Southern Pacific into the Union Pacific, the engine has nowhere to run. The only hope would be a change of policy by the U.P. to allow non-U.P. steam to run on it's railroad. I don't think anyone expects that to happen anytime soon.

[@yankinga]

Union Pacific's policy is that they will only operate steam that they OWN and MAINTAIN. 819 is not owned, nor is it maintained by them.

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

I agree, it is an odd policy but they only operate what they own/maintain. Maybe someday...hopefully.

[@521wurlitzer]

The locomotive is awaiting to have manditory boiler certfication work done "someday" It is stored in the shops of the Cotton Belt Railway Historical Society in Pine Bluff, Arkasas. Since the merger of Southern Pacific into the Union Pacific, the engine has nowhere to run. The only hope would be a change of policy by the U.P. to allow non-U.P. steam to run on it's railroad. I don't think anyone expects that to happen anytime soon.

[@NEAFarmKid4010]

I've heard they had a load of diesel fuel to burn on this return trip. Made it seem like they put out the sun

[@NEAFarmKid4010]

@Napoleon Deathmask Oh trust me, they can. Any kind of oil that'll burn. But if the burner is set up for a heavier fuel, it will not burn diesel well, as is evident by this here.

[@nkproad777]

It could go to BNSF trackage if they would agree. (might be easy)