Crossing the Mojave River in Afton Canyon on the way East.

As Union Pacific 4-8-4 844 (ex-UP 8444, nee-UP 844) departs Cabazon, California, on November 17, 2011, a "rods down" shot was caught in a sequence of photos. (Thanks to Charles Freericks for givi... (more)

The 80" tall drivewheels dwarf a worker performing maintenance after the 844 arrived from Tucson.

Hints of fall color brighten up the scene, at least a bit, as UP 844 charges up Cajon Pass for the first time since 1989 on a cold, damp, and windy November morning.

UP 844 climbs above the clouds and breaks into the sun going up the Cajon Pass.

Rods down baby!!!!! (pure luck... but happy)

Rail fans of all ages turned out in droves on this sunny morning to see the loud and powerful steam locomotive UP 844 (4-8-4) head back to Cheyenne, Wyoming for the Frontier Days celebration. Ph... (more)

Sunrise shines on UP 844 while her caretakers prepare her for today's run to Las Vegas.

UP's big FEF-3 #844 rumbles through scenic Afton Canyon as it puts on a nice smoke show after crossing the Mojave river for the 2nd time in the canyon. 844 is on her way out of California as she h... (more)

UP 844 glides through West Daggett (formerly Nebo on the ATSF) as it heads for the jct. with UP's Los Angeles Sub in downtown Daggett. 844 will soon be on home rails for an overnight rest in Yermo... (more)

Steam special in the California high desert.

Union Pacific's Centennial Special for the states of New Mexico and Arizona, comes to visit California before heading home. Here it is seen traveling through iconic San Timoteo Canyon within the l... (more)

UP 844 heads east along the Cima Sub at Manix as it heads for Las Vegas with the SYRLV-20.

Just west of the Lugo crossovers on BNSF's Cajon Sub, the UP 844 steam special finds sunlight in the high desert approaching the Hesperia area.

Engineer Dickens blows the whistle of 844 as it thunders down the tracks as the wind blows through the hair of engineer Dickens with a crowded steam engine cab.