'Living Legend' No. 844 to visit Chester

An artifact from a bygone era will be making a stop at the Old Depot in Chester on Wednesday.

The Union Pacific Railroad's "Living Legend" No. 844 is scheduled to arrive at 10:30 a.m. and depart at 11 a.m. as part of a seven-state tour that includes stops in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

"The American Queen will be in town too," said Chester Recreation Director Patti Carter. "I've contacted the boat company and let them know and they think it's within walking distance.

"But we do have the shuttle company as well. We're hoping (the passengers) get to see (the locomotive) too."

No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for the Union Pacific and was delivered in 1944 when World War II was coming to a close.

A high-speed passenger engine, it pulled some famous trains such as the "Overland Limited," "Los Angeles Limited," "Portland Rose" and "Challenger."

With the rise of diesel engines in the 1950s, No. 844 was placed in freight service in Nebraska, where it operated from 1957 to 1959.

It was saved from the scrapper in 1960 and held for special service, becoming Union Pacific's "ambassador of goodwill."

No. 844 has made appearances at Expo '74 in Spokane, the 1981 opening of the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans, Louisiana and the 50th anniversary celebration of Los Angeles Union Station in 1989.

The engine is also widely known among railroad enthusiasts for its excursion runs, including the crossing of Sherman Hill between Cheyenne and Laramie in Wyoming.

"It's very impressive," said Chester Beautification/Tourism Commission Chairwoman Brenda Owen. "It sort of takes you back in time. The size and the power is what makes it impressive, but it does make you feel like you're going back in time when you see it coming down the tracks.

"It's an impressive thing to see. It's definitely worth peoples' time."

The Old Depot is located near the intersection of Rock Bridge Road and Water Street north of the Ardent Mills facility.