BIG BOYS AND BROTHERS IN THE '50S

We see 13 different Big Boys, including the famous No. 4014, in regular freight service, and even double-headed Big Boys. Next, both early and late 4-6-6-4 Challengers are seen in action. The film continues with the 4-8-4 800s, hauling both freight and passenger trains. The now famous #844 is shown hauling a mail train over Sherman Hill, prior to becoming "the ambassador of steam." The final 2 chapters cover the Turbines and a variety of UP First Generation Diesels.  Professionally and expertly converted to digital video, the films have outstanding clarity and color, and living steam sound. The content of this DVD has never been seen before and is sure to please! 68 minutes, 98% color. Produced by JMJ Productions © 2014

8444 IN THE BEGINNING

While mammoth “Big Boys” and decapods lay dormant awaiting the fall grain rush and the great City fleet of Streamliners whisked by, 8444 worked. This DVD salutes 8444 in spectacular excursions from Denver to Rawlins and Ogden to Green River, complete with domes and full service diners. A marvelous brass-railed, open platform 1890’s observation car brings up the rear of a glistening streamlined consist. Explore the Dent Branch between Denver and La Salle in detail. In the finale, 8444 forges through a major blizzard on Sherman Hill in what UP upper management threatened would be her last run. But, luckily for us, she continues to steam on to the present day. 30 minutes

8444 AT WORK!

Watch the best run pasts chosen from 15 years of shooting on Sherman Hill—with breathtaking views from both the ground and air—while listening to the rich history of the Union Pacific rail lines on this famous grade. The DVD captures 8444 between fan trips in the 1960s and 70s, hauling both revenue freight and passenger service, and features a singular event when 8444 pulled “The City of St. Louis” from Denver to Cheyenne. Follow this unique trip from both trackside and in the cab. She also steams from Rawlins with a 105 car way freight. 8444 then takes the UP hotshot “Northwest Forwarder” Cheyenne to Rawlins non-stop with 78 cars. She is part of the Union Pacific’s “royal family of steam.” Catch the intrepid 8444 hard at work! 34 minutes

8444 ACROSS OREGON

The train sets out from Colorado, climbs Sherman Hill, and blazes down Weber and Echo canyons into Utah. We pace her across Idaho. The DVD tracks the engine on four runs over the Blue Mountains between La Grande and Pendelton crowned with snow. Dynamic pacing shots follow 8444 mile after mile at 70 MPH along the azure rim of the great Columbia River Gorge, through tunnels, over bridges, and across long fills reflected in the deep blue of the river itself. Bonus footage depicts a Great Northern passenger train climbing the arid canyon of the Deschutes River, a tributary of the Columbia River, accessible only by train. Watch from a Dutch door while a moonscape scenery unfolds between Wishram and Madras. 46 minutes

The 3985 Challenger

Travel behind the 3985 on her first outings in 1981 after reconstruction by a group of volunteer UP employees. Pace her from the air as 3985 doubleheads with Engine #8444 over Sherman Hill and the two engines work together to crest Donner Pass deep in snow. Follow 3985’s first solo expedition across Wyoming and through the Bear River Range to Pocatello, and the first fan trip down the city streets of Salt Lake, south to Provo, with breathtaking pacing against the Wasatch Range white with winter. The DVD includes bonus footage of 4-6-6-4s, a few 4-8-4s, and early diesels in the 1940s on the high Plains of Nebraska when Challengers did real work on the Union Pacific. 48 minutes