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Tom Beckett's Collection
 
6/13/2025
 
 
 
 
 
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Past the elevator
Title:  Past the elevator
Description:  Like just about every town out here, Cheyenne Wells has an elevator, about the only thing here of any consequence. The 4014 rolls past.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 4:53:00 AM
Location:  Cheyenne Wells, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  260   Comments: 0
More sky
Title:  More sky
Description:  The clouds are getting tall behind the train as it rolls along US 40 near Cheyenne Wells.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 4:54:15 AM
Location:  Cheyenne Wells, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  275   Comments: 0
Rolling to a signal
Title:  Rolling to a signal
Description:  There is a siding to the east of Kit Carson, with the typical "traffic light" signal used by the western roads, on each track. This one is guarding the siding as the 4014 approaches. It will make an unannounced stop here.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 4:58:02 AM
Location:  Kit Carson, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  262   Comments: 0
Splitting the boards
Title:  Splitting the boards
Description:  The 4014 splits the home signals at the west end of the siding east of Kit Carson. Note the Colorado flag on the pilot.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 5:01:07 AM
Location:  Kit Carson, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  266   Comments: 0
Under a cloud
Title:  Under a cloud
Description:  The 4014 gets underway after its public stop in Kit Carson as the clouds move in. The shadows will be temporary, as the sun will be back in charge at the next stop in Hugo, 45 miles on.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 5:22:01 AM
Location:  Kit Carson, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  253   Comments: 0
Panoramic scene
Title:  Panoramic scene
Description:  The 4014 rolls west under the US 40 overpass about five miles west of Sharon Springs, one of the few places allowing such a view. Sharon Springs is in the distance.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/27/2024 6:09:27 AM
Location:  Sharon Springs, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  259   Comments: 0
On display
Title:  On display
Description:  The locals arrive to see the train, coming from all around.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 5:29:36 AM
Location:  Hugo, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  281   Comments: 0
The crowd gathers
Title:  The crowd gathers
Description:  Seems like just about everyone in town came out for the 4014, in a town that shows 742 population.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 5:43:56 AM
Location:  Hugo, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  271   Comments: 0
Blowing off
Title:  Blowing off
Description:  The steam pressure has raised the pops as the 4014 is ready to move. It will blow this town shortly.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 5:46:17 AM
Location:  Hugo, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  267   Comments: 0
Colorful
Title:  Colorful
Description:  There arent many trees out here in the high plains, but there were a few here at Hugo, and in color yet. I was able to get the engine passing a couple of bright trees as it departed.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 5:58:03 AM
Location:  Hugo, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  286   Comments: 0
Laying it down
Title:  Laying it down
Description:  The 4014 lays down a plume of smoke as it picks up speed.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 6:03:12 AM
Location:  Hugo, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  267   Comments: 0
A little more color
Title:  A little more color
Description:  Theres just a hint of color in the cottonwoods as the 4014 rolls away toward Limon
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 6:07:09 AM
Location:  Hugo, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  380   Comments: 0
Out of the trees
Title:  Out of the trees
Description:  I bypassed downtown Limon-its kind of a pest to get in and out of, and the tracks are on the back side of town, away from the highway-this is where US 40 rejoins I 70 to head into Denver, along with US 287 up from Amarillo-and I knew Id lose time against the train there, where there was no public stop. A few miles west, I found a side road with some trees, and caught the train rolling out from behind the ubiquitous cottonwood
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 6:13:28 AM
Location:  Limon, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  266   Comments: 0
The whole shebang
Title:  The whole shebang
Description:  The entire train is seen at this spot a few miles west of my last photo, still only a few miles west of Limon, its four passenger cars, 11 freight and a caboose in tow. At this point, the line has gained over 2000 feet in elevation since leaving Sharon Springs.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 6:17:31 AM
Location:  Limon, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  RollingStock,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  285   Comments: 0
Hay in the field
Title:  Hay in the field
Description:  They dont grow much out here, and what they do grow is mostly irrigated. This part of Colorado is on the western edge of the Oglalla Aquifer, which waters most of the area from north to south, between the Missouri River and the Rockies. Hay, however, is grass, which grows here naturally, a good fit for the semi arid climate-about 14" of rain annually-and is seen where there isnt grazing. A small section of hay bales greets the train near Agate.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 6:23:55 AM
Location:  Agate, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  272   Comments: 0
More train, less hay
Title:  More train, less hay
Description:  A wider view of the 4014 and train at Agate. As always in this part of the country, an elevator is in the distance.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 6:27:11 AM
Location:  Agate, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  274   Comments: 0
Colorful cottonwood
Title:  Colorful cottonwood
Description:  The cottonwood is a common tree here. It usually grows where there is underground water, a creek or pond. The leaves turn yellow in the fall, making for a good photo prop.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/28/2024 6:31:10 AM
Location:  Deer Trail, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  273   Comments: 0
More colot
Title:  More colot
Description:  The 4014 passes two cottonwoods, displaying their fall color
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/29/2024 5:17:02 AM
Location:  Deer Trail, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  293   Comments: 0
Just the engine
Title:  Just the engine
Description:  A close up of the 4014 as it passes through Deer Trail
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/29/2024 5:23:26 AM
Location:  Deer Trail, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  299   Comments: 0
More color
Title:  More color
Description:  The 4014 rolls past a few more cottonwoods, and a silo. The town here is on the other side of the tracks.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/29/2024 5:26:43 AM
Location:  Deer Trail, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  284   Comments: 0
The big stop of the day
Title:  The big stop of the day
Description:  The stop that was posted on the UP Steam Programs website was here at Strasburg, where it seemed everyone for 50 miles around turned out. The 4014 arrives, seen from the Wagner St overpass, just west of the station site, and where there is a now isolated yard full of relics.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/29/2024 5:29:27 AM
Location:  Strasburg, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,RollingStock,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W) PFE 1048(NW2)
Views:  333   Comments: 0
Tight view
Title:  Tight view
Description:  A closer in look shows the crowd, as well as the lift truck, and some of the odds and ends that are now land locked here: a box car, a stock car, a former PFE NW 2, and tucked in behind the silos, a pair of DRGW reefers, one of which can be seen to the left of the silo. It seems all of Strasburgs 1402 residents are in attendance.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/29/2024 5:40:56 AM
Location:  Strasburg, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,RollingStock,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W) PFE 1048(NW2)
Views:  330   Comments: 0
On display
Title:  On display
Description:  The assembled crowd looks over the 4014 and train.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/29/2024 5:44:42 AM
Location:  Strasburg, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,RollingStock,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W) PFE 1048(NW2)
Views:  317   Comments: 0
Pacing
Title:  Pacing
Description:  Actually, gaining on him. The cadre of chasers was rather thin on this part of the journey, as were 150 plus miles from Denver, the nearest large city, to the west. To the east, a lot of....grassland. Were over 400 miles from Kansas City here, and 140 from yesterdays starting point of Hays. Wallace County Kan has a population of 1400 or so; Cheyenne County Co, 1745. It will be an easy chase day, even in a Winnebago.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/27/2024 6:19:25 AM
Location:  Sharon Springs, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  273   Comments: 0
So slowly
Title:  So slowly
Description:  The time has come for the 4014 to roll out to its final stop in Denver. The crew, mindful of the large crowd at close quarters, moves up very slowly as it splits the sea of humanity before it.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/29/2024 5:51:06 AM
Location:  Strasburg, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W) PFE 1048(NW2)
Views:  304   Comments: 0
Still at a crawl
Title:  Still at a crawl
Description:  The 4014 slowly makes its way through town, still alert for the many locals who line the tracks taking selfies and phone videos. The scene has now expanded to show some trailers, two of which are ex DRGW.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/29/2024 5:59:39 AM
Location:  Strasburg, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  286   Comments: 0
About to go under
Title:  About to go under
Description:  The 4014 approaches my perch on the overpass, and is now starting to pick up speed.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/29/2024 6:03:50 AM
Location:  Strasburg, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  271   Comments: 0
The power and the glory
Title:  The power and the glory
Description:  The power, the protect engine, and the one getting the attention, the 4014, roll away, having now passed under the bridge. The chase is on for those who can get out-the road is two lane, accessing the I 70 ramp, but the congestion was pretty bad. If you werent parked near the top, you didnt have a chance at chasing the train.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/29/2024 6:14:49 AM
Location:  Strasburg, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  330   Comments: 0
Away
Title:  Away
Description:  The last group of townfolk are in a photo line as the train leaves town, throwing a plume of smoke as it goes.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/29/2024 6:18:56 AM
Location:  Strasburg, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  342   Comments: 0
Heading for the mountains
Title:  Heading for the mountains
Description:  The 4014, dwarfed by the landsacape, now gets a roll on toward Bennett, the next town west, and Denver. At left is I 70, and in the distance, the Front Range looms in the haze, 40 miles to the west.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/29/2024 6:26:18 AM
Location:  Strasburg, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  374   Comments: 0
Rolling on
Title:  Rolling on
Description:  The 4014 rolls on near Weskan, the last town in Kansas.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/27/2024 6:24:30 AM
Location:  Weskan, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  275   Comments: 0
Ever changing
Title:  Ever changing
Description:  One of the things I enjoy about the plains, aside from the expansive, wide open landscape, is the sky. It had rained about four hours the previous night, and that system was still moving off to the east, leaving a changing sky. It would become a feature for much of the days chase across eastern Colorado.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/27/2024 6:29:58 AM
Location:  Weskan, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  258   Comments: 0
Windy day
Title:  Windy day
Description:  Another long view of the 4014 shows the smoke blowing off to the side as it fights the typical strong crosswinds in this part of the country, rolling under a big sky.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/27/2024 6:35:18 AM
Location:  Arapahoe, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  269   Comments: 0
In full cry
Title:  In full cry
Description:  The 4014 is running hard and smoking as it passes a newly plowed field.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/27/2024 6:38:13 AM
Location:  Arapahoe, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  291   Comments: 0
Back to the chase
Title:  Back to the chase
Description:  Having shot the train at a road crossing, Im back in action, playing catch up as the train rolls toward Arapahoe.
Photo Date:  10/21/2024  Upload Date: 12/27/2024 6:40:16 AM
Location:  Arapahoe, CO
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Steam,Action
Locomotives:  UP 4014(4-8-8-4) UP 9625(C44-9W)
Views:  317   Comments: 0
Caught one
Title:  Caught one
Description:  We were heading up to Joplin for a trip to Pizza Ranch, which wed taken a liking to in trips to the upper midwest, and to Woodys Smokehouse to pick up some barbecue-and just to get out, since it was a nice day in the 40s, after a week of snow and bitter(overnights below zero) cold. As we approached Decatur, a UP nose came out of the trees. I turned at got it at the next crossing, taking advantage of not having to be on the west side of the tracks, as it was mid day. The 30 MPH board is for northbounds, which are coming into an S curve as they approach town.
Photo Date:  1/18/2024  Upload Date: 1/19/2024 6:19:31 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 9650(C44-9W) UP 8779(SD70ACe)
Views:  306   Comments: 2
Better angle
Title:  Better angle
Description:  A mile or so south, the tracks swing into a right hand curve, giving me a little more sun on this 91 car crude oil train. The leader appears to be a recent repaint, as it was the cleanest UP unit I'd seen in some time. It appears they have dispensed with the nose wings.
Photo Date:  1/18/2024  Upload Date: 1/19/2024 6:21:13 AM
Location:  Decatur, AR
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9650(C44-9W) UP 8779(SD70ACe)
Views:  384   Comments: 1
13T with UP power
Title:  13T with UP power
Description:  13T is stretched out onto the Chenango River bridge as it waits for a new crew to take its UP power and train to Allentown.
Photo Date:  2/3/2005  Upload Date: 11/19/2012 1:43:25 AM
Location:  Binghamton, NY
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Bridge,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9675(C44-9W) UP 4059(SD70M)
Views:  679   Comments: 0
Stacks west
Title:  Stacks west
Description:  A westbound stack train rolls through Cozad behind a GE and a pair of older EMDs
Photo Date:  5/27/2000  Upload Date: 2/6/2014 2:21:05 AM
Location:  Cozad, NE
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 9705(C44-9W) UP 6101(SD60M)
Views:  644   Comments: 0
Classic Southern style
Title:  Classic Southern style
Description:  A 121 car eastbound NS train behind a solid setof UP power rolls under one of the classic Southern signal bridges.
Photo Date:  10/18/2008  Upload Date: 8/16/2016 5:07:11 AM
Location:  Cherokee, AL
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9705(C44-9W) UP 9163(C40-8) UP 3030(SD40-2)
Views:  768   Comments: 2
Headed for the bridge
Title:  Headed for the bridge
Description:  A westbound train on the ex CNW rolls onto the Missouri River bridge, headed for the UP proper at Fremont.
Photo Date:  8/7/1998  Upload Date: 3/10/2014 12:50:53 AM
Location:  Missouri Valley, IA
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9727(C44-9W) CNW 8704(C44-9W) UP 3690(SD40-2)
Views:  713   Comments: 0
Eastbound on the Rock
Title:  Eastbound on the Rock
Description:  An eastbound rolls up the Golden State Route
Photo Date:  7/20/2000  Upload Date: 1/26/2014 3:41:40 AM
Location:  Greensburg, KS
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 9449(C41-8W) UP 9728(C44-9W)
Views:  780   Comments: 0
Buffalo bound
Title:  Buffalo bound
Description:  An eastbound train rolls under I 90 and into New York state en route to Buffalo on the old Nickel Plate.
Photo Date:  11/21/2000  Upload Date: 1/14/2014 1:54:13 AM
Location:  North East, PA
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  NS 8510(C36-7) NS 3307(SD40-2) NS 2580(SD70) UP 9728(C44-9W) NS 9180(C40-9W)
Views:  1435   Comments: 2
Q391
Title:  Q391
Description:  We were riding around Syracuse one day and saw this guy rolling west. We were in my wifes 2001 Stratus R/T, the 5 speed. She asked if I wanted to chase it. I told here there was almost no chance of catching up, given the track speed on the Water Level Route. Next thing, we were on the Thruway going 90 MPH. We beat him to Weedsport, just barely.
Photo Date:  12/30/2001  Upload Date: 10/26/2013 2:43:59 AM
Location:  Weedsport, NY
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 4289(SD70M) UP 4331(SD70M) UP 9728(C44-9W)
Views:  1002   Comments: 0
Still winter
Title:  Still winter
Description:  A westbound rolls through a late spring snow in Wyoming
Photo Date:  4/20/1996  Upload Date: 5/9/2014 2:57:46 AM
Location:  Tie Siding, WY
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  UP 9736(C44-9W) UP 6241(AC44CW) UP 6185(SD60M)
Views:  638   Comments: 0
Mixed freight.
Title:  Mixed freight.
Description:  Sometmes UP even runs general freight, this one behind the typical GE, and trailing an ex MP general service SD40-2.
Photo Date:  9/19/1999  Upload Date: 3/1/2014 2:04:15 AM
Location:  North Platte, NE
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 9790(C44-9W) UP 4240(SD40-2)
Views:  592   Comments: 0
UP 5336 east with merchandise
Title:  UP 5336 east with merchandise
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/14/2010  Upload Date: 1/23/2011 2:28:55 AM
Location:  Kemmerer, WY
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 5336(AC45CCTE) UP 9794(C44-9W)
Views:  772   Comments: 1
Through the glass
Title:  Through the glass
Description:  We were driving through Sallisaw OK making our way to US 59 north, when we were stopped at a light, and heard a horn behind us. A quick dive into a parking lot with a clear view got this going away shot of a coal train through the windshield. Glad I had just washed it!! UP 7174 was a returning friend; I had shot it on the KCS about a month earlier.
Photo Date:  2/28/2025  Upload Date: 3/1/2025 6:26:52 AM
Location:  Sallisaw, OK
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 9796(C44-9W) UP 7174(AC44CW)
Views:  180   Comments: 0


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