By The Informer Staff

 Legendary steam locomotive No. 844 is on a multi-segment tour celebrating Union Pacific’s 150th anniversary, and sharing the company’s rich history with the communities it serves, including several across Kansas.

Visitors can step inside Union Pacific’s vintage Promontory baggage car that has been transformed into a state-of-the-art traveling museum. The traveling exhibit closely replicates the full-scale Building America exhibit that opened earlier this year at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The traveling exhibit takes visitors back in time using the latest interactive touch screen technology to illustrate how Union Pacific supported communities as they were established along the way as the transcontinental railroad was built. The interactive experience culminates with the modern Union Pacific Railroad, which transports goods American businesses and consumers use every day.

Additional information on the steam train and its arrival/departure times can be found at www.upsteam.com. 

No. 844 will pull the traveling exhibit 13,000 miles through 15 states as part of Union Pacific’s 150th anniversary celebration.

“Our 150th anniversary is a milestone that provides us with the opportunity to thank our communities for supporting Union Pacific,” said Robert W. Turner, senior vice president - corporate relations for Union Pacific. “We are happy to celebrate our past and look forward to continuing to meet America’s freight transportation needs.”

Known as the Living Legend, No. 844 is scheduled to make overnight stops with stationary displays along the route, including the following in Kansas: 

• Monday, Aug. 13 – Depart 8 a.m. Des Moines, Iowa; Arrive, 9:30 a.m./Depart 10:01 a.m., Chariton, Iowa; Arrive. 11: 45 a.m./Depart 12:15 p.m., Trenton, Mo.; Arrive 1:15 p.m./Depart 1:45 p.m., Polo, Mo.; Arrive 3:30 p.m., Kansas City, Mo. Union Station. 

• Tuesday, Aug. 14 – Depart 8 a.m., Kansas City, Mo. Union Station; Arrive 10:15 a.m./Depart 10:45 a.m., Topeka, Kan. Overland Station; Arrive 12:15 p.m./Depart 12:45 p.m., Manhattan, Griffith Park; Arrive 2:01 p.m./Depart 2:30 p.m., Abilene, Cedar Street Crossing; Arrive 3:01 p.m., Salina Old Depot.

• Wednesday, Aug. 15 – On display, 4-9 a.m., Salina Old Depot.

• Thursday, Aug. 16 – Depart 8 a.m., Salina Old Depot; Arrive 10:01 a.m./Depart 10:30 a.m., Russell, Main Street; Arrive 12:01 p.m./Depart 12:30 p.m., WaKeeny; Arrive 2:01 p.m./Depart 2:30 p.m., Oakley; Arrive 3:15 p.m. Sharon Springs.

• Friday, Aug. 17 – Depart 8 a.m., Sharon Springs, destination Kit Carson, Colo.

 For additional information 

Additional information on the steam train and its arrival/departure times can be found at www.upsteam.com.