UP 844 at Navasta and Hearne TX

[Ian Roberts]

After display in Houston, Union Pacific 4-8-4 No 844 and its assisting diesel headed for Hearn TX for a one day display on the 30th
These pictures are taken around Navasota TX about 72 miles (116Km) North West of Houston on the old Southern Pacific Line to Dallas and later at Hearn about 60 miles (97Km) further on
Navasota also has a BNSF line from Beaumont to points West and a second UP (Formerly MP) line from Houston via Spring. The BNSF lines crosses the ex SP line on the level. Two other lines formerly existed but are now abandoned.
Hearne has another level crossing by the UP ex MP line and there are two routes from Navasota, the train was supposed to take the direct route but a breakdown forced the use of the secondary which rejoined the main line by a very sharp curve with much flange squealing as the 22 foot wheelbase was forced round it.

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After holding East of Navasota, 844 restarts to cross the BNSF diamond and enter the site of the ex SP station

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844 Crossing the BNSF diamond

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BNSF ES44AC 6160 & 6283 cross the diamond and head west with about a mile of coal empties for mines in Wyoming

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At the rear of the coal empties, remote control SD70MAC 9688 and a sister.

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844 restarts from the site of Navasota station showing the early 20th century architecture, now a victim of Walmart arriving on the outskirts of town.

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844 crossing TX 105 while departing.

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844 comes round the sharp left hand bend to rejoin the mainline south of Hearne

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844 at Hearne

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855 secured for the night in Hearne, the steam from the double chimney is from the air brake compressors, the steam further back is from twin dynamos.

[Ian Roberts]

Union Pacific were most cooperative by providing a cell phone App which showed the position of the train relative to the users position and thus, when the diversion took place we were able to be at the junction instead of waiting on the expected route.
I also noted a typo on the last photo. It should read 844 not 855 (The perils of a tired one fingure typer)