Union Pacific Historical Society

The Union Pacific Historical Society is proud to announce a new product for sale to its members.

“BIG BOY and Other Sounds of the Union Pacific” CD, a collection of 26 steam and diesel sound recordings from the late 1950′s, is now available at the UPHS Company store. The digitally re-mastered recordings were made trackside by noted photographer Stan Kistler in Utah and Wyoming in 1957, and in Nebraska in 1958. This CD combines tracks from two of his albums released on vinyl in the 1950′s with the addition of some previously un-released recordings.

Here are a few examples of the action captured by Stan’s sound equipment trackside. Please click on the link to hear the sound recordings. Click on the back arrow to return to this page.

1) UP Big Boy 4010 drifts into Cheyenne with an eastbound freight.
2) Union Pacific 2-8-2 number 2206 whistles through Archer, WY.
3) An 4-8-4 works a train through Grand Island, NE. 

The CD is priced at $15 for non-members and $12 for UPHS members, plus shipping and handling. So add this CD to your collection and support the UPHS.  Please click here to purchase your copy of this fine CD.

Updated July 7, 2014 reb

December 8, 1933 – July 18, 2014

Thomas Lee, a founding member of the Union Pacific Historical Society and its first Treasure passed away Friday July 18, 2014.  Tom served on the UPHS Board of Directors from the inception until his retirement in 2011.  His tenure as Treasure was from 1985 until 1998.  He continued his UPHS support and work as Publication Committee Chairman and recently Chairman Emeritus.

When it comes to Kansas railroads and their history few can top Tom, especially the Union Pacific and the Rock Island.  He was born and raised in Manhattan Kansas within shouting distance of both railroads and watched a lot of changes run by.  From 7000 and 800 class passenger power, to M-10000 Streamliners, early E units, and the final years of the 9000 UP class locomotives.

He was an accomplished photographer with a large collection of railroad action all around Kansas.  He authored several books covering his favorites, the Rock Island and the Union Pacific.  For the UP his famous “Turbines Westward” has sold untold copies and his latest book “Union Pacific’s M-10000 and the Early Streamliner Era 1934-1941” published by UPHS in 2012, another success.  He had published many articles in the UPHS Streamliner magazine.  See Streamliner Vol. 21 Issue 4 for as good a eulogy as one could hope to present on Tom and his rail history memories and exploits.

Tom is survived by his long time wife, friend and companion Ann and two sons, Mike and Richard and their families.

Tom we will all miss you and wish you Gods speed on your next journey.

Respectfully submitted,

Larry Hochhalter

Fellow UPHS Board Member and friend

Posted July 21, 2014 reb

The Streamliner Vol.28 No. 3, Summer 2014 is now at the printers and is about to be sent out to all members in good standing soon.

This issue will feature a report of the traffic and operations around Ogden, UT in the 1950′s.

A story on the Freeport Center, the last great bastion of carload railroading.

and a re-cap of the adventure of UP 4014′s return home to Cheyenne, WY.

Posted July 20, 2014 reb

The Union Pacific Historical Society has added two new UP related books, not published by UPHS, to the UPHS Company Store.

The first book is “Building Union Pacific 844, The Birth of the FEF-3 Steam Class” by John E. Bush.

This book looks at newly-discovered information about the engine’s construction by the American Locomotive Company of Schenectady, N.Y., why it came to be built, and how it survived to become a “living legend” for Union Pacific. Includes 58 black & white illustrations. Cost: $19.95 plus shipping an handing. This book can be purchased here on at the UPHS Company Store.

The second addition top the Company Store is “The Un-Driving of the Golden Spike” by Jeff Terry, THorton H. Waite and James J. Reisdorff. 

This is the illustrated story of the un-driving of the Golden Spike in 1942 and the various personalities involved. It’s also the story of a century-long struggle to have America rediscover the significance of Promontory Summit, which culminated in the establishment of the Golden Spike National Historic Site. Includes 75 historic b&w photographs and one map. Cost: $24.95 plus shipping and handling.  This book is available now at the UPHS Company Store.

Posted on July 7, 2014 reb

IMPORTANT LODGING INFORMATION FOR THE UPCOMING OGDEN CONVENTION

The convention headquarter hotel, The Summit Hotel and Conference Center, is in the process of remodeling its guest rooms as the hotel transitions to a Marriott Courtyard Hotel. The Summit Hotel has notified the UPHS that the remodeling is behind schedule and will not be done by our convention. The hotel will only have 88 rooms available and now is completely booked up.

The overflow hotel for our convention is the Ben Lomond Suites Hotel. The Lomond is holding 10 rooms of single and double beds in the name of the UPHS until July 7th. After that date those attending the convention can call and see what is available. This is a suites hotel, $89 per night and includes free breakfast, free WIFI and parking. The Ben Lomond Suites Hotel is about a block and a half for the Summit, and 1 block from the depot.

Here is the contact information for the Lomond Hotel:

• Ben Lomond Suites Hotel
• 2510 Washington Blvd.
• Ogden, UT 84401
• 877-627-1900
• 801-627-1900
• www.benlomondsuites.com

Registration for the 2014 UPHS Annual convention in Ogden, UT continues. Please note that the convention registration fee will increase from $175 to $225  after July 1st, so please register for this year’s convention before the end of the month.

There are still a very limited number of seats available for the trip to the Golden Spike Monument and Historical site. If you intend to go to the site it is recommended that that you sign up for the tour as soon as possible.

The convention team is putting together a great program for this year’s convention. Here is an update on confirmed presentations at this year’s convention.

• Paul Burgess – “The Union Pacific Villa Grove Sub-Division”
• George Anderson – “Union Pacific Steam in Utah”
• Mark Amfahr – “”UP Traffic and Operations Through Ogden in the 1950s.”
• Jeff Asay – “The Salt Lake Trestle”
• Mel Johnson – “Ogden, UT in 1969”
• Mike McGinley – “The Great Salt Lake Fill”
• Lee Winten – “Ogden Railroad History”
• Rob Leachman — “Freeport Center and Clearfield Merchandise Trains”
• Wayne Monger — “Western Pacific’s Unit Potash Trains in Utah”

We  hope to see you in Ogden. Please click here to view the most recent, updated convention schedule which includes the official convention registration form.

UPHS members planning to attend the Society’s annual meeting in Ogden, UT can book their room(s) at the Summit Hotel and Conference Center, the headquarters for this year’s convention. Please call the hotel to make your reservation.

Please click here for hotel room reservation information.

Posted June 26, 2014 reb