On Cinco de Mayo 1989, Union Pacific steam locomotive 8444 hustles through Colton, California, with an excursion train on its way to Los Angeles to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal. The 4-8-4 was built by ALCO in December 1944 as Union Pacific 844, one of the railroad's ten FEF-3 class Northerns. This is the only steam locomotive in America that has never been retired by a class one railroad, having entered excursion service following the end of steam operations. This locomotive was converted to oil fuel in 1945-1946. In excursion service since 1960, UP 844 was renumbered to 8444 from 1962 to 1989 in order to avoid a conflict with UP GP30 844. Despite this being a Santa Fe line, on which Union Pacific has trackage rights, the small structure on the right is a Union Pacific depot. This may be a relic from when UP operated Colton to San Bernardino commuter trains in the early 1900s. (May 5, 1989)
