The Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal or Union Station is coming up on its' 75th anniversary next year. Are there any hopes as to a repeat of the 50th anniversary where we had SP 4449 and UP 8444 along with the California State Railroad museums diesels. I know it's not going to be nearly as huge but does anyone know what plans if there are any to celebrate this ocasion? Thanks!

This brings up the very Important and interesting issue of HOW to celebrate major Civic events without mainline steam. Current OPERATIONAL Mainline steam on the west coast is down to about three (3) locomotives SPS 700, SP 2472, and ATSF 3751 (operational other than the UP Steam Program and UP 844).

POTENTIALLY the CP 2860 - Royal Hudson, SP 4449 , and ATSF 2926 COULD be added to this list at some future time (Joyful future time !).

The 1472 rule without a major-major national funding source (foundation) will likely curtail much of the current mainline steam locomotives outside of the (big railroads) UP and NS.
The poor , sad fans of the SLSF 1522 are already experiencing this problematic reality.
Our nation is missing a very important future opportunity by abandoning so much historic preservation. This very interesting and exciting historic story simply must be preserved by showing it to the youngsters of today.
I really really miss those magical days of Railfair 1999 and those major CSRM Railfairs in Sacramento, California. I hope and dream that the young kids of today get to experience similar future magical and special major civic events.
A mainline steam locomotive is the most magical and grandest way to capture the attention of many many kids and adults in this manner.
--- Daniel

UP and NS are doing a great deal of mainline steam operating. NS has chosen smaller power, and is using it well. Having ridden behind 4501 pulling over 20 cars.....let's just say when 4501 comes out of the shop, NS can please even more of the public in a single trip. UP can haul just about whatever they want.....

Do we have a count of the roundhouse queens all dressed up with noplace to go? Do we have a count of the railroads willing to allow them to have someplace to go? Would those circumstances lead to LAUPT? If so, will you pay for it? If not, who will?

Has anybody wishing to see a celebration actually dealt with any of the entities who are in a position to make it happen, and if so, what did each / any of them have to contribute?

Stop wishing, start building.

dave

Not to get facts in the way of hyperbole, but it wasn't the new 1472 requirement that retired 1522 again.

Also, cf Milwaukee Road 261, just completed a 1472.

I wouldn't say we are "abandoning" historic preservation, but dollars are scarce. Why spend $$ on an overhaul if the locomotive sits as a roundhouse queen?

Rising insurance costs killed 1522. I didn't post this to see if 4449 or 844 were coming, I more wanted to know if anything was or is planned. Who was in charge of the 1989 50th anniversary?

There was a lot more to it than that when talking about 1522, but that factor certainly didn't help.

Don't expect to see announcements until things are`firmed up.

Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal (or as it is known know Los Angeles Union Passenger Station) has been owned since April 2011 by Los Angeles Metro which is the operator of the bus and light-rail system in Los Angeles County. That agency might be a good place to ask the question. http://www.metro.net/

I don't know who you would contact at LA Metro. But you could start with the "Help and Contact Page." Or even the agency's Transportation Library.

Do not confuse Los Angeles Metro with MetroLink, the commuter train operator. Los Angeles Metro is one of the county agencies that provide funding to MetroLink.

Thanks Brian!

How could it be owned since 1911, if it was built in 1939?

That's akward....

Should be 2011. Post has been corrected.

Fingers have a bad habit developed by living so many years in the 20th century.