A blast from the past rolled into Topeka on Saturday morning, loud enough that some in attendance were wise to bring earplugs.
The great steam whistle of Union Pacific Engine No. 844 is as loud as a jet engine up close, scaled up like just about everything on that steam locomotive, its machinery easily outmassing most other vehicles on road or rail.
Visiting Topeka’s Great Overland Station for the first time in five years, No. 844 is a technological showpiece that Union Pacific Railroad has kept in full operation since it retired all other ...