Union Pacific 535 - Film

'Ol 535 is a Consolidation (C-57) 2-8-0 built in 1903 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. She was sent to the Laramie North Park & Western Branch Line in 1947 with sister 533. At the time, it was owned by Union Pacific, and nicknamed the "Coalmont Branch." This line began in Laramie, WY, through the towns of Miller, Centennial, Albany, Fox Park, and WyoColo. The railroad crossed the Wyoming/Colorado boarder and traveled through Kings Canyon, and the towns of Camp, Cowdrey, Walden, and Coalmont. 535 was the last steam locomotive to operate the line before being replaced by a diesel in 1958, possibly SD7 457 seen in the video. In 1986, the WYCO Railroad Company used the branch as a passenger excursion line, but ultimately failed when the old lease expired in 1995. The line was scrapped 1997-2002, but the 111 mile roadbed is nearly untouched.

535 is now on display in Depot Park, or Harriman Park in Laramie. The point of this documentary/film collection is to preserve the memory of 535's beloved history, and her significance.


Credits:

The Film:

James F Will
JFW Archives

Otto Perry
Archives West: Rocky Mountain Railroad Club Collection, 1903-1980. Series I: Otto Perry collection / 16mm motion picture films Reel #83 and #87.
THE FAMOUS RAILROAD MOVIES OF OTTO C. PERRY
Reels are owned by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club

MUSIC

Tchaikovsky - Waltz of the Flowers - Op. 71a - Arranged for Piano by GregorQuendel

Cinematic Epic Classical Violin Soundtrack by Muzik4Life

Cinematic Baroque Violin Melody by nickpanek

Albeniz - 6 Pequenos valses, Op. 25 - 1. Allegretto - Arr. for Strings by GregorQuendel

Tchaikovsky - The Seasons / 08 - August - Harvest (Strings) by GregorQuendel


Special Thanks To:

James F Will, photographer of the longest known film of 535.

The Rocky Mountain Audio visual preservation for the digitization of two 400 ft. film reels.

The American Heritage Center for preserving the film and assisting in the digitization.

The Laramie Railroad Depot for the funding of the digitization.

Thumbnail - Tom Gildersleeve