Union Pacific Railroad is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its creation with a steam locomotive tour through the area.

Although it sped through Hays Thursday morning,  legendary steam locomotive No. 844 did stop about 10a.m. in Russell and in WaKeeney at noon. Other western Kansas stops were scheduled for Oakley and Sharon Springs.

Union Pacific Railroad was created when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act July 1, 1862.  President Lincoln’s vision was to create a transcontinental railroad.

The steam engine train is making a loop staring in Cheyenne, Wyoming through Nebraska and Iowa and then back to Kansas.