Steam engine visit

In one of the more creative marketing events we've seen in a while, the Union Pacific "You Route the Steam" contest brought the Living Legend No. 844, a behemoth steam engine, to Cape Girardeau on Sunday. It was brought here thanks to an online voting campaign that pitted four national routes against one other. The Little Rock route, which began in Cheyenne, Wyo., won the vote, and Cape Girardeau was one of many stops.

The stop was a rewarding experience for many. Surprising to some, nearly 2,000 people arrived in Cape Girardeau to take photos of the engine and its huge wheels which were at least 6 feet tall. Hundreds followed the engine on its journey in Southeast Missouri, jockeying for good photo opportunities. It was a fun time. Old No. 844 brought a nostalgic feeling to downtown Cape, and reminded us of our region's own historical ties to the railroad.

"The steam locomotive is very animated. It does something to the soul, I think," engineer Ed Dickens said. "And that whistle, you're not going to hear anything like it."

A special thanks to Union Pacific for bringing the steam engine to Cape Girardeau. The city prides itself on its history, its stories and its family friendly atmosphere. We'd like to think the Living Legend, as it is called, felt right at home in the river city.