Former Union Pacific Steam Program manager Steve Lee passed away early Sunday morning, October 25.

A Kentucky native, Lee began his railroading career with the Illinois Central in 1972 and later served as a trainmaster and road foreman for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. As the Rock Island faced bankruptcy, Lee became the division road foreman for UP out of Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1980. He took charge of UP’s Heritage Fleet in 1989, overseeing 4-8-4 “FEF-3” 844 and 4-6-6-4 “Challenger” 3985 along with the railroad’s vintage diesels and passenger cars. He led the program until his retirement in 2010.

During his tenure with the UP steam program, he made many noteworthy excursions, such as trips to Railfair in Sacramento, Calif., in 1991 and 1999 with both 844 and 3985, and a trip with 3985 over former Clinchfield Railroad territory to pull the 50th Santa Claus Special in November 1992 for CSX.

Following his retirement from UP, Lee joined Wasatch Railroad Contractors in Cheyenne, where he contributed to restoration projects around the country, including Louisville & Nashville 0-8-0 2132 in his home state of Kentucky.

— Nick Stewart