HENDERSON, Colo. (AP) — A woman who was taking photographs over the weekend of a steam locomotive was struck and killed after getting too close to the tracks in north suburban Denver. 
 
 The 15-car Union Pacific train was returning to Denver on Saturday evening from a daylong trip to Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming when the woman was hit at a crossing in Henderson at about 7:45 p.m. 
 
 The victim was among several people taking photos of the train as it traveled back to Denver. Her name has not been released. 
 
 About 700 passengers were on the train whose annual trip to Cheyenne for the parade and rodeo is sponsored by The Denver Post Community Foundation. No other injuries were reported. 
 
 The passengers were bused back to Denver. ||||| DENVER -- Investigators say the pedestrian that was struck and killed by one of Union Pacific's historic steam trains was taking pictures of the locomotive and apparently ventured too close to the tracks. 
 
 The 21-car train, being pulled by Locomotive 844, was returning Saturday evening from a day-long trip to Cheyenne Frontier Days. 
 
 The train, called the 'Denver Post Special,' because the trip was sponsored by the Post, was southbound, and had just arrived at the 124th Avenue crossing near Henderson, at 7:45 pm, when the accident happened. 
 
 UP Steam tweeted about the incident shortly afterward. 
 
 UP No. 844 was involved in a pedestrian fatality. Busses are en route to pick up guests on board the train. UP Police will be on scene for several hours assisting local authorities with the investigation. — UP Steam (@UP_Steam) July 22, 2018 
 
 Company Issues a Response 
 
 "We are working with local authorities to see what happened leading up to the crash," said Union Pacific spokeswoman Kristen South. 
 
 The Adams County Sheriff's Office and Commerce City Police were at the scene shortly after the accident, but the Sheriff's Office said, "Union Pacific is leading the investigation." 
 
 Passengers were bused back to Denver. 
 
 The train remained at the scene for several hours. 
 
 History of Union Pacific's historic steam train 
 
 Steam Engine 844 is perhaps the country's most famous steam locomotive. 
 
 It was originally built for passenger service, operating between Omaha and Los Angeles, and Omaha and Portland. 
 
 When diesels took over, it was relegated to freight service in Nebraska. 
 
 Unlike other steam locomotives, it never made it to the scrap heap, instead it was saved and is now used as an "ambassador of goodwill" by Union Pacific. 
 
 Steam aficionados travel alongside the train, or line the right-of-way to take pictures, or videotape the excursions. 
 
 The victim was among several photographers that were snapping photos of the train on it's return trip. 
 
 To learn more about UP's steam program, click on this link. ||||| A freight train slammed into a parade float carrying wounded veterans on Thursday, killing four people and injuring 17 others as the float tried to get through a West Texas railroad crossing on its way to an honorary banquet, authorities said. 
 
 Bystanders react as emergency personnel work the scene where a trailer carrying wounded veterans in a parade was struck by a train in Midland, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. "Show of Support" president... (Associated Press) 
 
 Midland police, fire and sheriffs respond to an accident where a trailer carrying wounded veterans in a parade was struck by a train in Midland, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. Authorities say four people... (Associated Press) 
 
 Rob Fields holds up the blood type of his wife, Laura, outside the packed United Blood Services in Midland after a parade float carrying wounded veterans and their families was struck by a train Thursday,... (Associated Press) 
 
 A parade participants reacts after a trailer carrying wounded veterans in a parade was struck by a train in Midland, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. Authorities say four people are dead and 17 others... (Associated Press) 
 
 Parade participants react after a trailer carrying wounded veterans in a parade was struck by a train in Midland, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. "Show of Support" president and founder Terry Johnson... (Associated Press) 
 
 Parade participants and public safety officials huddle after a trailer carrying wounded veterans in a parade was struck by a train in Midland, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. Authorities say four people... (Associated Press) 
 
 Volunteers at the United Blood Services line up to give blood after a parade float carrying wounded veterans and their families was struck by a train Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, killing four and injuring... (Associated Press) 
 
 The train was sounding its horn and people were jumping off the decorated flatbed truck before the collision around 4:40 p.m. in Midland, according to witnesses and Union Pacific spokesman Tom Lange. A preliminary investigation indicates the crossing gate and lights were working, Lange said, though he didn't know if the train crew saw the float approaching. 
 
 Two people died at the scene, while two others died at Midland Memorial Hospital, City of Midland spokesman Ryan Stout said. Six people remained hospitalized Thursday night, including at least one in critical condition; the other 11 people injured have been treated and released, hospital officials said. 
 
 About two dozen veterans and their spouses had been sitting in chairs on the float, set up on the back of a flatbed tractor-trailer decorated with American flags and signs identifying each veteran. Many seemed to panic as the locomotive's horn sounded, said Patricia Howle, who was waiting in her car at a nearby traffic light as the train approached. 
 
 "I was on the phone, and I just started screaming," she told The Associated Press late Thursday night. "The truck was on the other side of the train, but I did see the panic on the faces of the people and saw some of them jump off." 
 
 The float was among two flatbed tractor-trailers carrying veterans and their spouses. Police said the first truck safely crossed the railroad tracks, but the second truck's trailer was still on the crossing as the train approached. 
 
 "The train honked its horn, but the 18-wheeler could not go anywhere because of the other one being right in front of it," said Daniel Quinonez, who was in traffic that had been stopped by sheriff's deputies to allow the parade to pass. 
 
 "It was a horrible accident to watch happen right in front of me. I just saw the people on the semi-truck's trailer panic, and many started to jump off the trailer. But it was too late for many of them because the train impacted the trailer so fast," he told the AP. 
 
 Several police vehicles remained at the crash scene late Thursday night. Flood lights illuminated the wreck as investigators in reflective vests and hard hats carefully took measurements of the site, which was cordoned off by yellow police tape. 
 
 The parade had been scheduled to end at a "Hunt for Heroes" banquet honoring the veterans. The wounded service members were then going to be treated to a deer-hunting trip this weekend. The events were canceled. 
 
 The events were organized by Show Of Support, a local veterans group. Its president, Terry Johnson, did not immediately return an email for comment and his phone number was unlisted; the phone rang unanswered at the group's offices. 
 
 Stout, also the police department's spokesman, said he had no information about the individuals who died or the driver of the truck. 
 
 Lange said Union Pacific is offering help to the community and victims' families, as well as peer-to-peer counseling for the train crew, who did not sustain any injuries. 
 
 "There is going to be a very thorough investigation," Lange said. "It's obviously a very tragic incident." 
 
 The National Transportation Safety Board also is investigating, NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said. 
 
 Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta "was deeply saddened by news of the tragic accident involving veterans heroes and their spouses in Midland," Pentagon spokesman George Little said in a statement. "His thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, with those injured in this incident, and with the entire community." 
 
 Midland is about 320 miles west of Dallas. 
 
 ___ 
 
 Terry Wallace reported from Dallas. Associated Press writer James Beltran also contributed to this report from Dallas.
– A woman who was taking photographs over the weekend of a steam locomotive was struck and killed after getting too close to the tracks in north suburban Denver. The Union Pacific locomotive—the AP says it was a 15-car train; the Denver Channel says it had 21 cars—was returning to Denver on Saturday evening from a daylong trip to Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming when the woman was hit at a crossing in Henderson about 7:45pm. The victim was among several people taking photos of the train as it traveled back to Denver; her name hasn't been released. "We are working with local authorities to see what happened leading up to the crash," a Union Pacific spokeswoman says. About 700 passengers were on the train, whose annual trip to Cheyenne for the parade and rodeo is sponsored by the Denver Post Community Foundation. No other injuries were reported. The passengers on the UP 844 train, said to be the nation's most famous steam locomotive, were bused back to Denver.