Quote:Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4014
Railroad Plans to Restore One of the Largest Steam Locomotives Ever Built
Omaha, Neb., July 23, 2013 – Union Pacific Railroad today announced it reached an agreement with the Southern California Chapter - Railway & Locomotive Historical Society in Pomona, Calif., to transfer ownership of one of the world's largest steam locomotives, Big Boy No. 4014, back to Union Pacific.
Union Pacific plans to relocate No. 4014 to Cheyenne, Wyo., where Union Pacific's Heritage Fleet Operations team will work to restore it to operating condition. Details regarding those efforts will be made public at a later date.
Union Pacific donated No. 4014 to the historical society December 7, 1961. The locomotive arrived January 8, 1962, at its current display location at the Rail Giants Train Museum in Pomona.
No other railroad has retained its historical equipment or honored its American roots like Union Pacific.
"Our steam locomotive program is a source of great pride to Union Pacific employees past and present," said Ed Dickens, senior manager - Union Pacific Heritage Operations. "We are very excited about the opportunity to bring history to life by restoring No. 4014."
Source: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/heritage_and_steam/2013/0723_4014.shtml">http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/h ... 4014.shtml</a><!-- m -->
I honestly think this is not a great idea. The 3985 (a 4-6-6-4 Challenger) is a passenger locomotive. She has been laid up for a couple years awaiting mechanical work. I would rather see her returned to service. I have a bad feeling that this project with 4014 will cause 3985 to be placed on the back burner, we may not ever see her run again in my lifetime if that happens. The 4014 is a freight engine, always has been. It is HUGE, a 4-8-8-4. There are most certainly many places where the 4014 cannot go due to clearance issues. I doubt the 4014 will ever leave UP rails, unlike when the 3985 came east to the Clinchfield (not that CSX would let that happen again, but you get my point.)
I appreciate the effort the UP steam crew is putting forth, I also appreciate that this may be the most involved and expensive restoration ever embarked upon for a steam locomotive. But please, UP, get 3985 back on the rails first. She is a much better candidate, and was actually built for passenger work.
Incidentally, I am more excited about seeing N&W 611 come back to life than any other. I can hardly wait!
Dave
Well, if we get enough notice of the move, I'll get to shoot it moving dead up Cajon, I guess, the way prior generations got to shoot it going down.
UP already has a Big Boy - the 844 - that tours constantly. I imagine they want to keep the last and greatest of the steamers - the 4-8-8-4 - working. More power to them. Unlike most outfots, they are dedicated to keeping history alive.
Actually the 844 is a FEF-3 4-8-4 not a big boy.
Well, if you search the other railroad related forums, there sure is a lot of foaming and speculation regarding this. I will just sit and wait to see what happens.
Brakie Wrote:Actually the 844 is a FEF-3 4-8-4 not a big boy.
I just found that out, which is decidedly odd because two days previously I watched a documentary prepared by UP on their California tour and they constantly referred to that locomotive as the last working example of a Big Boy. Apparently UP doesn't know thew difference either.
The 844 is indeed a 4-8-4 and the last new steam engine purchased by UP, having been built in 1944, according to the UP's documentary.
However, they won't be setting any records, since the Challenger located in Golden, Colorado comes out periodically to take dignitaries on the traditional run from Denver's Union Station to the Pueblo State Fair. Quite a sight to see.
The Challenger, No. 3985, is located in Cheyenne, and hasn't run for a number of years now.
railohio Wrote:The Challenger, No. 3985, is located in Cheyenne, and hasn't run for a number of years now.
Is the 3985 needing repairs or just "retired"?
Like I said in my previous post, 3985 is laid up waiting maintenance and repairs. I'd rather see her brought back to life. She is not retired, just waiting her turn to get needed attention. And in reality, to the average person the 3985 and 4014 look the same anyway. Plus the 4014 will be quite restricted in where it can go, and I can't imagine there are many places on the system where you can turn one of those things.
Brakie Wrote:Is the 3985 needing repairs or just "retired"?
Depends on who you ask.
Puddlejumper Wrote:Incidentally, I am more excited about seeing N&W 611 come back to life than any other. I can hardly wait!
I have made a donation for restoring; I think one of best and nicest steam engine worldwide!
