Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4014 - Printable Version +- (https://bigbluetrains.com) +-- Forum: The Depot (https://bigbluetrains.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3) +--- Forum: Upper Berth (https://bigbluetrains.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=7) +--- Thread: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4014 (/showthread.php?tid=6209) |
Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4014 - railohio - 07-23-2013 Quote:Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive 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 --> Re: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4 - Puddlejumper - 07-23-2013 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 Re: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4 - jwb - 07-23-2013 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. Re: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4 - MountainMan - 07-23-2013 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. Re: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4 - Brakie - 07-23-2013 Actually the 844 is a FEF-3 4-8-4 not a big boy. Re: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4 - nachoman - 07-24-2013 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. Re: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4 - MountainMan - 07-24-2013 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. Re: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4 - railohio - 07-24-2013 The Challenger, No. 3985, is located in Cheyenne, and hasn't run for a number of years now. Re: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4 - Brakie - 07-24-2013 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"? Re: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4 - Puddlejumper - 07-24-2013 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. Re: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4 - railohio - 07-24-2013 Brakie Wrote:Is the 3985 needing repairs or just "retired"? Depends on who you ask. Re: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4 - Sumpter250 - 07-24-2013 :o Big Boy indeed, I, Personally, would rather see an Allegheny restored and running, than a Big Boy !! Must be 'cause I've got more Atlantic Ocean salt in my blood, than I have Pacific Ocean salt. Re: Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4 - modelsof1900 - 07-26-2013 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! |