Union Pacific studying Big Boy restoration project

[railohio]

POMONA, Calif. – Union Pacific may be bringing back the ultimate steam machine, an Alco-built 4-8-8-4 Big Boy, the last of which steamed more than 50 years ago.

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[BR60103]

Like this:

   

   

This was across the street from the campground we stayed in in Pomona (outside L.A.).

[eightyeightfan1]

That would be cool. Of course, living here on the right coast, I would probably never see it "fired up", except maybe on YouTube. I did see 4012 when Steamtown was in Vermont. But that was a long time(couple of decades) ago.

[MountainMan]

Here's hoping...and then Jay Leno can add it to his collection!

[Sumpter250]

That would be cool. Of course, living here on the right coast, I would probably never see it "fired up", except maybe on YouTube. I did see 4012 when Steamtown was in Vermont. But that was a long time(couple of decades) ago.

It was Bellows Falls, Vt where I saw the 4012. I've also seen the 4006, and the 4018.
I saw Challenger 3985, steaming over former C&NW tracks, several years ago.
As much as I think the Big Boy, is not as impressive as it is made out to be ( I like the challengers, and the H-8 Alleghenies, better ) It was meant to be a "mountain climber", and would still be quite a thing to see, and hear, high-balling through the flat-lands of this part of the country.
I've heard the "restoration story" before, so pardon me if I don't "hold my breath" waiting for this latest "version" of the time weary tale. Is there hope? - - - I'll believe it when I see it steaming by.

[railohio]

I've heard the "restoration story" before, so pardon me if I don't "hold my breath" waiting for this latest "version" of the time weary tale. Is there hope? - - - I'll believe it when I see it steaming by.

It's still possible for them to walk away, but this is the first time Union Pacific has been involved with any of it. That by itself is huge news.

[jwb]

In the past, I was skeptical of these reports -- I think a dozen or so years ago, there were rumors of a Big Boy in Texas being restored, and I pooh-poohed them at the time on the basis that the group proposing it wasn't fully credible, on top of which the railroads at the time were basically full. Existing restored locos weren't getting much running, and still aren't. NS had discontinued its steam program. The UP got a bad taste the last time it ran steam in Southern California due to foamer misconduct, as well. But NS has revived its steam program, and maybe the railroads are more capable of handling a steam extra now and then. We'll have to see!

[Sumpter250]

In the past, I was skeptical of these reports -- I think a dozen or so years ago, there were rumors of a Big Boy in Texas being restored, and I pooh-poohed them at the time

I was in Dallas, at the time of that " report ", The loco there was in pretty sad shape, and looked like UP had " disabled it " to the point where it was really not worth what would have to be spent to restore it to operating condition.
If UP is seriously considering the restoration, there just might be a possibility of seeing a Big Boy running!

It would be a shame to fire it with Oil, I know, it's cleaner and more efficient than Coal, and better for the environment.
But, sit at an intersection at 2:30 AM, with the engine running, because the light is red, with no other traffic in sight, knowing that the cop is waiting for you to "run the red", so he can write you a ticket,- - Duh !! - - and think about all the CO2 that is dumped into the atmosphere, by all the cars nation wide, in the same situation.
Make the lights "Demand Cycle" rather than "Timed Cycle", in Off Peak traffic hours, and the burning of coal for a Big Boy would be inconsequential.

[Brakie]

I've heard the "restoration story" before, so pardon me if I don't "hold my breath" waiting for this latest "version" of the time weary tale. Is there hope? - - - I'll believe it when I see it steaming by.

It's still possible for them to walk away, but this is the first time Union Pacific has been involved with any of it. That by itself is huge news.

I agree..UP could easy shelve the project.