Went to the UP Historical Society convention the last week in July, a week after the aforementioned trip to Cheyenne. No I was not on that excursion. Went to the Forney museum of transportation. My first look into the firebox of a big boy, you can look in from the back of the cab. I just could not get over the bigness of that firebox. I stepped off on the outside something close to 17 feet in length. I believe there is a rotary wheel to distribute coal off of the stoker pedestal to feed the thing. Next day we got to see the 844 in her berth at the steam shop in Cheyenne, the boiler was warm to the touch, but we were told that some heat is always maintained in the boiler to keep things from too much contraction and then expansion. We ate lunch at the park in Cheyenne where 4014 rests. Someone said that the park has flooded in years past to the point of the 4014 standing in water. Next the Colorado Model Railroad layout which was in Greeley I believe. It would take a real photographer to even come close to showing how massive and impressive this is. Do not pass the Denver area without stopping there. Then we were treated to several very good lectures to keep the historical side in perspective. Mr. Davis, ex president of UP spoke at length Sat. night. He just took us through his career. The many moves he made with his family demonstrated the life of a railroader, sort of nomadic. He and his wife had 4 boys, and they moved right along with, but they had each other. His wife was with him and very gracious. Mr. Davis started off at the bottom of the food chart so to speak, although he never mentioned pounding spikes, so maybe not quite at the bottom. Next year in Olympia Wa. its a joint meeting with the Milwaukee RR Historical society. I spent Friday riding the RTD down to Union Station, hiking over to the older light rail, and touring the city on that. I happened to pick up a West World magazine left on the seat. The publication is full of stuff about local activities. I usually start from the back of a magazine. It took about 10 pages before I got through the ads for Pot sales. Times sure do change as we age don't they.
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