The UP didn't do the 4014 project to create a revenue stream, nor was the decision to do it based on versatility, we are talking steam engines used for purely PR purposes. They aren't going to put them into freight service or use them for revenue carrying anything. The 4014 project happened because for better or worse the Big Boy engines have a mystique around them, people hear it was the largest steam engine ever made and their is an immediate "wow" factor (and yeah, I have heard the arguments that its tractive effort was nowhere near what was claimed, that other engines delivered more where it counted, etc and I won't argue it/can't; but it doesn't matter, in popular perception it is 'the biggest of all time').
As far as what the UP spent on the restoration or whether it is bleeding "tons of money", does anyone have an inside source? The UP knew when they took on this project it wouldn't make money, and if internet rumors are claiming the whole program will be shut down because it is losing money, take it from me, the people who spread that rumor don't understand what the program is about, goodwill/PR efforts are not measured like that. I suspect whatever they spent on the 4014 project or the entire steam program is hidden somewhere in their public reports under capital spending or reported under "goodwill" value , I doubt anyone would be able to tie specific spending to the steam program unless they work internally, it will be hidden in public filings like the 10k). If UP shuts down the steam program, it won't be because of the 4014 costing too much, likely it would be shut down whether 3985 was running or 4014, if they cancel the project it will be because they feel they get too little back in terms of goodwill and publicity to spend that kind of money, or a hedge fund/activist investor decides that such "foolishness" (cleaned up for this forum) isn't good for shareholder management, or the company really is in bad enough shape that they need to cut ever nickle and dime they can. Whatever you think of Ed Dickens, he wasn't responsible for 3985 getting put in mothballs or 4014 being rebuilt, he very well probably supported it, but I can bet you the higher level suits were all gung ho for it ,too, otherwise it wouldn't happen, he didn't wake up one day and say "let's go get us a big boy and restore it".
Now talking as myself, I am kind of happy that something like 4014 can happen (and though I haven't seen it live, from what I have seen it sure looked like it was running on its own), that in this day and age of hedge funds and private equity funds and activist investors and shareholders over all, that there is still room for a little magic in the world, something seemingly 'useless', something goofy,"not practical". Funny thing about goofball projects like the 4014, you never know what they will inspire going down the road, the thrill of steam engines (to me) is the old in me leaps the wonder of the boy, and historically I can tell you a lot of great ideas came about because someone wasn't afraid to harness that kind of wonder and joy, and yes, they were often told by their 'elders' or 'superiors' that they were wasting their time doing what they were *shrug*. All I can do is hope that going down the road UP continues their steam program, and that maybe with the 3985 they will either find a way to utilize it, or donate it to a group that could bring it back to the living.
