Like many steam engine enthusiast on this and other train forums I'm looking forward to the big day the UP Big Boy finally moves under its own steam. Restoration on any steam engine is both very time consuming and horribly expensive so UP's corporate commitment to returning the Big Boy to operation is a somewhat unusual goal for them to commit to. Yes it will garner UP a lot of good publicity especially in light of their ongoing business of transporting huge quantities of coal to major energy producers in the eastern part of the county. Not a bad business strategy for them to persue but steam engine restoration ain't cheap. That aside, restoring any steam engine is a major commitment regardless of who is in charge so Ed Dirksen and his teams involvement is of little or no concern to me. Previous comments about who's doing what, when, and where the parts are coming from are a minor side show in the grand scheme of things. However I must admit I'm a little bit nervous about them completing the task next year given the degree of complexity involved.
For me the far bigger and more important question is will they get the job done and will it be completed on time - I for one certainly hope so!
