trainroomgary posted:OK then, why would you ask such a question about 4014?
Hi Hot Water: because Rich said the following on page one of this thread. “diesel coupled behind does all the work”.
Is this true? "the diesel coupled behind does all the work."
Gary: Rail-fan
Maybe they will put a diesel behind it. Maybe they won't. 844 went to Memphis in 2016 without a diesel. Came back with one. Most likely chance is that 4014 goes west hauling about 5 cars, which is the typical UP consist as of late. It's a dog and pony show. Chances of UP ever hooking up enough train behind that thing to make it work are somewhere between slim and none. Best chance was Frontier Days, and now that's gone.
A lot of people interested in steam engines like to hear them work, especially the people that crew them. That isn't going to happen here. It will be a great show. It will be fun. It will be cool. It's something a lot of people have never seen, and never thought they would be able to see. It will be nothing like what the engine was designed for and used for in the steam era.....and for some people, hauling 5 cars loafing around, whether there is a diesel or not behind it, is a breaking point, and I totally understand that line of thought.
It's the equivalent of seeing a mainline locomotive like 611 run 10mph at Spencer. Been there, done that. It can be fun, and there are friends to see. It's close to home, so it's cheap.....but it's nothing like seeing the engine on the mainline climbing Blue Ridge or Christiansburg Mountain with 20 cars tied to the tender. That is worth the trip every time, whether to ride or chase. Its a very impressive show. That's what Rich is getting at. The intended use isn't enough to get excited over. Maybe I'm wrong. I hope I am, but I'm not holding my breath either.
