NotInWI posted:Possibly tens of thousands of children seeing with their own eyes what their grandparents, or great grandparents used to see with their own eyes! The potential memories from that experience that will last with them for a life time. Think about how many members on this forum can talk of being young and seeing steam with their fathers all across the country back in the day. The experience IS the message. Hopefully some of them will let that memory grow into a passion, a passion that suports railfaning, model railroad, and an appreciation for the history of this country and what the railroads did to advance the prosperity of the nation. Some of whom who might not have had that appreciation develop without seeing the 4014 (or 844, 3985 or insert numbers here) with their own eyes.
BS politics of the UP drama aside, good on the Union Pacific. It can’t be lost in them that there might not be any upside in the end for the stockholders, yet here they are with the 4014.
Good on the UP
Ben
Very well put, Ben. In an age where we’re starting to see large mainline steam locomotives on tourist railroads, regionals, and short lines (765 on the CVSR, 261 on the Twin Cities & Western, 1225 on the GLC, 611 on the Strasburg, 2926 and 3751 maybe on the Grand Canyon), UP is still running their steam program, still allowing steam to rocket down the mainline. Plus, now they have a BIG BOY, soon the largest and most powerful steam locomotive to operate since the steam era. Good on the UP indeed.
