Just received an email stating the 4014 is going to return to the rails likely in August!
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I wouldn't hold my breath on such a trip, especially since they now have only 3 men remaining on the steam crew (all other experienced personnel have been gone for some time).
At least they are thinking about!
From the email I got...
Union Pacific Steam Club Update No. 15 - May 10, 2021
We know you missed seeing our steam locomotives last year nearly as much as the UP Steam Team missed operating No. 844 and Big Boy No. 4014. We have great news, the Steam Team is busy planning an excursion for No. 4014, likely kicking off August.
Stay tuned to the Steam Club for more information in the coming weeks as we finalize all of the details.
Jeez the guy passes a long some information and all you got is to be negative. No wonder we're losing folks here. Whether it happens or not as Mark said at least they are thinking about it.
@MartyE posted:From the email I got...
Union Pacific Steam Club Update No. 15 - May 10, 2021
We know you missed seeing our steam locomotives last year nearly as much as the UP Steam Team missed operating No. 844 and Big Boy No. 4014. We have great news, the Steam Team is busy planning an excursion for No. 4014, likely kicking off August.
Stay tuned to the Steam Club for more information in the coming weeks as we finalize all of the details.
Jeez the guy passes a long some information and all you got is to be negative.
No,,,,,,,just being realistic. Until a formal, OFFICIAL, announcement is released by UP Corporate, out of Omaha, only then would it be believable.
No wonder we're losing folks here.
Since when are we "losing folks here"???
Whether it happens or not as Mark said at least they are thinking about it.
When you say, "at least they are thinking about it.", whom do you mean by "they"? The "Steam Club"?
So the Steam Club just makes this stuff up is what you're saying?
Yes maybe realistic but it's better than we got last year so a little hope on the possibility of some running this year is a welcomed sign. Maybe I try to be a "glass half full" kind of person rather than always being a "half empty" one.
I don't think they would make an announcement like that without corporate knowing of their plans. For one thing, they would have to submit a proposal to do this, with a budget proposal, and get that approved by the head office before even putting out what they did. UP like any corporation are also sensitive to anything going out from the company, so you can bet that at this point higher ups approved putting this out, any kind of PR no matter how small is usually vetted.
It may not happen this year, they were smart enough to say they weren't entirely sure it could happen in August (among other things, still hard to predict the future with Covid), but at least it is a little sign of something positive happening.
Bob Krieger, Union Pacific Historical Society officer and former UP Steam Shop member, posted that they were at least talking about a trip to New Orleans at the end of the summer.
This is exciting news! Which diesel will they be pushing it with?
I hope they run it again. I doubt I'll get to see it but I can settle for Youtube videos I suppose. More and more footage is captured every time any of these engines run and that's a good thing given video quality these days! Being a historian in the future will be awesome haha
@Hot Water posted:I wouldn't hold my breath on such a trip, especially since they now have only 3 men remaining on the steam crew (all other experienced personnel have been gone for some time).
Because after all it's impossible to train replacement personnel. And I am sure that UP has no desire to operate gigantic public relations machines that the company has invested in. I am absolutely sure in all of the UP or elsewhere not a single person would want to be part of the operating crew for mainline steam locomotives. Who on Earth would want that job?
Can we ever quit the negativity?
@jhz563 posted:Because after all it's impossible to train replacement personnel. And I am sure that UP has no desire to operate gigantic public relations machines that the company has invested in. I am absolutely sure in all of the UP or elsewhere not a single person would want to be part of the operating crew for mainline steam locomotives. Who on Earth would want that job?
Considering the current manager, you have a VERY valid point!
Can we ever quit the negativity?
Just simple reality.
@jhz563 posted:Who on Earth would want that job?
Me! I volunteer or whatever. I boiled water once but I have built so many fires. I'm ready. (If only it was this simple haha)
Yes, we are afforded a 'like' or 'thumbs-up' button here, on this OGR forum, but could we also please
have a thumbs-down, or dislike button?
Things are starting to happen. For example, the N&W 611 J is headed back to Strasburg for several dates this year, starting May 21 -- I will be there!
David
That would be awesome.. I wouldn’t see it in person but the footage would be great .. Hotwater ..it ceased to be “realism” when you argued every point posted .. the realist is always the pessimist.. enough of that everywhere everyday .. just my honest opinion
@RickO posted:This is exciting news! Which diesel will they be pushing it with?
LMAO, good one Rick.
@superwarp1 posted:LMAO, good one Rick.
It's get funnier every time Rich says it. 
@MartyE posted:It's get funnier every time Rich says it.
Like Hot Water says, sadly it's true. Thats what makes it so funny.
@superwarp1 posted:Like Hot Water says, sadly it's true. Thats what makes it so funny.
If you say so.
@RickO posted:This is exciting news! Which diesel will they be pushing it with?
Start at the :40 mark and that will tell you otherwise about being pushed around with a diesel....
@MartyE posted:If you say so.
I don't, Hot Water and Rich have stated it many times in the past. I leave it to the experts and not so called arm chair experts.
@superwarp1 posted:I don't, Hot Water and Rich have stated it many times in the past. I leave it to the experts and not so called arm chair experts.
I don't think anyone here disputed the experts because they would know better than "the arm chair experts" but the constant negativity on the subject gets really old. I realize there is a lot of bad feelings between the experts and the UP steam program itself but in reality seeing a Big Boy out on the rails is something folks are excited to see especially given the last year's circumstances.
The Steam Club put out an email that was most likely sent to get some excitement out there for all of the rail fans including those on this forum. Whether it happens or not is yet to be seen but it certainly is a good sign of things to come whether later this summer or next.
@superwarp1 posted:LMAO, good one Rick.
On CSX it would be classified as a "shoving platform".
One brief shot in an 18 minute video proves nothing.
There are days and days worth of videos on YouTube that show the thing working with a drifting throttle, including during featured moments where the passengers had shelled out thousands to experience the engine hard at work, such as when it ascended Sherman Hill, Weber and Echo Canyons and Cajon Pass.
After being around steam, diesel and electric operations for over 50 years, I'm quite capable of determining when a locomotive is working vs. mailing it in. There is no faking it with steam. She tells you quite clearly what she is or is not doing.
PS: What is that rhythmic knocking noise that you hear in the video at around the 7 minute mark? Doesn't sound good at all. Maybe some of the duct tape has worked loose.
@MartyE posted:From the email I got...
Union Pacific Steam Club Update No. 15 - May 10, 2021
We know you missed seeing our steam locomotives last year nearly as much as the UP Steam Team missed operating No. 844 and Big Boy No. 4014. We have great news, the Steam Team is busy planning an excursion for No. 4014, likely kicking off August.
Stay tuned to the Steam Club for more information in the coming weeks as we finalize all of the details.
Jeez the guy passes a long some information and all you got is to be negative. No wonder we're losing folks here. Whether it happens or not as Mark said at least they are thinking about it.
Just want to make clear: WE ARE NOT LOSING FOLKS! The forum has between 700 and 900 applications per month compared to around 100 to 150 a half dozen years ago.
OK guys...this is JUST an announcement. Debating other things I don't believe was the intent of the OP.
@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:OK guys...this is JUST an announcement. Debating other things I don't believe was the intent of the OP.
Thank you Alan
I just don't get why the same couple/few people ALWAYS have to chime in with such negativity anytime UP is brought up. I enjoy reading about Steam programs, yet going back a few years, it seems every thread about UP is hijacked to the point of absurdity.
Yes, I am well aware of the great knowledge some here have about real trains, and I have appreciated it. However, it would be nice if we enthusiasts can enjoy a discussion, as the Original Poster intended, without the constant thread derailing (no pun) and veiled ridiculing we get when we express excitement about something.
@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:Just want to make clear: WE ARE NOT LOSING FOLKS! The forum has between 700 and 900 applications per month compared to around 100 to 150 a half dozen years ago.
My apologies. My frustration got the best of me.
Let's move back to the OP. Depending on if it does run I may have to make a trip to see it. I missed the chance the last time and don't want to again.
@MartyE posted:Let's move back to the OP. Depending on if it does run I may have to make a trip to see it. I missed the chance the last time and don't want to again.
I'd certainly love to see it as well. I just wish it was coming closer to the East Coast to make it more practical. 
@MartyE posted:I don't think anyone here disputed the experts because they would know better than "the arm chair experts" but the constant negativity on the subject gets really old. I realize there is a lot of bad feelings between the experts and the UP steam program itself but in reality seeing a Big Boy out on the rails is something folks are excited to see especially given the last year's circumstances.
The Steam Club put out an email that was most likely sent to get some excitement out there for all of the rail fans including those on this forum. Whether it happens or not is yet to be seen but it certainly is a good sign of things to come whether later this summer or next.
Thank you, Marty, you expressed what I feel reading this. I can understand bad blood, I can understand some who have labor of love projects to keep old engines going who resent that big publicity push on 4014, that it may or may not be pulling that train by itself, but I also don't look at this as a zero sum game either. The fact is the 4014 is out there, little kids get to see it (and not so little kids!) and gasp at it, it is something different from the past, and yes, I do see it the way a little kid would, as a living beast of sorts. Ed Dickens might be the worlds biggest horse's pitoot, he might be less than honorable, but 4014 is out there, whether he should take credit or not. Lot of great things were created by jerk, Space X and Tesla have caused a revolution of sorts but Musk is a loony tunes; Beethoven created great music but also was more than a bit of a jerk, and the list goes on (not even gonna talk about Edison, or the people who built the railroads.... I give equal credit the folks trying to recreate the T1 from the ground up, send them a couple of bucks when I can, or those laboring on other prehistoric monsters. An old statement comes to mind, few care about the labor pains, everyone wants to coo at the baby
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I'd certainly love to see it as well. I just wish it was coming closer to the East Coast to make it more practical.
Me too....you think maybe if we sent an envelope to the evil one ie E.D, said pretty please and enclosed a bribe, it might work? *lol* . Sadly, not likely to happen, not unless the heads of several railroads woke up one morning and decided to be little kids again and say "Oh, wow, a steam engine! How cool!"
I hope it runs this summer, and that it makes many stops during the trip. The more people that see it, especially our youth, the better. Maybe spark some interest in our country's history ... these machines were such an important part of it. Maybe even gain some new train modelers? 
As far as Dickens, I've never heard a bad work out of his mouth, including the two times I personally spoke with him when my work took me out that way. He's definitely the right man to be out there interacting with the public.
I just don't want these steam engines to completely fade away into memory. I hope more of them can run, and run to more places, in coming years.
4014 has to use the H. P. Long briidge to get to and out of NO on UP trackage. That would be interesting......
Yeah!! Let's get ready to rumble!! (Michael Buffer)
@Dominic Mazoch posted:4014 has to use the H. P. Long briidge to get to and out of NO on UP trackage. That would be interesting......
Why? There are no sharp curves on the H. P. Long bridge, and in fact is double track with an interlocking tower and crossovers on top. There can be any number of trains on the bridge at once, at least there used to be.
@CNJ Jim posted:I hope it runs this summer, and that it makes many stops during the trip. The more people that see it, especially our youth, the better. Maybe spark some interest in our country's history ... these machines were such an important part of it. Maybe even gain some new train modelers?
As far as Dickens, I've never heard a bad work out of his mouth, including the two times I personally spoke with him when my work took me out that way. He's definitely the right man to be out there interacting with the public.
I just don't want these steam engines to completely fade away into memory. I hope more of them can run, and run to more places, in coming years.
I don't get the "jokes" about diesels pushing 4014. There were certain people who started that rumor, and it turned out to be nonsense. As for Dickens, I don't know what the hangup is that some people seem to have. I've talked to him several times, and have nothing but positive things to say about his demeanor. I've also seen him interact with visitors, and a more cordial person you couldn't ask for. I watched a kid with a mental disability asking him questions, some of them a bit awkwardly, and Dickens was incredibly patient, and took extra time to speak with the young man. UP management isn't stupid. They wouldn't let anyone without appropriate character handle one of their most important public relations programs.
UP has a lot tied up in 4014, and it's shown itself to be an invaluable public relations tool. I'm sure they'll do everything to get it back in action as soon as possible.
@breezinup posted:I don't get the "jokes" about diesels pushing 4014. There were certain people who started that rumor, and it turned out to be nonsense.
Can you prove that?
As for Dickens, I don't know what the hangup is that some people seem to have.
Have you ever worked with, or for him?
,I've talked to him several times, and have nothing but positive things to say about his demeanor. I've also seen him interact with visitors, and a more cordial person you couldn't ask for. I watched a kid with a mental disability asking him questions, some of them a bit awkwardly, and Dickens was incredibly patient, and took extra time to speak with the young man. UP management isn't stupid. They wouldn't let anyone without appropriate character handle one of their most important public relations programs.
UP has a lot tied up in 4014, and it's shown itself to be an invaluable public relations tool. I'm sure they'll do everything to get it back in action as soon as possible.
@breezinup posted:I don't get the "jokes" about diesels pushing 4014. There were certain people who started that rumor, and it turned out to be nonsense. As for Dickens, I don't know what the hangup is that some people seem to have. I've talked to him several times, and have nothing but positive things to say about his demeanor. I've also seen him interact with visitors, and a more cordial person you couldn't ask for. I watched a kid with a mental disability asking him questions, some of them a bit awkwardly, and Dickens was incredibly patient, and took extra time to speak with the young man. UP management isn't stupid. They wouldn't let anyone without appropriate character handle one of their most important public relations programs.
UP has a lot tied up in 4014, and it's shown itself to be an invaluable public relations tool. I'm sure they'll do everything to get it back in action as soon as possible.
Agreed. I too can say he is a very cordial man, has the knowledge, and has a lot of passion for what he does. The same can be said for the rest of the crew. When I met Mr. Dickens for the first time it was early in the morning, freezing cold, and he was out in it answering questions and signing autographs. For a person to do that you gotta have patients and be kind especially when you are put in a huge position. For the crew, I was able to talk to two of them and they were the same. Kind, patient, and cordial.
On the subject of the OP, I am glad to hear 4014 will be coming back from a nice "vacation" and hopefully she will continue to inspire those that see her.
@breezinup posted:I don't get the "jokes" about diesels pushing 4014. There were certain people who started that rumor, and it turned out to be nonsense. As for Dickens, I don't know what the hangup is that some people seem to have. I've talked to him several times, and have nothing but positive things to say about his demeanor. I've also seen him interact with visitors, and a more cordial person you couldn't ask for. I watched a kid with a mental disability asking him questions, some of them a bit awkwardly, and Dickens was incredibly patient, and took extra time to speak with the young man. UP management isn't stupid. They wouldn't let anyone without appropriate character handle one of their most important public relations programs.
UP has a lot tied up in 4014, and it's shown itself to be an invaluable public relations tool. I'm sure they'll do everything to get it back in action as soon as possible.
I think the "Joke" is that people with an axe to grind (and I am not going to say whether it is justified or not, I don't know) relished anything that diminished what they were doing with 4014. What the "joke" translates to is "4014 isn't really running, it is basically a static display on rolling wheels pushed by a diesel, it isn't really running", ie it is the equivalent of a disneyland ride. From what I have seen of the video, as an admitted non expert, certainly looked to me like it was pulling.
I was talking to an acquaintance, who is a member of one of the rail historical societies around here who restore train cars and the like to donate to museums, said that he thought some of it was jealousy by groups that run steam, that the UP got all this publicity for getting the 4014 running, such a big deal was made about it, and they felt slighted because they have been doing this for years with little publicity or whatnot. The other thing seems to be rooted around Ed Dickens, my friend said he didn't really know but had heard it had to do with the previous head of the steam crew being forced out (by Dickens I guess), but he was careful to say he didn't know, but that some of it was personal.
Me, all I see is that they took something moldering in a static display in a park and brought it back to life, whether it was like me and needs a push here and there once in a while I don't know, but it certainly looked and acted like a steam engine, had a great whistle, and I think exuded personality, too I give UP a lot of credit, I work for a company that would look at doing something like that and immediately have to deny people paper clips and note pads to make themselves feel better that they were reigning in 'excess' *shrug*. You can bet there are a lot of paper pushers at UP that need therapy every time they see the Steam program budget, I guarantee that.
@Hot Water posted:Why? There are no sharp curves on the H. P. Long bridge, and in fact is double track with an interlocking tower and crossovers on top. There can be any number of trains on the bridge at once, at least there used to be.
NO = New Orleans. Not the word no. Sorry for the confusion.
