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.
