"The world’s largest steam locomotive is crossing America, and America is in love"

Does it always have the big puffs of thick black smoke she speaks of? At the 1 minute mark someone goes across the tracks. Pretty scary!

Crossing America? Seems to be only going as far as Chicago.

Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

In addition to congratulating the author for "getting it" who would like to volunteer a little gentle constructive criticism to help her correct the handful of misconceptions, minor or otherwise, that are in her fine piece?

And if doing so remember two words: GENTLE and PATIENCE.)

A layman author, female to boot, writes an effusive article in a mainstream publication about a steam locomotive, which you claim to praise, but then you invite criticism?? Unbelievable.

I'd be curious about what you consider to be "misconceptions" in the piece.

smd4 posted:

Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

In addition to congratulating the author for "getting it" who would like to volunteer a little gentle constructive criticism to help her correct the handful of misconceptions, minor or otherwise, that are in her fine piece?

And if doing so remember two words: GENTLE and PATIENCE.)

A layman author, female to boot, writes an effusive article in a mainstream publication about a steam locomotive, which you claim to praise, but then you invite criticism?? Unbelievable.

I'd be curious about what you consider to be "misconceptions" in the piece.

Bingo

Yes..l HAD the attitude about it l had about a couple of eastern roads, and their rolling stock (that's all they babble about... don't bother me)....but this achievement, getting one of the largest in the world on the rails recovers some of my childhood experience, down at the station with steamers, when they were just part of the scenery.  Wonder if trackage and bridges would allow this economy size loco east of Chicago?  I hope the UP got its publicity money's worth, plus!, and other roads with no management interest in their own history take notice.  Uh, such as in the New River Gorge.  Picture THAT crossing the Hawks Nest Bridge, if it could safely do so.  They'd need crowd control, for sure, if it got into populated east.

Here's another misconception (in addition to the one Joe Hohmann pointed out):  "America is in love."  Other than my son and the members of our train club (7 at current count), only ONE other person I know has heard of this engine and its rebuilding.  Just ONE.  And that person is indifferent, at best.

Have not had chance to see for myself, yet.  But received email from friend living in Antioch, Ill.  He, and wife, were able to catch it as it was leaving Kenosha, Wisconsin.  They saw, and photographed, the 4014 at same location we caught the 3985 Challenger in 2002 when she was making the rounds.  The Challenger came North from the Chicago area, then was turned on a wye North of Milwaukee, before returning South the next day.  Gave us a chance to make pics and a movie of her a second time.  OK, looking through my stuff to try and locate the CD made of the Challenger in 2002.  Will post, if possible, for all when I find it and am able to.  Not working at Great Lakes Naval anymore, retired in Okla. in 2014, not likely to be going that far North any time soon.  Sigh...….

Jesse   TCA

Well, as I read the article....   Yes, 4014 is crossing America.  Just not ALL the way across from sea to shining sea.  But, still rolling across our America for Americans, and others, to witness.  Yes, crossing America through a good portion of it, and much to the pleasure and love of those who are fortunate to witness the moments.  As pointed out, hope this does a lot to start a revival of interest among the populace, to some extent, and more renewed interests by other railroads to do same.  How great it would be to see the same running of various steam engines, as was witnessed in the later part of the last century!  Who can say what the running of 2014 may lead to?

It is all a very good thing for all America.

Jesse   TCA 

Joe Hohmann posted:

Crossing America? Seems to be only going as far as Chicago.

That's in the headline. It says nothing of the sort in the article. Blame the headline writer, not the author.

palallin posted:

Here's another misconception (in addition to the one Joe Hohmann pointed out):  "America is in love."  Other than my son and the members of our train club (7 at current count), only ONE other person I know has heard of this engine and its rebuilding.  Just ONE.  And that person is indifferent, at best. 

That's in the headline. It says nothing of the sort in the article. Blame the headline writer, not the author.

Joe Hohmann posted:

Crossing America? Seems to be only going as far as Chicago.

I guess we're in a foreign country here in the east.

That's an excellent article for "the masses". It expresses the wonder and excitement of witnessing this astounding machine moving through the landscape. I was privileged to see it moving last Friday and on static display in West Chicago last Saturday, and it ranks highly amongst the better experiences of my 70 years. Kudos to Ed Dickens, the steam team and Union Pacific Corporation. The most important takeaway of the article was the final lines:

" The train’s journey is a reminder of the majesty of American infrastructure, and of the power of old-fashioned spectacle to bring communities together. But perhaps that’s putting it too grandly. In the end, Big Boy is mostly a reminder that huge trains are awesome. "

I couldn't agree more.

Wow...some of you guys really know how to buzz kill something positive...me,I'll take "611" and be happy

IF it gets within striking distance, I will do my best to go see this historic piece of steamdom. 

Andre

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Joe Hohmann posted:

Crossing America? Seems to be only going as far as Chicago.

I guess we're in a foreign country here in the east.

Foreign meaning Union Pacific doesn't serve the east.  That's NS and CSX territory.

kgdjpubs posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Joe Hohmann posted:

Crossing America? Seems to be only going as far as Chicago.

I guess we're in a foreign country here in the east.

Foreign meaning Union Pacific doesn't serve the east.  That's NS and CSX territory.

If UP acquires one of those roads, it could come east of Chicago. I don't know how likely that is to happen, however.

colorado hirailer posted:

Yes..l HAD the attitude about it l had about a couple of eastern roads, and their rolling stock (that's all they babble about... don't bother me)....but this achievement, getting one of the largest in the world on the rails recovers some of my childhood experience, down at the station with steamers, when they were just part of the scenery.  Wonder if trackage and bridges would allow this economy size loco east of Chicago?  I hope the UP got its publicity money's worth, plus!, and other roads with no management interest in their own history take notice.  Uh, such as in the New River Gorge.  Picture THAT crossing the Hawks Nest Bridge, if it could safely do so.  They'd need crowd control, for sure, if it got into populated east.

By and large, yes you could take it many places east of Chicago, with the proper planning as long as you stayed on the mainlines.  There are some routes where you might find an issue, but you'd probably be surprised where it could go if someone really wanted to take it there.  Remember, the east coast railroads had their fair share of very large articulated steam engines.  The C&O Allegheny 2-6-6-6 was just as big as a UP 4000, and had heavier axle loadings, so it was more restrictive.

texastrain posted:

Well, as I read the article....   Yes, 4014 is crossing America.  Just not ALL the way across from sea to shining sea.  But, still rolling across our America for Americans, and others, to witness.  Yes, crossing America through a good portion of it, and much to the pleasure and love of those who are fortunate to witness the moments.  As pointed out, hope this does a lot to start a revival of interest among the populace, to some extent, and more renewed interests by other railroads to do same.  How great it would be to see the same running of various steam engines, as was witnessed in the later part of the last century!  Who can say what the running of 2014 may lead to?

It is all a very good thing for all America.

Jesse   TCA 

Jesse,

You are correct, the UP got it, fixed it, and is running it for everyone to see. Even non railfans are astounded if they have a chance to experience it rolling by at speed. What still amazes me is the lack of crowd awareness with spectators between tracks, walking across tracks, being too close etc. If anyone has not seen it run and they have a chance I say go. You never know when it will end. Do hope more steam is allowed to roam the country. I'd guess a "Southern/SP Swing" before it returns to the north so maybe you can see it!

My one friend in Iowa was talking about it, because he knows I'm a train but. I didn't read what he article he posted said where it was(guessing Chicago). Nice to see non-train folk taking notice of something big coming their way.