As I posted in another thread here recently...
The 4014’s little derailment episode is a complete nothing burger. It happens on good track or bad, typically in sharp curves or switches. It is indeed part of railroading and happens literally every day somewhere.
It has happened to the 765 several times. And it will happen to every steam locomotive someday. It’s just not a big deal.
In a way, a tender is a hybird tank car, whether the fuel is wood, oil, or coal.
For me the drive out to see the Big Boy was simply wonderful. I hand picked Rawlins and my pics show why. I wanted to be on the south side of the tracks for the light and the wind. Plus the yard curves south heading east toward Sinclair. I got to climb independence rock on the way, run along the north platte in Casper and see the Sweetwater river. A big jackrabbit startled me where I was standing. Nice visits with locals out to see the show. They were happy and awed. Glad I lived long enough to see it in action.
The UP Steam Team thanks everybody for an amazing couple of weeks!
From #UP844 to #UP4014: Ted Schulte, Kirt Clark, Bruce Kirk, Garland Baker, Troy Plagge, Jimmy Thompson, Don Crerar, Austin Barker, Ed Dickens
Source: Union Pacific Steam Club
Gary: Rail-fan
Thanks to everyone that has contributed to this thread. Based on what I have witnessed I would say Ed and his crew did a pretty good job and had a successful trip! Looking forward to many more years!
Last call at Sherman, Wyo and Cheyenne, Wyo.
Erik C Lindgren posted:Last call at Sherman, Wyo and Cheyenne, Wyo.
Just breath taking.
Rich Melvin posted:As I posted in another thread here recently...
The 4014’s little derailment episode is a complete nothing burger. It happens on good track or bad, typically in sharp curves or switches. It is indeed part of railroading and happens literally every day somewhere.
It has happened to the 765 several times. And it will happen to every steam locomotive someday. It’s just not a big deal.
Really interesting video, thanks Rich!
Looks like the steam team crew were in a hurry to get home.
Couldn’t embed this video for some reason.
Kent's Video
Thanks for the nice comments fellas
Chatter just seemed to stop.
Any word or report on performance of the 4014 during during and after the event? I'm speaking to mechanical operation.
There's always going to be some discovery of gremlins or concerns. Also, successes as well.
What worked well? What was learned to make tweaks or improvements?
WITZ 41 posted:Chatter just seemed to stop.
Any word or report on performance of the 4014 during during and after the event? I'm speaking to mechanical operation.
There's always going to be some discovery of gremlins or concerns. Also, successes as well.
What worked well? What was learned to make tweaks or improvements?
I think now that the Big Boy's grand debut has come to an end, everyone's just about done talking about it. Even activity on the UP Steam Club has slowed down.
As far as mechanics go, the Ogden journey was still very much a break-in run for the locomotive. For more into how the engine performed and how they fired it, take a look at this interview with Ed Dickens (in two parts).
Also, a minor piston rod packing leak up front, of no consequence.
Supposed to start traveling the system next month. Omaha, Boone, Twin Cities, Duluth, Milwaukee, Chicago and eventually end up on the West Coast.
Casey Jones2 posted:Supposed to start traveling the system next month. Omaha, Boone, Twin Cities, Duluth, Milwaukee, Chicago and eventually end up on the West Coast.
Where did you hear about Chicago?
TrainMan1225 posted:WITZ 41 posted:Chatter just seemed to stop.
Any word or report on performance of the 4014 during during and after the event? I'm speaking to mechanical operation.
There's always going to be some discovery of gremlins or concerns. Also, successes as well.
What worked well? What was learned to make tweaks or improvements?
I think now that the Big Boy's grand debut has come to an end, everyone's just about done talking about it. Even activity on the UP Steam Club has slowed down.
As far as mechanics go, the Ogden journey was still very much a break-in run for the locomotive. For more into how the engine performed and how they fired it, take a look at this interview with Ed Dickens (in two parts).
Wait. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Dickens said one of the reasons they use the diesel-electric is to save the brakes on the locomotive?? I thought the locomotive brakes were seldom used because the heat generated could cause the tire to come off the wheel on steam locomotives?
Wait. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Dickens said one of the reasons they use the diesel-electric is to save the brakes on the locomotive?? I thought the locomotive brakes were seldom used because the heat generated could cause the tire to come off the wheel on steam locomotives?
I'm pretty sure he meant the brakes on the cars. The dynamic brakes lessen use of those.
Standard Gauge posted:TrainMan1225 posted:WITZ 41 posted:Chatter just seemed to stop.
Any word or report on performance of the 4014 during during and after the event? I'm speaking to mechanical operation.
There's always going to be some discovery of gremlins or concerns. Also, successes as well.
What worked well? What was learned to make tweaks or improvements?
I think now that the Big Boy's grand debut has come to an end, everyone's just about done talking about it. Even activity on the UP Steam Club has slowed down.
As far as mechanics go, the Ogden journey was still very much a break-in run for the locomotive. For more into how the engine performed and how they fired it, take a look at this interview with Ed Dickens (in two parts).
Wait. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Dickens said one of the reasons they use the diesel-electric is to save the brakes on the locomotive?? I thought the locomotive brakes were seldom used because the heat generated could cause the tire to come off the wheel on steam locomotives?
While what Jethat said above could be the case, I have heard this before...I believe when I first went to the Midwest Railway Preservation Society for a tour last September. They had a bunch of tires from locomotive no. 4070 lying around.
jethat posted:Wait. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Dickens said one of the reasons they use the diesel-electric is to save the brakes on the locomotive?? I thought the locomotive brakes were seldom used because the heat generated could cause the tire to come off the wheel on steam locomotives?
I'm pretty sure he meant the brakes on the cars. The dynamic brakes lessen use of those.
Yes, correct, Dickens should have said the passenger car brakes. However, he said engine and tender brakes, and pointed or said something about how big the locomotive brakes were. I just don't like the wrong information being given, so I felt the need to point it out.
WAY TO GO U.P......KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK...
I just want to say that that this is the best thing that has ever happened in my life time. I was given the chance to see 4018 in Frisco, Texas but I turned it down so that I could see 4014. Am I glad that I said no to 4018 and waited for 4014. When I saw her I cried because she was the best thing I saw ever. Union Pacific roll on!
TRAINMASTER04, please take two tablespoons of castor oil and call me in the morning...your foam is beginning to show.
smd4 posted:TRAINMASTER04, please take two tablespoons of castor oil and call me in the morning...your foam is beginning to show.
And a voice from the cool side of the tracks is singing:
"Put a lime in the coconut and drink 'em both together
Put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better
Put the lime in the coconut, drink 'em both down
Put the lime in the coconut, and call me in the morning"
I am not making this up...the Big Boy is headed back out onto the U.P. System starting July 8th for a "Great Race Across the Midwest". Here are the planned dates:
More information and the route of the locomotive can be found here.
Ok, for it to go from Altoona to West Chicago, would it end up taking the UP west line through Elmhurst? Not sure of another north/south route after Elmhurst.
Tony
It's going to pass right behind my home on the Cambridge subdivision as it goes from St Paul to Duluth. i just got PTO for that weekend and am taking a hotel room in Duluth.
As much as I would like to attend, I'm going to have to pass. Planning a trip from my stomping grounds in Northeast Ohio all the way to the Windy City in such a short amount of time would be a really big effort. Plus, I have a trip for the weekend before already planned at the Strasburg Railroad. Had I known this was coming, I'd save Strasburg for October and make a trip to Chicago to see this iron giant instead.
Holy crap! Its going to be staying overnight here in Butler!
Can't wait to see this beauty come rolling in!
Will go down to Columbus and tag along into Omaha.
Byrdie posted:It's going to pass right behind my home on the Cambridge subdivision as it goes from St Paul to Duluth. i just got PTO for that weekend and am taking a hotel room in Duluth.
I'm thinking of staying the night at the casino in Hinckley on Thursday, then going to Duluth on Friday....
I never knew there was an Altoona in Wisconsin!
Kent In NJ
Actually Altoona is right next to Eau Claire, which is Menards hometown. Only 40 minutes for me.
Color me surprised as well, there are several
Kent Loudon posted:I never knew there was an Altoona in Wisconsin!
Kent In NJ
It's a checkpoint on the UP system, apparently, and they have a yard there, which has also undergone a major expansion in the past 3-4 years. The 4014's planned arrival has gotten a lot of press in the area.
A little more 4014 press for the general public … POPULAR MECHANICS
The line through Altoona is the old C&NW line.
TrainMan1225 posted:I am not making this up...the Big Boy is headed back out onto the U.P. System starting July 8th for a "Great Race Across the Midwest". Here are the planned dates:
- July 13-14: Omaha, Neb. (paid admission required through Railroad Days)
- July 18: St. Paul, Minn.
- July 20: Duluth, Minn.
- July 23: Altoona, Wis.
- July 27-29: Chicago, Ill.
- Aug. 1: Des Moines, Iowa
- Aug. 3: Omaha, Neb.
- Aug. 6: North Platte, Neb.
More information and the route of the locomotive can be found here.
I get three easy shots at this tour. A short drive into St Paul, a planned trip up to Duluth (hotel booked), and within two miles of the house on its way to Altoona. May even drive the 60 miles to see it there too. I'll pick a couple spots along the way for some run by videos, but I have no intention of doing a full on chase. That is off my bucket list. I did that years ago, a few times, with 261.
For those of us on or near the left coast, apparently the 4014 will revisit Southern CA. Some sort of rail excursion is planned for October 2019 as a fund-raiser for the RailGiants Train Museum, site of 4014's 52 year storage. Details are TBD - http://www.railgiants.org/Big-Boy-Excursion-Info.php. It will be interesting to see if the SF Bay Area will be part of 4014's west coast trip.
I think BB has to do something with the Giants in LA per contract.
A "Race" presumes there are, in this case, TWO trains?
Meanwhile, down in Houston many freight trains. Not stram, but lots of action!
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