Ed Dickens gave his annual presentation on the current status of the UP Steam program last Saturday at the March 2017 Rocky Mountain Train Show. I did manage to jot down a few quick notes while two of our Rocky Mountain Division TCA members video recorded. Eventually the Rocky Mountain division TCA will upload the video to their YouTube page.
Ed started by talking about the steam shop showing how they had to hire an outside crew to lift the front of 4014 to move the front engine out from under it. He said they were close to getting approval for a new bridge crane installed in the shop to make such operations easier. Talked about how the idea for rebuilding 4014 came from his supervision in Omaha in 2012. His supervisor asked could we do it.
4014 was chosen since it was in the best shape. The goal is to have it ready for the 150th anniversary of the golden spike in Utah in 2019. No details have been worked out yet but google shows May 10th 1869 was the original date so make your travel plans. They also owe the museum in California a trip similar to frontier days, again no details have been planned yet. Ed plans to test 4014's curvature and overhang limits in the Cheyenne yard. He plans to put in some curved track in the yards. No actual dates but trial runs on the Greeley subdivision are likely.
Other notes. Ed's wife Nancy was in attendance as was part of his crew. He commented that 844 runs as good as it looks.
4014's firebox needs less work than 844. 4014 is in very good shape. They will do a ground up rebuild replacing, bolts, threaded rods, stay bolts and caps, re-boring pistons etc.
With the shop ceiling out they can run engines in the shop.
Taking the Diesel along is a tool that saves brake shoes.
The most notable point made is that the 4014 rebuild is on schedule for the 2019 event.
Saw Steam shop employees wandering around the Rocky Mountain Train Show both Saturday and Sunday. I also saw them at the Estes Park Colorado train show a few weeks before. Apparently some are model railroad fans. Go figure!
I also heard from a reliable source that the 4014 drivers will be sent to Strasburg for turning and whatever other work is required.
That was what I wrote down. The videos will add more for you guys to "discuss".
have fun!
ps
Anyone know if the track to Promontory Utah National Monument is still in existence? If so will it handle an 844 and 4014? I know that part on the line was bypassed with the cutoff that crosses Great Salt Lake.
