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Well hello there Big Boy! (now with pics, big bandwidth sucking pics!)

IronWing

IronWing

No Lifer
Union Pacific Big Boy making the rounds.

Big Boy No. 4014’s Schedule | Union Pacific

Union Pacific connects 23 western U.S. states, providing safe and efficient railroad transportation, freight shipping and logistics.
www.up.com www.up.com

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That's really cool. We saw the Big Boy in Cheyenne Wyoming several years ago and it is massive. Certainly a testament to the engineering concepts and innovation that were available at the time of its construction.
 
I've been fascinated with the saga of 4014's restoration, and went to see Big Boy in Ogden for the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad. I was not a steam fan growing up, since all my up-close experience was with diesels, but my grandpa had a poster of one of the Big Boys in the hallway, and he was a big fan. As I get older I am really appreciating these majestic machines more and more. It seems to me that the steam engine is easy to anthropomorphize, with all the exposed machinery moving in ways that are at once complex but organic, while the mournful wail of the steam whistle can sound very animal-like at times. I love that Union Pacific is keeping this history alive, it recalls a time where we had a more emotional connection with our machines. Not that we could or should ever go back, but just to go see and get the feel of it is an inspiration.
 
IronWing said:
Oil, actually. The boiler was converted for safety reasons. Coal tends to start forest fires.
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Really?

Do tell, how does what you burn in an engine translate to burning forests? (Genuinely curious - not doubting you in the slightest)

And as far as oil is it just 100% simple dirty crude?
 
The hot ashes coming out of the stack can travel for miles and then land in the forest while still hot and then ignite a fire.
Due to mismanagement of our forests over the past 100 or so years it could potentially start a fire that would engulf hundreds of acres and in turn devastate many small towns and citys populated by people who thought it was a good idea to build their homes in the mismanaged forest.
 
If I'm being honest, I like 844 a little more, a very fast machine with those big drivers. One of the only North American steam engines that has never been retired, 844's last revenue job was pulling fast freight in Nebraska, even though it was designed to pull passenger trains and is theoretically capable of 120 mph!
 
Nice to see it'll be rolling into town, for 15 minutes. But it'd be nicer to see it parked at a museum where you could pose on it, or in it. Like the transportation museum in St. Louis (great place for photography).
I don't think you can climb on or into Big Boy even when on display.

On Display – In addition to day-long display hours, display days include access to the Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car. Special-edition Big Boy and Golden Spike souvenirs also are available for sale from the merchandise tent. Admission to display days are free. These are the best times to see the Big Boy.
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We followed the train’s progress via Twitter and tried to meet it at a crossing. We were waiting at a light to cross the freeway to get to the tracks that are just on the other side when we heard the whistle blow. While we sat at the light, the train went by, out of sight. Fix my lighthouse. 🙁

We’ll have another chance in a few days. 😛
 
crashtech said:
If I'm being honest, I like 844 a little more, a very fast machine with those big drivers. One of the only North American steam engines that has never been retired, 844's last revenue job was pulling fast freight in Nebraska, even though it was designed to pull passenger trains and is theoretically capable of 120 mph!
Click to expand...
I have been an avid train buff for many years! I can tell you that the top recorded speed for the 844 was between 80 -- 85 mph!!
 
BTW, the fuzzy white thing in the upper left of the first pic is this:

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Close enough to a flying car for me. 😛
 
dang, there are a lot of people there who like trains

i've never cared about them enough to go see one in person but they are quite powerful, there is no mistaking that
 
Nice, a heaping helping of old-school horsepower!, glad they were able to get her back up to operational status!.
 
s0me0nesmind1 said:
Really?

Do tell, how does what you burn in an engine translate to burning forests? (Genuinely curious - not doubting you in the slightest)

And as far as oil is it just 100% simple dirty crude?
Click to expand...

coal burning locomotives throw lots of embers. the big ass forest fire in southern colorado 2 years ago was most likely started by the durango/silverton train.
 
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