Railworks America

Here's the article
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/h ... 4014.shtml

Awesome!

Could never really understand the logic behind this. 3985 only gets a couple of runs a year (unless off on one of the system "grand adventures" ) With the time, effort and money required for this and the extremely limited route availability, it just seems an odd project. Will look even stranger a locomotive with that pedigree, size and ability having to have a diseasel tucked inside for security not to mention the "greenhouse" issue of the coal burning in several years time when it is finished (2019 for the sesquicentennial most likely) . Oil burning has been tried back in service. 3985 does ok, but the 4000's are a different animal altogether - it will be interesting to see how they tackle it.

My

When the CA chapter announced their intentions to restore the locomotive, I figured it was only a matter of time before it was dropped or that UP picked up the pieces.

Just remember. 4014 only needs to pull it's own weight along with a string of coaches for the most part. Not 100 fully loaded freight cars up Sherman Hill. Also. It may move under it's own power someday but I don't see it going very far or traveling too often.
If I was there in Cheyenne to see it go down the track a couple miles and back, it would be enough to make me P my pants.

ozinoz wrote:Could never really understand the logic behind this. 3985 only gets a couple of runs a year (unless off on one of the system "grand adventures" ) With the time, effort and money required for this and the extremely limited route availability, it just seems an odd project. Will look even stranger a locomotive with that pedigree, size and ability having to have a diseasel tucked inside for security not to mention the "greenhouse" issue of the coal burning in several years time when it is finished (2019 for the sesquicentennial most likely) . Oil burning has been tried back in service. 3985 does ok, but the 4000's are a different animal altogether - it will be interesting to see how they tackle it.

My

3985 only gets to go out rarely due to the fact something major breaks every time she is out (i.e. stays). One might be surprised to learn that the routes available to run are quite extensive. Back in the day when they ran they were cleared to run from Cheyenne to Pocatello ID, Cheyenne to Los Angles via LA&SL. All of this territory was before the advent of CWR, 130 lbs+ mainline throughout, and 15' track centers. 4014 can handle 20 degree curves, 844 can only handle 18.5 degree curves. Any wye you can turn 844 on you can turn 4014. She will be converted to Oil firing. A lot of people cite the 1946 conversion to oil due to a coal strike as a failure. The chief reason this was never really implemented was because converting all of the big boys would require seven additional oil tanks from Cheyenne to Ogden. The single Thompson burner did cause hotspots on the crown, however, that can be alleviated.

She's been out here in Pomona since 1962 and I have yet to see her. Pomona is only about an hour away. That museum is only open the second weekend of each month (unless the Fair is going on) so August 10&11th is soonest I can see her.

I wonder how they plan to move that beast? 600 tons. Wow!

UP Big Boy? AWESOME!

This is great news.

YaaaaaHooooo!
Now if we could get someone to pick up the tab for the Cab Forward in Sacramento.... Which I'm going to go see in Sept. YaaaaHoooooo again!

The oil burning problem was originally because of two reasons.
1. U.P. was dieselizing and didn't put the effort into the project.
2. The Big Boy in question, got a single burner installed, instead of a dual burner like 3985 and her sisters.

An H-8 would be nice too, but those things had a massive axle loading.

arizonachris wrote:She's been out here in Pomona since 1962 and I have yet to see her. Pomona is only about an hour away. That museum is only open the second weekend of each month (unless the Fair is going on) so August 10&11th is soonest I can see her.

I wonder how they plan to move that beast? 600 tons. Wow!

They'll move her by truck. They move loads a lot bigger than that Big Boy all the time.

Ericmopar wrote:They'll move her by truck. They move loads a lot bigger than that Big Boy all the time.

Ambulance services in the US have developped an expertise in that area.

I'll say by truck then by rail.

Chacal wrote:Ambulance services in the US have developed an expertise in that area.

Trust me, you have no idea.

I'm glad to see her restored; I wish other railroads would take so much pride in their heritage as UP does.