A "Big Boy" that's finally going to run!

Jake, I don’t think that the UP will have the heavy trackage to handle a “running” Big Boy (#2014). It 's just too big and weighs too much. I hope I’m wrong! -artguy

PS: I just realized that the number on the cab, #2014 is the date of this year! LOL!

Here’s some links to videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml5lCmLBVxk&feature=player_embedded#t=13

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwt28MYKaI8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrKSmPzsePw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZZQgveAi20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wPCrzYis4g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV0HELqgu0E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmTr22rvldk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wiKxPptCDI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgjvL44uT2o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhAFMuMRyxU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOLhHh8f_5g

MIKE

sorry champ it 4014!!

Artguy

Today’s UP infastructure is built and maintained to higher standards then when the 4014 was in regular service, a BB actually has a light touch on rails due to its enormous wheelbase. As to the BB canabalized for the 3985 restoration, that would be 4004 in Hoilday Park, actually very little was sourced from it, I believe a cold water pump, injector and parts for the stoker, 4004 is in poor shape mechanically and was rejected as this was the one that was immersed in flood waters for an extended period to the top of the running boards.

Dave

UP track has handled the 844 and the 3985 for years. There’s no reason to think it couldn’t handle the 4014. Yes, it is bigger than those two but the weight will also be distributed over more wheels.

UP feels the need to one up NS with the annoucement of the re-running of the 611?

That’s alright with me. If more road names would get on board there’d be a whole lot more steam locomotives running around.

I climbed up into the cab with two of our little boys just a couple years ago - thinking nothing of it. Well, thinking we were simply checking out an extinct dinosoar, appreciating it for that only.

To think one day we’ll see that thing running under its own power, and then showing my sons the pictures of them with it years before parked at the LA county fair - wow, I get excited just thinking about it!!!

Check this out - they’re pulling it with Diesel #4884. As in, 4-8-8-4. How cool is that? - along with the UP 1996 Heritage locomotive - in the Combo Daylight / Bloody Nose SP paint scheme.