#4012 at Steamtown might someday be operational. Although it is setting out in the weather right now. I think that a combination of efforts from Steamtown and UP would be the only way that a Big Boy will ever be operational again.
I agree with the comments above.
In a perfect world a Big Boy would indeed be stabled with 3985 and 844.
So would a companion Centennial.
The only way (as mentioned) would be for UP to do it .
Jimmy
Union Pacific has no need or want to restore a Big Boy. The cost associated with running it,the change in infrastructure to turn it,and the fact that you couldn’t put enough cars behind it to justify it’s cost.
Believe me I would love to see one run with a coal train leaving North Platte eastbound,but the only place that will ever happen is in my dreams…
Holy smokes Paddler - seems we run in similar circles. I volunteer with the Natl RR museum and am also a paddler from your area. Looks like you’re a BN fan. What sort of modeling or other RR stuff do you do? What do you paddle (canoe, kayak?)
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- Dblstack.
LOL - die-hard canoe paddler! (In addition to being a passionate railfanner/model railroader as well)
Tried to email you but your profile wasn’t updated. Drop me a line…
Thanks for all the replies! But the UP dosn’t own any bigboys! So which “bigboy owner” would want to do it???
As both a two-decade railroader AND as a life-long Air Force brat, I see the wistful wish for the restoration of a Big Boy to active service to be about on par with aerophiles’ hopes that some day a Convair B-36 Peacemaker might be made flyable. Like the Big Boys, a handful exist in museums, but the complexity factor of running a beast such as either a Big Boy or a B-36 requires such a step up from a Challenger (one restored by a whole corporate dedication) or a B-29 (one flyable and two possibilities for flight) that it probably would consume more resources than any one organization that I suspect that either are “a bridge too far.”
Mark
When I was a kid, B-36’s would be seen flying at different altitudes around my home in Northern Wisconsin. Awsome and loud. I have seen the plane at Wright-Patterson. Agree with your point about cost of rebuild. I just saw on a web-site that the cost new for that plane was less than $4 million. (NOT in today’s dollars!!)
Jay
Oh - both restorations are theoretically possible - with an unlimited amount of resources… Although I’ll bet that spare R-4360-53 engines are going to be scarce as hen’s teeth. Like Timken roller bearings, this is a discontinued line…
During my visit to Steamtown last year, I spoke with one of the rangers about firing up the Big Boy. The estimated cost then was $1,000,000, just to put a fire into the firebox. Insurance, inspections, and repairs prohibit doing anything to them unless several hundred thousand excursion tickets, with price-escalation clauses, can be sold years in advance for an excursion. I doubt if any of us will ever see a 4000-class operate under live steam again – shame. All that money going overseas and none for what once was! [:(]
I have a vague recollection from about 40 years ago of seeing the Big Boy at Green Bay “fired up” but not moving for a special event. This would have been not too many years after they acquired the loco so it was still in near operating condition. Of course, I was too young to appreciate it or remember it clearly and it might not have even been the Big Boy. Back then all the museum equipment was outdoors.
It will happen.
The sheer size is a factor. Imagine how much pounding the rail would take from the drivers! If any of you saw the big boy move to Omaha, they are very large!!
who ever owns the 4002
the most well know and reconizable Big Boy.
Thats the one.[8D]
but there are still problems with other Steam Locomotives
Frisco 1522 is retired
Cotton Belt 819 is in danger of Retirement
819 is partally owned by UP.
If UP is unsure what to do with the 819 why would they even bother with a Big Boy
The truth of the matter, is that all things change. I loved the old steamers as much as anyone. Aside from Don King and a few others I am probably one of the only persons in the forum that saw the last revenue run of the Gainsville Midline. Real Decapods running doubles up the Oconee Heights Grade going towards Jefferson and Gainsville GA in the early 60’s (1962 I think). They were wonderfull for a 10 year old to see and dream about and one of the main reasons to go and see Grandaddy . But folks, railroading is a business and one that cannot think or work that the way it worked for Daddy and Grandaddy. Be gratefull for what we still get to look at and see running some of the handsome beasts of steam. By the way don’t ever forget that those beasts of steam are inherantly dangerous to anyone that doesn’t respect them and has just a little bit of a healthy fear of the power that is in them.[2c]
Nostalgia costs, and functioning nostalgia is an indulgence that only rich philanthropists or irresponsible politicans could foster. To illustrate, Mr. Fosset payed for the build of an old bi-motor bi-plane to fly across the Altantic the other day. This is pure whimsy to feed the ego that paid for it. While many appreciate the feat, how many AIDS vaccines did the cost represent? If I were Fosset, would I want to be remembered for self-indlugence or for helping thousands to escape AIDS in Africa?
Hmmm. WAIT… don’t tell me…!