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Union Pacific studying Big Boy restoration project
Very cool. I hope this happens.
I hope this aint some PR BS. I would love to see one run again.
This would be nice, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
Have to say if they did restore one to running condition it would be pretty cool.
It wouldn’t take an expert to see the one in St Louis is too far gone.
Going into this article, I thought “BS. It’ll never happen.” I remember what Steve Lee said about it a while back. But, I could just see it happening in connection with the anniversary.
best x-mas present ever, hope it becomes a reality
Before excitement reaches excruciating levels, may I refer us to a UPRR Hist. Soc. reprint of a complete group of system employee’s timetables and special instructions from the late '40s.
Check out at how maney places the 4000’s were prohibited or restricted—weight, height, curve restrictions…and where Challengers were in the same place permitted.
It may be that the 6900’s, DD40X’s, fit on much of the system and that individual axle loadings of today’s engines match the 4000’s, and commonly they can turn thru 20 degree curves but, I wonder where the Big Boys can operate, be turned…
Eg. the UP SD40-2, which was the survivor of the four that we’d left Tracy on, when being backed in to the San Jose Round House for testing after a collision with a double trailer gravel-hauling truck gashed the fuel tanks of the three trailing UP units, and made casualties of the engr I was piloting and a brakeman whose bravado was insufficient—not physically injured but scared for excellent and sufficient reasons…both…
Backing into the SJ RH, the unit’s horn, atop the roof and radiator cooling fans struck the stall’s entrance, broke off, dropped to the ground , close to the hostler-helper who was guiding the hostler.
They’re magnificent, preserve them, virtually show all their accomplishments but put massive monies into less grandiose stuff that gets more of us into the picture, just too big,…
I am not a UP expert by any means, but aren’t Big Boy’s restricted to the area around Sherman Hill? Any excursions would be limited to that area, is that right?
Has April First arrived early? What will a Big Boy handle that a Challenger can’t? Sure would be interesting to see 4014 on Sherman Hill. Would probably double Wyoming’s tourist business.
Has April First arrived early? What will a Big Boy handle that a Challenger can’t? Sure would be interesting to see 4014 on Sherman Hill. Would probably double Wyoming’s tourist business.
According to a book my son has on the big boy, there is also one in Brazil.
Let’s hope they do.
WOW! Just think of a Big Boy on the rails in action! This would be the steam project to top all others! Let’s all keep our fingers crossed that this comes to be. Awesome UP!
This is the thing we (U.P.) railfans dream about!! I hope it can come true. Where can we donate to the cause!! Long Live STEAM.
I thought the Challenger was about the biggest they can go on their modern network. I suppose that could be another instance of someone’s assumption becoming someone else’s baseless fact.
“If” and “potential” leaves a lot of room before operation. That said, I have given my boss notice today … 6 years notice.
Regards,
(Burlington) John Lewis
An event that I’ll have to see under steam on the main before I can accept that it really will happen. But stranger things have happened.
That would be awesome to see that machine rolling down the tracks!