I think a couple of years ago,{word around the campfire was},some movie company or TV ad company . Were planning a rebuild program and restoration of a big boy locomotive. Was this camp fire chit chat true ? Gentlemen,that would be a sight to see. While as a mere lad,I had the experience of riding behind the N&W 1218 and 611 in the eighties. Sure would like to see a big boy awaken from its slumber and poli***he rails. I thought the N&W 1218 was huge,not compared to a big boy at steam town shezzz. Can someone enlighten me to the fact or to the myth of big boy running again ?
Patrick
Beaufort,SC
Dragon River Steel Corp {DRSC}
Making HO scale steel by the ton
Not sure if it’s the same one, but I recall a media event 5-6 years ago, where a Big-Boy was moved from it’s museum spot in Dallas’ Fair Park to be cleaned up for a movie or ad role - don’t recall any follow-up on whether the restoration was completed, or if the movie was ever made…
The engine that had been proposed in 1998 for restoration and use in a feature film was UP 4018. The restoration never happened and the engine remains in static display with no plans for operation.
It may have been legit, but I can’t even begin to imagine the work that would be required to resurrect a steam engine that had been sitting idle for nearly fifty years. Restoring 3985 was a big job by all accounts, and it was restored with the cooperation of its original owner, with at least some personnel who had been involved in the servicing and maintenance of Challengers in regular service. Furthermore, 3985 had only been sitting outside for six years, having spent the previous 13 years stored in the Cheyenne roundhouse. The expertise required is in even shorter supply now than it was in the seventies, and any restoration candidate has spent an extra 25 years deteriorating.
Assuming that a suitable candidate could be found, you’d probably have to start by stripping all the plumbing and any boiler tube remnants, then give the boiler a pressure test. Assuming that the boiler vessel is sound, you’d start retubing and replumbing. It’d probably be easier to build a 4000 new than convert one of the hulks to a functioning locomotive again. Even then, the question remains: where exactly would you run the infernal thing?
If I am not mistaken, one of the things done by UP to prepare a steamer for display was to cut the piston rods, specifically so it could not be reused {?} . There was a set specific steps to render the display engines inoperable,
Before we take this tangent AGAIN with people saying it coudl be done if enough people cared or donated or (fill in the blank). It ain’t gonna happen. The vast majority of people commented the first time around about many factors including the fact it hadn’t been moved and the bearings are shot, there isn’t any money to do it and most improtantly there isn’t anywhere to run it. So this whole thing should die a quick death and be done. Hopefully.
James, I would think it could be done for 10 million or less. Anyone know what they cost when they were new? New diesels are running over a million a pop, so 8 to 10 times the cost for the restoration.
The 3985 Challenger is currently the biggest operating steam on North America and probably will be for some time to come.
There are not many Big Boys left in existance and to find one that can be restored with money, skilled labor, shop and parts is going to be a hunt.
Assuming you got the thing built and running. You will have to get the railroad’s permission and blessing to even turn a wheel. That is a whole different fight. I for one rather not go there.
Of the 25 originals, 8 remain in varying states of disrepair. They are located in:
Scranton
Green Bay
St Louis
Dallas
Omaha
Cheyenne
Denver
Los Angeles
The bottom line is it would be UP or nobody. Track and insurance are not the big issues. The issues are which of the 8 would be willing to give up their trophy, and for how much? Would the others be willing to kick in parts to help complete the project?
The likely candidates would be Cheyenne and Omaha because of their UP connections.
Well now if I win the lottery I think I could spare a few million. I am sure UP would love to have one running. Bigger question is what are you going to do with it, they never pulled passengers, maybe I could use a few million more and rebuild some old reefers.
From talking to the people there at the museam in Dallas, they informed me that the whole thing was a hoax played on them by an ad agency. They were to put 10 million towards the project but once the agency discoverd Hollywood wasn’t interested they just left the museam on the hook. Also, you are correct that the piston rods are indeed cut. Personally, I have watched the big boy in Dallas fall into disrepair more and more. It is a shame really.
If it was restored they could easily make a deal with Fort Worth Southwestern to Run it on its old Cotton Belt tracks. The Turntable may have to be lengthened but it would be a real treat to see one under it’s own steam.