To answer Ike's question about the route of the NKP PA, I have no idea. I don't think anything has been published yet. Most likely it will be on BN track. The fact that she will accompany 700 to Amtrak' s Train Day is tempting me to run up there again.
If you can't see it you can at least track it. It hasn't been my lucky day for providing links to the UP, Big Boy #4014. Let's try a GPS tracking website provided by Union Pacific. Sorry not able to embed so you will have to click away. http://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/steam/trace.cfm Looks like they are just a wee bit behind schedule.
I was just searching on YouTube again. Nothing new that I can find, beyond that short clip from yesterday. Kind of a bummer.
Today as I write, the Big Boy is on static display in Las Vegas (Lost Wages) and there isn't much to see in the way of live streaming. Drew and Brian are out scouting the tracks for tomorrow's live streaming. Just an observation. Tomorrow, the train escorting the UP #4014 Big Boy will be going through some extremely remote areas and the cell phone service is sporadic. Until they get up closer to Salt Lake City it will be difficult to see live streaming footage of the special/extra. I did note the TRAINS website is up but no content available as the locomotive is on static display, downtown Las Vegas. I can only hope the camera crew didn't bet away their camera's loosing them last night, I said with a mischievous grin. Hoping the UP crews can get the Big Boy out of town before it becomes a park monument. Most of the streaming is extremely amateurish, more like being out with a bunch of guys that don't know what they are doing but having a lot of fun doing it. Kind of a virtual ride along and you are privileged to be joining in. I enjoyed what little coverage I got to see yesterday but it is what it is. Also, subscriber's are reporting they've been shut out from the live streaming while other's haven't had problems viewing the fun. Anyway the links I provided yesterday are still working (I hope not just for me). I won't be spending much time following the action today or tomorrow. Enjoy what you can and if you are able to get out and shoot some footage or video...share it here.
This one has a little of the first move from the park but is mostly from yesterday. [video=youtube;X_jQ1b1xflQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_jQ1b1xflQ[/video]
Russell, excellent find. It captures the trip from Colton to Yermo. To all other's: Correction on my input in a previous post. There's been a change of the guard. Hosting as per Trains Website: Brian Schmidt and Drew Halverson: Colton, Calif.- Las Vegas, April 28-30, Jim Wrinn: Las Vegas-Cheyenne, Wyo., April 30-May 8 As of today, we won't be riding along with Drew and Brian, Jim has and will be our host. He did confirm today that "I've been told I will loose you" due to sporadic cell phone availability, between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. So stand by...the fun is just beginning. Updated link: http://trn.trains.com/en/Union Pacific Big Boy/Webcam/2014/04/UP Big Boy Streaming Webcam.aspx
Modern "railfans". Bleh. Wish they'd shut up and just take their videos. The background chatter stinks. The yelling and cussing is even worse. Really low class.
Ever been out with some of these guys when they live up to their nick of "Foamer". As given by the Rails. You never know what's going on with them. Yeah, I could do without the cussing and the background chatter. Just try finding a spot to film something and see how many assistants and helpers you end up with. All fighting for the better shot. Oh, it can be fun out there.
I know. I've chased a few interesting moves. As the years have passed, more and more often, morons walk in front of you, as if they are the only people alive. Some sort of sick sense of entitlement. Or they start talking while your camera is running. Losers: Thoughtless and just plain rude. No wonder rails hate them. I always stand quietly by, give a polite wave, and more often than not, can end up in an interesting chat.
I went down to early yesterday to get a couple of shots of the 4014 as the early morning sun hit it. There were only two other photographers there. Photographer A was there first and was set up on a tripod getting some close in shots. Photographer B started to yell at him to move because he was getting in the way of his "perfect shots". I got my shots and told Photographer A I didn't mind him being there, sometimes it helps to have a person in the shots to give a little perspective on how big that thing really is. Good manners go a long way in our hobby...
As I write: Jim Wrinn is on his way to Apex, NV., to catch the #4014. He managed to catch it leaving Las Vegas and it's headed for Milford, Utah through some desolate desert. To be the longest day for the UP steam crew. Tuning in reminds me of the times I've chased a train or two. Hurry up and wait. Coverage will be spotty. Have fun!
Virtual Ride Along Now as I write: The UP #4014 stopped at Moapa, NV., for lubrication and the coverage was well done. Jim now heads off into Meadow Valley Wash between Moapa and Caliente, NV., dark territory and hopefully we can catch him later today some where near Milford, UT. He's done a good job positioning the camera but I have to say it reminds me of a friend and his camera work. I can tell that story another time. Still a privilege to be able to share in the virtual ride along. This will be all from me today. I have other things I need to attend to. Hope these reports help anyone that isn't able to share in the fun. Oh the link I provided still works. You can find it in one of my previous threads. Have fun!
The link to UP's tracking, allowing you to track the progress of the Big Boy and it's entourage: http://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/steam/trace.cfm They've been stopping a lot and I don't know why or what that means. The link to Trains and the virtual ride along: http://trn.trains.com/en/Union Pacific Big Boy/Webcam/2014/04/UP Big Boy Streaming Webcam.aspx Be patient with the programing as their success depends on the availability of cell phone service. I don't think you need me to keep you up to date so enjoy and have fun.
Well Steam units need to stop more often than diesels. That and Steamers normally need to stop every 100 miles or so and be lubed.
They're moving a machine which has been sitting inactive for many decades, so being very cautious. I'm sure that in addition to lubing far more than a steamer would normally, they're inspecting all moving parts very thoroughly. Any failure could clog up the railroad, plus do incredibly expensive damage to something for which parts simply don't exist.
Ike and Ken, This is true about the needed maintenance and lubrication. However, the stops they've been making aren't in character with these issues. Yesterday, they were behind in crew calls and didn't leave Las Vegas as scheduled. Leaving almost two hours late and put in behind a local. Just getting to Moapa, NV., a lubrication stop they ended up waiting for the local to clear on several occasions. Last night, they didn't reach Milford, UT a scheduled stop but did get close. Hopefully we will get an update from Jim W. sometime today. So the readers here know: Today is a subscriber's day only. In other words you will need to be a subscriber to Trains or one of their other wig wags. This was the case the other day and some of us were able to visit the website and see the action. For us non-subscribers, we shall wait and see what action we can get in on. Both links I provided yesterday are still up and working. Once Jim clears the dark territory and is able to get cell phone coverage he will be back up and the chase will be on. Yesterday, he ended up talking to a number of railfans and possible converts. Lot's of interesting questions and he handled them very well. Have fun!
