Nick White, visits the Big Boy #4014 in the Cheyenne Shops. [video=youtube;ibBiGecjtqs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibBiGecjtqs#t=59[/video] Published on May 17, 2014 Visited the Big Boy 4014 during Cheyenne Depot Days 2014. 1080p of Big Boy goodness! More people have visited this year's Depot Days than any previous year. And for good reason! it is called BIG BOY! As submitted by Nick White. Nick, Thanks for posting on You Tube. I might add here a video Nick posted on You Tube and I embedded here doesn't work anymore and is marked private. Sorry to say this could happen to any of the video's I or we have embedded. So Nick, if you are tuned in don't privatize your visit to the shops. Kind of like having it here. Thanks again. Still looking for John's visit. Hint, hint!
I was just reading a brief news mention in a forwarded email. It stated so far there has only been a little work done. Removal of air pumps and a few other appliances. Apparently their shop focus is getting 844 operational again, before any other projects.
Got to remember that even on the mighty Union Pacific there would only be a handfull of men working on the whole heritage fleet with likely other stuff to do as well, not like the old days when there would have been a huge backshop with a workforce numbering in the thousands.
I have a feeling that when they get really involved with this project, more bodies will be present. And there might be private contractors amongst them as well, for really sensitive jobs.
Yesterday I was able to attend a Railroad Program put on at the George Bush (41) Library in College Station, Texas. One of the four speakers was Ed Dickens, of the Union Pacific Steam Program. He did a power point presentation showing photos of the project to get the 4014 prepared for the move and the efforts to get it across the massive parking lot to roll it back onto the national rail network. He talked about all the behind the scenes challenges to complete the project. Was an awesome presentation.
And you didn't record Ed's presentation with your cellphone to share with us...SHAME, SHAME, SHAME. OK, I guess we'll forgive you...this time.
Ed said that the locomotive was in remarkably good condition for having sat off line for so many years. The only thing missing was a steam temperature gauge from the cab. (easily replaced) The southern California climate was good to the engine along with the care given it by its caretakers. Many of the minor problems were left over from when the engine was still in service with the UP.
Sounds like real good news! Hope he and the crew will keep we awaiting public updated. A lot of eyes are watching and hoping.
When asked about the fuel conversion plans, he discussed the logistics required to continue to fuel the locomotive with coal. They had consulted with the folks running the Milwaukee 261 and the other coal fired locos out there and determined that it was just not practical to do, considering the vast distances they plan to range over the system with the Big Boy. Oil is much easier to handle. The UP steam program already has the procedure perfected for transporting their fuel oil everywhere the 844 and 3985 go. They have that down so that the oil is where they need it, when they need it. Coal would require a whole new network and procedure. With the coal tipples long gone, you would have to spot the tender in a place where a front end loader could maneuver to scoop it up from a pile where it had been dumped and then pour it into the bunker. Then before you move on you would probably have to clean up your mess and not leave the dregs of the coal pile behind. With oil they just bring the tanker up along side and run a hose. And then there is the old problem they had before they converted the 3985 where they started grass fires along the right of way with the cinders blowing out the stack and dropping from the fire pan. Much of the UP system is across arid expanses where the dry vegetation has had many decades to accumulate since the last cinder belching steamers kept it under control. As for where they plan to run the locomotive, they have tested it on tight curves and it can go around places where the 844 can not. The clearance issues would have to be carefully addressed but should not be much different than those of the 3985. They plan on moving a feed water pump in a little on the fireman's side where it sticks out a bit and modify the running boards at the front of the boiler.
I kind of figured they'd be converting to oil. Recalling the work to change the other locos, with that experience it should not be too hard. Some changes in the firebox and cab as well. It'll still look and run like a Big boy. Here's a question. We tend to reference steam engine in the feminine, as "she". But this is Big BOY. How do we call that a "she"? Hmmm.....
I believe in Russia ships were historically referred to in masculine. Or you could follow the example of some Greek ships, and paint eyes on the 4014.
A couple of years back world famous Unlimited Hydroplane team, after an unhappy racing incident, painted the Flying Tiger Shark emblem on the nose of their cockpit cowling. Quite an attention grabber.
