Big Boy slo-mo action

I think that's what they call poetry in motion.

While it was coming into and out of Houston, BB was slow.  Even in arrow straight track.

Then again, it is running......

That's about the speed it pulled into Duluth when I saw it, only not an altered video.  Only plus for me is not diesel behind when I saw it, definitely operating under its own power, just not very much of it.

At least she's got cylinder head covers now.

@smd4 posted:

At least she's got cylinder head covers now.

Which the UP 4000s did not have in regular service, especially polished stainless steel covers. Poor 4014 has become pretty blinged-out, what with the polished "dog dishes" at each washout plug location. But,,,,,,the crowds sure love it!

@jhz563 posted:

I have permission from reddit user cybersquatch to post the original video but couldn't get it to download on mobile.   Check out this video,  it gives the Big Boy a pretty cool look.

Thank you for posting these things.   Very cool stuff.

@Hot Water posted:

... Poor 4014 has become pretty blinged-out, what with the polished "dog dishes" at each washout plug location. But,,,,,,the crowds sure love it!

Poor 4014??  She's running ... out on the rails ... around the country. And, who knows what the future holds.

She's not just sitting there ... cold and dead ... like the other 4000s ... in a museum, or in a shed, or out in the elements. Or, had an even worse fate.

I'd say 4014 is one lucky and happy girl ... and is eager to do more.

So where did the myth of the 4000's could do 80 mph come from?

@Dominic Mazoch posted:

So where did the muth of the 4000's could do 80 mph come from?

Advertising crap fro Alco, back in the day.

@Hot Water posted:

Advertising crap fro Alco, back in the day.

Not really crap, Jack. The reciprocating and rotating parts were deliberately over-engineered by Jeffers and his design team, in conjunction with ALCo’s engineers for a theoretical speed of 80 MPH.

This was done to prevent rod and other running gear failures in the speed range the engines were expected to operate in.

in 1948, the class was still assigned to their original territory, Ogden-Green River and had a speed limit of 45 MPH for both Frt and Pass.

Later, they were operated at up to 60 MPH on the long descending grade from Hermosa to Laramie.

In his book “Big Boy” Kratville said that the strategy worked well, as there was never a rod failure recorded over the road for the entire class.

Over-engineering was a common practice in those days. If you look at bridges constructed at that time and their replacements now, you will see that the component members are much lighter and thinner on the newer structures. Both computers and advances in metallurgical science have made this possible

When 4014 came into and out of Houston, something about the engine was "not quite right".  I am no stram expert, but it seemed as if the BB was producing just enough power to move about 20 mph.  Now, the line coming in along the 290 corridor does not have the best track, and the servicing location NE of Houston was just off the Lake Houston Causeway.  So neither track is like the one along the Hardy Toll Road.

I am trying to be open about this.  Did I or did I not see and feel something different?  Were they taking it easy because of the nrw PTC setup?  Or is there something else.

I have seen AFT 610, AFT/SP 4449, UP 844, and UP 3985 operate.