Great photos and videos Elliot ! really liked this last one ...
had to be awesome standing there as it rolled by !
can't wait to see the Big Boy running on your layout 
Thanks Brian, that was fun. I got pretty close to 261 and CP 2816, but this takes the cake, and right in my own back yard too.
As for the model, I haven't ordered it yet, but I will, and the rest of the excursion cars. I wish Lionel would make the Kenefick, I could put my wife and me on the platform. This was us in Duluth at the gala.
P.S. I'm going to tweak the title of this topic to better reflect what is going on for the future.
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that would be COOL Elliot !!
you may have to kitbash one in your spare time...
then you two could take a ride around your layout.
Here's a couple videos from today. First one is not far from Union Depot in St. Paul - train left the depot, then stopped for 25 or 30 minutes at the first wye. A couple freights went by. Then it was on the move, slowly, around the wye. This was a few seconds after the loco had cleared the wye, though most of the train was still on it.
Next one is the train going by at Knapp, Wis. There were maybe 12 people there, including folks who live or have relatives on the other side of the private crossing.
Elliot - Sorry for not following up. Plans kept changing. Then today, there was a wreck on 94 that had traffic backed up. Had planned to go to Eau Claire, but I goofed by staying on 12 and not going back to 94 after Knapp. Lost too much time to get to Eau Claire before the train. Looks like you had a great time.
ADDITION - I was one of those caught out by the change in routing on the Monday return. Was waiting along Shepard, west of the depot. Thought I heard whistle coming from the "wrong" direction. Others there said it was a boat. Not that I had much confidence in my idea.
David
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Big_Boy_4005 posted:Well guys, sad to say, Big Boy week is over for me. I will see her one ore time when we go out to North Platte in a couple weeks.
Look me up. I intend to be there.
Kent in SD
A friend of mine sent me this link to a Youtube video that was shot last Friday and Monday going to Duluth and coming back. This guy was a true chaser. All things considered the results are pretty good. Lots of trees, but there are some nice breaks with clear views. Decent editing too. Enjoy!
David, no problem. I meant to email you too, so I guess we're even on ball dropping. Nice videos.
Sorry to say, but if you were west of the depot on Shepard Rd, you were never going to see the Big Boy there. Those tracks are the UP Mankato Sub and the CP Merriam Park Sub, AKA Short Line Hill. The Builder uses the hill. There was zero chance the Big Boy ever would go down there. Track ownership, curves and grade all factors on that route.
What I was talking about was the original route through the cities that it used on Friday to head to Duluth, the Midway Sub ex GN, that passes next to the Jackson Street Roundhouse, and through Minneapolis Jct.
The St Paul Sub ex NP runs parallel to it, with about a quarter mile separation in most places, though it varies to maybe up to a mile. The decision was made just north of Northtown where the track splits. They come back together at the north end of the wye down by the depot.
Technically, UP's rights were with the GN and not the NP, and arose from their merger with the C&NW. BNSF dispatch just wants to get traffic through the area as efficiently as possible. As long as the Big Boy wasn't trying to go to UP's East Minneapolis Yard, both routes would work. BNSF's Twin Cities intermodal facility is on the Midway sub, so there was probably traffic, and they just sent it around on the wide open St Paul Sub.
However if you were standing along the track waiting for it, at say, Minneapolis Jct, it would have been a mile away, on the other tracks. If you were waiting along Energy Park Drive, by Midway Stadium, you would have caught a quick glimpse, as you did an about face, and your pictures wouldn't have been very good.
Those who knew, in time to take action, would probably have gathered on the top floor of the Bandana Square parking ramp for a nice vantage point. Bandana Square is the NP's passenger car shops, and on the NRHP. It was also the former home to the Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum. Great place to watch trains on a normal day, though the best in town is along Warner Rd, AKA Hoffman or Dayton's Bluff, east of the wye by the depot. UP, CP and BNSF all go through there, as well as a couple other roads.
Kent, I'll be in touch so we can meet up out there.
That Big Boy was rollin'! Did your friend say how fast they had to drive to keep up?
balidas posted:That Big Boy was rollin'! Did your friend say how fast they had to drive to keep up?
Sorry, but I would guess around fiftyish, It was movin'! Gotta remember he was in a line of cars doing the same thing. Speed limit on the road was mostly 55, as it that mattered.
We drove a good part of the road on the way up, but we were ahead of the train, then pulled off at Henriette to wait with Patrick, as the guy shooting the video flew past on the main road. I gave up the chase after that because it took about 5 minutes to get back on the road, and there was a stop sign where 107 dumped into 23 which cost another three minutes.
Yea ok, I see what you're saying. I didn't think of that. Does anybody know how fast Big Boy can do if they opened him up?
balidas posted:Yea ok, I see what you're saying. I didn't think of that. Does anybody know how fast Big Boy can doNo faster than the posted speed limit.if they opened him up?Steam locomotives, and ships, are referred to has "She" and/or "Her".
Got it.
Just got this off the Waupaca Wisconsin cam chat..."Big Boy will be on the Kearney cam in a couple weeks as it returns to Cheyenne. At Kearney Aug 5th about 10:30 am where it will stop in front of the camera for 15 minutes.
balidas posted:Yea ok, I see what you're saying. I didn't think of that. Does anybody know how fast Big Boy can do if they opened him up?
Maybe Hot Water will poke his head in here on that one. I can only guess, around 70? Not sure if this train qualifies for passenger or freight track limits. If we were ever going to find out it would probably be in Nebraska in its way home.
Jack, you're too quick for me.
Elliot, Great Picture of you and the Mrs! Finally get to place a face to the name!
Train was moving at 50 mph on open track in eastern Nebraska.
Kent in SD
balidas posted:Got it.
Just got this off the Waupaca Wisconsin cam chat..."Big Boy will be on the Kearney cam in a couple weeks as it returns to Cheyenne. At Kearney Aug 5th about 10:30 am where it will stop in front of the camera for 15 minutes.
That's were I am planning to be on August 5th. I only live about 3 miles from its planned stop in Kearney. Actually it is my old stopping grounds while growing up.
Thanks for the clarification, Elliot. I should have run my information by you!
Here's a couple pix from today - also shot video at both places, but I'll stick with stills. First is a few miles south of Merrillan; the second is at Wyeville.
Wyeville started out well, but the fellow in the green hat just to the left of the plume along the ballast squatted maybe three feet from the tracks just past the crossing. Photogs who had been in place for a long time yelled to him, but it did no good. Yes, he finally moved two or three seconds before the loco was even with him.
Oh, decided to add one more - I'm not used to seeing both insulators on and wires between the telegraph poles.
When the train stopped for the day, Ed Dickens was talking to some folks. Among the things he said - he was on the lookout for the photographers who were on a bridge.
David
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Again, great pictures David.
The reason I know as much as I do about the Twin Cities railroad scene, is because that's what I model. I'm not much of an historian, sticking to the more modern. In a way this is cheating, because most of the design work is done for me, and with Google Earth, I almost never have to leave my house to see all kinds of things about what I'm modeling. Every once in a while, I'll take a field trip and get pictures. That reminds me, I do need to take one fairly soon. One of my flour mills just closed down. Get it before it's gone condo. An entire section of my layout may be fading into history.
Doing my best to keep it alive.
OK gang, lots of great pictures and videos of the outside of the train, but unless Byrdie posts his pics, what follows is rather exclusive. As I mentioned earlier, we attended the gala to benefit the railroad museum in Duluth. This gave us almost private access to the train, including three of the executive cars at the back end. With so few people around we got shots inside the Experience car, and my wife became almost obsessed with all the mechanical workings of the engine itself.
Let's start inside.
This first batch is the Experience baggage interior. It's a nicely done history and technical display. You simply walk through and read the material on the walls. It's air conditioned too.
Looking at this UP system merger map, I tried to speculate where the Big Boy would go next. I foresee two more of these tour loops, one to the southeast part of the system and another to the west, along the coast.
This is the part where the public never gets to go. I wish we had taken more pictures. If you look at the book shelf you'll see the familiar blue box of Trivial Pursuit. A nice space to chill and watch the miles go by.
We had a drink and Hors d'oeuvres hosted by UP. Very nice. This was originally a dining car, but was converted to a chair lounge. All kinds of historical pictures line the walls.
The current dining car. I poked my head in the kitchen as they were preparing more hors d'oeuvres. They looked good but there was no turning back at that point.
The door to the Kenefick observation. This is the UP's President's car. We sat in the small lounge at the back end and chatted with other guests and a couple of museum volunteers, before stepping out onto the platform to get our picture taken. In hindsight, I wish we had taken more pictures inside.
That's it for now. I'll post some of the Big Boy close up shots in a day or so.
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Where are the rest of the pics? Wish I was able to make the trip North to Duluth. It's bee some time since my last visit there.
Sorry Jon, my hands are getting so bad with neuropathy that I can barely hold the camera and press the shutter release. Tammy took all the pictures except the ones of us on the platform and this one I managed to take of her. It took me nearly three minutes to get it, and I was pretty frustrated.
By the way, lemon bars! She was talking later today...
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Hahaha...no wonder Tammy looks so exasperated. It's all good, just giving you a hard time. What a fun trip, nonetheless. Wish I had been there. As for photography, all my cameras are film cameras. I don't own a digital camera. As film died, I packed up my darkroom, Hasselblad, and the rest of it. Someday I may get back into it. So, no harm, no foul. Lemmon bars later today? what a tease...
Jon, just get yourself a cheap digital. You could go see my son at Best Buy in Maple Grove. He'll be happy to sell you one. Digital is so nice. You do need to shift away from making every shot quality, and rely on sheer volume, then select the best ones after the fact. It is so different from film. Beside, you get to review your results immediately.
I should get a digital camera, but I'm not sure I would be happy with something that doesn't behave like an SLR. With a Blad, there is no such ting as volume, as only 12-frames where available, unless one owned an A24 back, which suck. An A70 is a nightmare in the darkroom. BTW, Hasselblad is the camera that went to the moon. My natural tendencies would be compose first rather than burn filmstock. I had Nikons and Nikkormats for that. I started with a Bolex Rex 4. Video killed that. I was into stop-frame animation, video cameras were not very accommodating to that end. I regret selling off some of the cameras I had, but cherish the ones I still own, especially the Leicas (range finders) and a ever bulky Sinar…
I need to move on though. I'm not in the market for a digital Hasselblad, as I don't need a $32K camera. But wold love something like a digital Nikkormat. Can your son set me up with something like that? I'm a complete novice with anything digital. I'm so engraved in the weight of analog, much like the steam era...
We have a Canon, but those were taken using my son's camera, which is also a Canon, just a newer model, more pixels. You should be thinking hundreds of dollars, not thousands.
Nice images Elliot, glad to hear you enjoyed the visit.
I'm a complete newbie, but wanted to see if I could catch her with my son as she comes through Chicagoland tomorrow. Anyone here know of a viewing spot they'd be willing to share? I was looking at some of the parks (West Park, Prairie Lakes Park) in Des Plaines as a possibility. Basically the run between 294 and 90.
Also, any hints on timing so we actually see it?
Thanks for any help - I've loved all the info and photos/videos so far!
-Andy
asmith1440 posted:I'm a complete newbie, but wanted to see if I could catch her with my son as she comes through Chicagoland tomorrow. Anyone here know of a viewing spot they'd be willing to share? I was looking at some of the parks (West Park, Prairie Lakes Park) in Des Plaines as a possibility. Basically the run between 294 and 90.
I would think the best places would be between Elmhurst and West Chicago, when the train is on the three track UP/METRA main line.
Also, any hints on timing so we actually see it?
Although the reported schedule indicates "arrival in West Chicago at 2:30PM", remember that it is only about 119 miles from its departure point to West Chicago, thus it would be prudent to be at your chosen spot nice and early. I plan on going to Elmhurst, just west of the METRA station, by 10:30AM, just to be sure!
Thanks for any help - I've loved all the info and photos/videos so far!
-Andy
Thanks Bobby, we had a great time.
Andy, use this link to the UP Steam Club email I posted on page one of this topic. In it you'll find more links. The tracking map and schedule will be the best tools to find it as it comes through your area.
Anybody else notice that the whistle buzzes? I have noticed this in all of the videos.
Big Jim posted:Anybody else notice that the whistle buzzes? I have noticed this in all of the videos.
I've wondered about that also. Sure sounds odd, in most all the videos I've viewed. I've also seen lots of complaints about how much the whistle is used, i.e. overkill. I'll drive 4 or 5 miles to watch it pass through Elmhurst,IL tomorrow morning, and judge what it sounds like "live". I can only hope for some appreciable exhaust sound at they accelerate westward on the three track main line to West Chicago.
I wish they would also remove that graffiti from the smokebox door. It looks stupid.
ecd15 posted:I wish they would also remove that graffiti from the smokebox door. It looks stupid.
I agree. That said, since it is only chalk, the few times 4014 has been caught in rain storms, the "graffiti" has been washed off. A few of the color phots I've seen posted throughout the internet, without the "graffiti", are really quite nice.
Big Jim posted:Anybody else notice that the whistle buzzes? I have noticed this in all of the videos.
They need to add a rectifier to it, will stop the buzzing *lol*.
Hot Water posted:Big Jim posted:Anybody else notice that the whistle buzzes? I have noticed this in all of the videos.
I've wondered about that also. Sure sounds odd, in most all the videos I've viewed. I've also seen lots of complaints about how much the whistle is used, i.e. overkill. I'll drive 4 or 5 miles to watch it pass through Elmhurst,IL tomorrow morning, and judge what it sounds like "live". I can only hope for some appreciable exhaust sound at they accelerate westward on the three track main line to West Chicago.
Is it possible that there is some water in the whistle?
The reason it seems like the whistle is blowing in almost every video is, most of them are taken near grade crossings. I took both of my videos near one. The one from Tuesday, taken near my house, is the fifth grade crossing in about a three mile stretch. He barely clears the one crossing, and has to start blowing for the next one.
Big_Boy_4005 posted:Hot Water posted:Big Jim posted:Anybody else notice that the whistle buzzes? I have noticed this in all of the videos.
I've wondered about that also. Sure sounds odd, in most all the videos I've viewed. I've also seen lots of complaints about how much the whistle is used, i.e. overkill. I'll drive 4 or 5 miles to watch it pass through Elmhurst,IL tomorrow morning, and judge what it sounds like "live". I can only hope for some appreciable exhaust sound at they accelerate westward on the three track main line to West Chicago.
Is it possible that there is some water in the whistle?
Water in the whistle supply line is usually present when first starting out in the morning. Since the whistle is supplied from the superheater header, once the superheaters and frontend throttle housing are all clear out of condensation/moisture, then there should be no more "water in the whistle".
The reason it seems like the whistle is blowing in almost every video is, most of them are taken near grade crossings. I took both of my videos near one. The one from Tuesday, taken near my house, is the fifth grade crossing in about a three mile stretch. He barely clears the one crossing, and has to start blowing for the next one.
Yes, videos taken at grade crossings are quite common on such runs, but I have viewed MANY more "professional" videos, i.e. use of a real video camera mounted on a proper tripod, that are NOT even close to any grade crossings, and yet the whistle is still blowing.
Then it sounds like he's just showing off for the cameras.
Big_Boy_4005 posted:Then it sounds like he's just showing off for the cameras.
Gee,,,,,,,,,ya think?
Have property in the Dells, and had I've been there, I would have made the trip to Adams to witness this. It's great so many get to see this.
Big_Boy_4005 posted:You do need to shift away from making every shot quality, and rely on sheer volume, then select the best ones after the fact. It is so different from film. Beside, you get to review your results immediately.
I disagree. My Nikon D500 can shoot 10 frames per second, and my new D850 can do about 7 frames per second. However, unless you're shooting birds in flight or action sports, the "spray & pray" method really doesn't guarantee anything. I find I use the same approach in taking a photo with any camera. Previsualize what you want the photo to look like before you take it. Think it through, starting with the direction of the light. When I went down to photo the 4014 I took a Nikon D850 DSLR and a Chamonix 4x5. I took four shots with the 4x5 and four with the Nikon. My "keeper" rate is quite high.
Kent in SD
