"The world’s largest steam locomotive is crossing America, and America is in love"

Does it always have the big puffs of thick black smoke she speaks of? At the 1 minute mark someone goes across the tracks. Pretty scary!

Crossing America? Seems to be only going as far as Chicago.

Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

In addition to congratulating the author for "getting it" who would like to volunteer a little gentle constructive criticism to help her correct the handful of misconceptions, minor or otherwise, that are in her fine piece?

And if doing so remember two words: GENTLE and PATIENCE.)

A layman author, female to boot, writes an effusive article in a mainstream publication about a steam locomotive, which you claim to praise, but then you invite criticism?? Unbelievable.

I'd be curious about what you consider to be "misconceptions" in the piece.

smd4 posted:

Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

In addition to congratulating the author for "getting it" who would like to volunteer a little gentle constructive criticism to help her correct the handful of misconceptions, minor or otherwise, that are in her fine piece?

And if doing so remember two words: GENTLE and PATIENCE.)

A layman author, female to boot, writes an effusive article in a mainstream publication about a steam locomotive, which you claim to praise, but then you invite criticism?? Unbelievable.

I'd be curious about what you consider to be "misconceptions" in the piece.

Bingo

Yes..l HAD the attitude about it l had about a couple of eastern roads, and their rolling stock (that's all they babble about... don't bother me)....but this achievement, getting one of the largest in the world on the rails recovers some of my childhood experience, down at the station with steamers, when they were just part of the scenery.  Wonder if trackage and bridges would allow this economy size loco east of Chicago?  I hope the UP got its publicity money's worth, plus!, and other roads with no management interest in their own history take notice.  Uh, such as in the New River Gorge.  Picture THAT crossing the Hawks Nest Bridge, if it could safely do so.  They'd need crowd control, for sure, if it got into populated east.

Here's another misconception (in addition to the one Joe Hohmann pointed out):  "America is in love."  Other than my son and the members of our train club (7 at current count), only ONE other person I know has heard of this engine and its rebuilding.  Just ONE.  And that person is indifferent, at best.

Have not had chance to see for myself, yet.  But received email from friend living in Antioch, Ill.  He, and wife, were able to catch it as it was leaving Kenosha, Wisconsin.  They saw, and photographed, the 4014 at same location we caught the 3985 Challenger in 2002 when she was making the rounds.  The Challenger came North from the Chicago area, then was turned on a wye North of Milwaukee, before returning South the next day.  Gave us a chance to make pics and a movie of her a second time.  OK, looking through my stuff to try and locate the CD made of the Challenger in 2002.  Will post, if possible, for all when I find it and am able to.  Not working at Great Lakes Naval anymore, retired in Okla. in 2014, not likely to be going that far North any time soon.  Sigh...….

Jesse   TCA

Well, as I read the article....   Yes, 4014 is crossing America.  Just not ALL the way across from sea to shining sea.  But, still rolling across our America for Americans, and others, to witness.  Yes, crossing America through a good portion of it, and much to the pleasure and love of those who are fortunate to witness the moments.  As pointed out, hope this does a lot to start a revival of interest among the populace, to some extent, and more renewed interests by other railroads to do same.  How great it would be to see the same running of various steam engines, as was witnessed in the later part of the last century!  Who can say what the running of 2014 may lead to?

It is all a very good thing for all America.

Jesse   TCA 

Joe Hohmann posted:

Crossing America? Seems to be only going as far as Chicago.

That's in the headline. It says nothing of the sort in the article. Blame the headline writer, not the author.

palallin posted:

Here's another misconception (in addition to the one Joe Hohmann pointed out):  "America is in love."  Other than my son and the members of our train club (7 at current count), only ONE other person I know has heard of this engine and its rebuilding.  Just ONE.  And that person is indifferent, at best. 

That's in the headline. It says nothing of the sort in the article. Blame the headline writer, not the author.

Joe Hohmann posted:

Crossing America? Seems to be only going as far as Chicago.

I guess we're in a foreign country here in the east.

That's an excellent article for "the masses". It expresses the wonder and excitement of witnessing this astounding machine moving through the landscape. I was privileged to see it moving last Friday and on static display in West Chicago last Saturday, and it ranks highly amongst the better experiences of my 70 years. Kudos to Ed Dickens, the steam team and Union Pacific Corporation. The most important takeaway of the article was the final lines:

" The train’s journey is a reminder of the majesty of American infrastructure, and of the power of old-fashioned spectacle to bring communities together. But perhaps that’s putting it too grandly. In the end, Big Boy is mostly a reminder that huge trains are awesome. "

I couldn't agree more.

Wow...some of you guys really know how to buzz kill something positive...me,I'll take "611" and be happy

IF it gets within striking distance, I will do my best to go see this historic piece of steamdom. 

Andre

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Joe Hohmann posted:

Crossing America? Seems to be only going as far as Chicago.

I guess we're in a foreign country here in the east.

Foreign meaning Union Pacific doesn't serve the east.  That's NS and CSX territory.

kgdjpubs posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Joe Hohmann posted:

Crossing America? Seems to be only going as far as Chicago.

I guess we're in a foreign country here in the east.

Foreign meaning Union Pacific doesn't serve the east.  That's NS and CSX territory.

If UP acquires one of those roads, it could come east of Chicago. I don't know how likely that is to happen, however.

colorado hirailer posted:

Yes..l HAD the attitude about it l had about a couple of eastern roads, and their rolling stock (that's all they babble about... don't bother me)....but this achievement, getting one of the largest in the world on the rails recovers some of my childhood experience, down at the station with steamers, when they were just part of the scenery.  Wonder if trackage and bridges would allow this economy size loco east of Chicago?  I hope the UP got its publicity money's worth, plus!, and other roads with no management interest in their own history take notice.  Uh, such as in the New River Gorge.  Picture THAT crossing the Hawks Nest Bridge, if it could safely do so.  They'd need crowd control, for sure, if it got into populated east.

By and large, yes you could take it many places east of Chicago, with the proper planning as long as you stayed on the mainlines.  There are some routes where you might find an issue, but you'd probably be surprised where it could go if someone really wanted to take it there.  Remember, the east coast railroads had their fair share of very large articulated steam engines.  The C&O Allegheny 2-6-6-6 was just as big as a UP 4000, and had heavier axle loadings, so it was more restrictive.

texastrain posted:

Well, as I read the article....   Yes, 4014 is crossing America.  Just not ALL the way across from sea to shining sea.  But, still rolling across our America for Americans, and others, to witness.  Yes, crossing America through a good portion of it, and much to the pleasure and love of those who are fortunate to witness the moments.  As pointed out, hope this does a lot to start a revival of interest among the populace, to some extent, and more renewed interests by other railroads to do same.  How great it would be to see the same running of various steam engines, as was witnessed in the later part of the last century!  Who can say what the running of 2014 may lead to?

It is all a very good thing for all America.

Jesse   TCA 

Jesse,

You are correct, the UP got it, fixed it, and is running it for everyone to see. Even non railfans are astounded if they have a chance to experience it rolling by at speed. What still amazes me is the lack of crowd awareness with spectators between tracks, walking across tracks, being too close etc. If anyone has not seen it run and they have a chance I say go. You never know when it will end. Do hope more steam is allowed to roam the country. I'd guess a "Southern/SP Swing" before it returns to the north so maybe you can see it!

My one friend in Iowa was talking about it, because he knows I'm a train but. I didn't read what he article he posted said where it was(guessing Chicago). Nice to see non-train folk taking notice of something big coming their way.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Joe Hohmann posted:

Crossing America? Seems to be only going as far as Chicago.

I guess we're in a foreign country here in the east.

95% of the time, with respect in most things in O gauge (York and almost everything else), that's how those of us living in the west feel.  

texastrain posted:

..... As pointed out, hope this does a lot to start a revival of interest among the populace, to some extent, and more renewed interests by other railroads to do same. 

Wouldn't that be nice.

It would be interesting to know what conversations took place within NS, CSX, and BNSF with respect to the public relations bonanza that the UP received from this.

One advantage the UP has, of course, is that their engine and their railroad have the same name, so name identification is instant. 

I wonder if local news coverage announcing the train passing through is helping the crowd turnout or is America seeing a renewed interest in trains/modelling, etc?

 I sometimes will look for an eclipse that is announced on tv, but I'm not into astronomy and I dont own a telescope.

Hey Gang,  guess what ;  I get to see the “BOY” in Carroll, Iowa tomorrow!!!  Eat your Hearts ♥️ out!! LOL

Fredstrains

I have had so many "non-train" friends ask me about the Big Boy.  People at church, people at the senior center asking me if I had heard about this giant steam engine that was coming to our area.  They asked if I had heard about it?  Was I going?  what would be the best way for them to see it?  It has been on the local news every day for 6 days with pictures.  In the local newspapers with pictures on the front page.

We went to West Chicago and did not have enough time to find a parking place, walk a fair distance, and fight the crowds on Monday.  But I had planned a trip to film it with train friends and my grandson on Tuesday as it left for Rochelle, IL.  We went to Cortland, IL, which is a small town just east of Dekalb, IL.  Got there at 8:00 AM, got a great spot close to the tracks and backed my pickup in.  I setup my tripod in the bed of the truck and checked to be sure I could see over everyone nearby.  A crowd gathered as the Big Boy was late arriving due to a late start from West Chicago.  While we were waiting a mixed manifest freight went by on the track closest to us.  We realized that if that happens when the BB goes by we wouldn't be able to see it.  We were lucky and it didn't happen.  We were getting reports on the BB's progress and began seeing small planes circling in the sky so we knew it was getting close.  We estimated there were about 300 people watching at our spot in this small town and it was made up of seniors, families with young children and everybody in between.  Two senior ladies came together, one on a golf cart and one on a riding lawnmower.  Two different people beside us had taking time off work to watch the Big Boy.  This was the most excitement in this town in a long time, very exciting event.

The Big Boy came through at I would estimate 40 MPH with it's whistle blaring, smoking and putting on a fabulous show.  Wow!  A sight no one will soon forget.  The crowd cheered after it went by!  No one was disappointed.  

Then we raced out of town, back to the Interstate and tried to get to Rochelle to see it there.  We got very lucky.  Got through road construction on the south side of Rochelle, navigated through the local neighborhoods with cars parked everywhere beginning about 6 blocks from the railroad park.  Parked in a spot that partially blocked a sidewalk that was one and half blocks from the park.  A lady sitting in a lawn chair across the street  told me I couldn't park there, but after a polite discussion we left to see the Big Boy just as it pulled up to the railroad park.  Huge crowd at Rochelle!  A sea of people waiting for the BB.  

I will post pictures and videos, but a fabulous day of train watching.

Art

To those of you who mentioned restoring and running more steam locomotives, do you remember the L&N locomotive that started its restoration journey last year?  There were pictures all over the internet of the crowds who lined the streets as the loco and tender were trucked from a city park in Nashville to be placed on a rail line for movement to restoration site.  (Sorry, I don't remember more details.)

One thing we all have to remember is that restoration (up to today's standards) costs money, and while UP may have deep pockets, most other steam loco owners do not.  If you want to see more steam running again, CONTRIBUTE FUNDS!!

Chuck

jay jay posted:

" The train’s journey is a reminder of the majesty of American infrastructure, and of the power of old-fashioned spectacle to bring communities together. But perhaps that’s putting it too grandly. In the end, Big Boy is mostly a reminder that huge trains are awesome. "

 

That is a good closer.

Finally had a chance to process a video from last Tuesday.  It was a really great day and one we will long remember.  Union Pacific has done a fabulous job on this.  There are a lot of new "railroad fans" after they saw the Big Boy.

https://youtu.be/RsfCnRgZ1vE

Art

AmeenTrainGuy posted:

What parts of California is the BigBoy going to visit?

LA and Sacramento.

Charlie

Recent traveling trends by the public are indicating that many are sick and tired of the treatment received by the airlines, and passenger train travel is on an upswing...  If only Amtrak could get their act together'. Rail travel would undoubtedly increase'.. And often everything old, is new again.....

Charlie posted:

AmeenTrainGuy posted:

What parts of California is the BigBoy going to visit?

LA and Sacramento.

Charlie

LA, yes but, I don't think Sacramento.

No love in Houston.  Yet.  Maybe next year.

AmeenTrainGuy posted:

Hot Water posted:

LA, yes but, I don't think Sacramento.

So it won't be coming to Northern California/Bay Area at all?

Reportedly, no.

I still don't get the Union Pacific spending the money restoring the 4014 and taking it on tour with the insurance risk,but I love it. I was one of the many in the crowd to see the engine in West Chicago Illinois last week. It was a concert atmosphere,everyone there was happy to see the big attraction. I didn't see anyone leaving disappointed. I give great credit to the Union Pacific for bringing steam power to the masses in 2019. 

Dan986 posted:

I still don't get the Union Pacific spending the money restoring the 4014 and taking it on tour with the insurance risk,but I love it.

How do you know they're not self-insured? Besides, it's their engine running on their railroad.

smd4 posted:

Dan986 posted:

I still don't get the Union Pacific spending the money restoring the 4014 and taking it on tour with the insurance risk,but I love it.

How do you know they're not self-insured? Besides, it's their engine running on their railroad.

It's also not a fare-paying excursion.  Liability is like the same as it would be for a business train.

Besides, given all of UP's assets that are covered one way or another, this tour is a drop in the bucket.

Rusty

And fortunately for those of us steam (and RR history) enthusiasts, the UP bean counters have apparently been told to count other beans -- UP has invested some real money in their heritage program.  It would be interesting to know what the resurrection of 4014 has cost them -- its not likely that it will pay off as a revenue-building exercise.  OTOH, its a lotta good will and publicity - as the crowds it has drawn suggests.  

Just the idea of plucking one of the very largest stream locomotives out of a park (where it sat for 50+ years) with the intent of getting it back on the rails under live steam (not to mention switching fuels) and then driving it around on (mostly) mainline rails shows a real commitment (and lack of temerity) on UP's part.  And kudos to them - not something that the other class 1 RRs seem to be doing. 

I have always felt that the Union Pacific was a class act railroad and this is further evidence of that in my humble opinion.  

Art

Dan986 posted:

I still don't get the Union Pacific spending the money restoring the 4014 and taking it on tour with the insurance risk,but I love it. I was one of the many in the crowd to see the engine in West Chicago Illinois last week. It was a concert atmosphere,everyone there was happy to see the big attraction. I didn't see anyone leaving disappointed. I give great credit to the Union Pacific for bringing steam power to the masses in 2019. 

Great picture!

UP is using PSR.  "Saving" beans there.

There is a cost to steam.  Thete is a cost to any sort of advertising.  You can place a price on what it costs per set of eyeballs.  But has anybody done any studies about which kinds of ads and/or media stays in the brain behind the set of eyeballs for an extended period of time?