Big Boy #4014 moves under power for the first time in over 50 years • The UP is bringing out the 4014, see schedule 🚂

petrifiedagg posted:

Did I read somewhere- or imagine- that they are using a Challenger tender because the Big Boy's tender is not ready?

Exactly! I'm assuming only temporarily, they're using the tender from Challenger locomotive no. 3985, which was in service up until 2010. Therefore, the tender was basically in serviceable condition, and had all of the necessary plumbing and piping for hooking up air brakes, aux tenders, etc. In addition, the 3985 had been converted to oil in the early 1990s, so the tender was already set up as an oil tender, versus the 4014's still in a coal configuration.

Like I said, I'm assuming this is a temporary fix. If the crew were to spend time on the 4014's tender before the big day, they might not have gotten it ready in time. Plus, the 3985 is to return to service in the early 2020s, so she'll need her tender for then.

Eta for my above posted live feed is around 2:30

For tracking

https://www.up.com/forms/steam-trace.cfm

This is so very cool.  As a train fan in general, and steam locomotive fan specifically, this makes me happy to see.    

4014 and 844 together.   What beautiful weather to run in, and for all the in-person fans to attend.

 I am just a casual railfan who is enjoying seeing living history, as are so many others judging by the crowds gathered to watch this pass by.   I'm going to enjoy this, as you never know when we may see this again, after this excursion.

caught some screen shots as he came into Laramie Wy, on Virtual Railfan

Perfect timing as a intermodal passed by on another track

What a great day for Railroad's ! Hats off to the UP.

does that pedestrian bridge look like its sagging from the, ahem, weight of all the bodies and cameras... ?  Bet its design load specs weren't anywhere close to 250 pounds per square foot! (or close to that...)

Probably. Surprised no one limited the number of people up there.

Kelly Anderson posted:

At least until it breaks in, the blowing left piston rod packing is the perfect gauge to tell if #4014 is working or not, if you see a significant leak there, then #4014 is doing significant work.  If you don't, she isn't.  No need to guess, just watch & listen.

I did consider that. But it just drives me crazy! 

I did not see any sign of steam coming from the old boy when he left Laramie, I hope all is well.

Kelly Anderson posted:

smd4 posted:

Someone please, please, PLEASE tighten/replace those piston packing glands!!

At least until it breaks in, the blowing left piston rod packing is the perfect gauge to tell if #4014 is working or not, if you see a significant leak there, then #4014 is doing significant work.  If you don't, she isn't.  No need to guess, just watch & listen.

Look at about 0:51 in this video by Bill Eikenberry on  YouTube .  Here she is doing her share of pulling.  remember that the trailing weight of this train is about 1/10 or less of what the tonnage rating of the combined power would be, so you aren't going to see much more than that this trip.

What I’m really looking forward to after all the festivities are done,  is 4014 pulling a freight train video.  Working hard with serious bark out of the stack 

superwarp1 posted:

What I’m really looking forward to after all the festivities are done,  is 4014 pulling a freight train video.  Working hard with serious bark out of the stack 

I would like that.

Is there any reason to think UP will actually do any such thing?

John Pignatelli JR. posted:

I did not see any sign of steam coming from the old boy when he left Laramie, I hope all is well.

neither of the steam engines are working its all the diesel or as I look at it all for show. I have tapes of a real big boy and they do bark from a dead stop and on up the retired OGR CEO labeled it correctly as yawn.

maybe once they are done getting things broken in we will see a real Big Boy Spectacle. other than that it was nice to see it moving on rails again other than that a real let down for all the hype.

StPaul posted:

John Pignatelli JR. posted:

I did not see any sign of steam coming from the old boy when he left Laramie, I hope all is well.

neither of the steam engines are working its all the diesel or as I look at it all for show. I have tapes of a real big boy and they do bark from a dead stop and on up the retired OGR CEO labeled it correctly as yawn.

maybe once they are done getting things broken in we will see a real Big Boy Spectacle. other than that it was nice to see it moving on rails again other than that a real let down for all the hype.

 

Like Kelly stated the 4014 and 844 together are probably hauling less than 1/10th of their maximum tonnage. If you expected them both to blast out of town like they are hauling 250 intermodals then you're kidding yourself...

Ok, many here, with actual knowledge of steam locomotives are implying, or flat out declaring, that 4014 is just "along for the ride" today.

But this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqgdZMTkV9Y

actually shows a wheel slip at 43 seconds. If 4014 is just being pushed, is a wheel slip likely? Even possible?

AmeenTrainGuy posted:

@trainroomgary Is there a specific YouTube channel where I can follow the excursion live? I am not really comfortable using Facebook due to the privacy issues hey have had recently. 

Hi Ameen Train Guy:

Virtual Railman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eTvnHMJnI4

Traveling Tom - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR7Q27cIEvo

Coaster Ran2105 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0S7P51PFm0

Check out these YT Channels, they are always updating. 

Good luck - Gary

Terry Danks posted:

Is there any reason to think UP will actually do any such thing?

With Ed needing to prove the naysayers wrong and UP needing some good PR, I would say yes.

PennsyPride94 posted:

StPaul posted:

John Pignatelli JR. posted:

I did not see any sign of steam coming from the old boy when he left Laramie, I hope all is well.

neither of the steam engines are working its all the diesel or as I look at it all for show. I have tapes of a real big boy and they do bark from a dead stop and on up the retired OGR CEO labeled it correctly as yawn.

maybe once they are done getting things broken in we will see a real Big Boy Spectacle. other than that it was nice to see it moving on rails again other than that a real let down for all the hype.

 

Like Kelly stated the 4014 and 844 together are probably hauling less than 1/10th of their maximum tonnage. If you expected them both to blast out of town like they are hauling 250 intermodals then you're kidding yourself...

Why don't they just make a 10 or 15 pound reduction on the automatic brake and give the train some resistance for the engine to pull against?

Well  I am glad all is well, you are never to old to learn.

I must be softening in my old age. While watching the early "Trains Magazine" live feed, a very attractive blonde female walked into the shot and it didn't bother me.

Of course, if it was one of those pot-bellied, middle-aged foamers, wearing a dopey engineers cap adorned with a button for every railroad that ever existed, I would have reflexively reached for a handful of ballast to throw. 

All in all it's been a nice day. I assembled and used my new gas grill for the first time and kept track of the doubleheader's progress online.

Terry Danks posted:

Ok, many here, with actual knowledge of steam locomotives are implying, or flat out declaring, that 4014 is just "along for the ride" today.

But this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqgdZMTkV9Y

actually shows a wheel slip at 43 seconds. If 4014 is just being pushed, is a wheel slip likely? Even possible?

Yup, Big Boy and the 844 were assuredly both working steam in that footage. Big Boy definitely slipped and then 844 slipped at the same spot. Also, it was high pressure steam escaping past that loose piston rod packing nut. A joy to watch!

Lew

smd4 posted:

PennsyPride94 posted:

StPaul posted:

John Pignatelli JR. posted:

I did not see any sign of steam coming from the old boy when he left Laramie, I hope all is well.

neither of the steam engines are working its all the diesel or as I look at it all for show. I have tapes of a real big boy and they do bark from a dead stop and on up the retired OGR CEO labeled it correctly as yawn.

maybe once they are done getting things broken in we will see a real Big Boy Spectacle. other than that it was nice to see it moving on rails again other than that a real let down for all the hype.

 

Like Kelly stated the 4014 and 844 together are probably hauling less than 1/10th of their maximum tonnage. If you expected them both to blast out of town like they are hauling 250 intermodals then you're kidding yourself...

Why don't they just make a 10 or 15 pound reduction on the automatic brake and give the train some resistance for the engine to pull against?

Oh yes, they very well could Steve and I've seen that used more than once on charters where the consist is too short for make the engine work at all so they had to cheat a little, so to speak. Trains magazine published an article today quoting Ed as saying they only got 70 miles under their belt on the test run and he would've preferred 500 (paraphrasing) so I guess he's just taking it easy with her to let her break in more while out on the road. Who knows, maybe when he heads back East with her he'll give the 4014 a workout with the dynamic brakes on the diesel. I'm just glad to see a 4000 operational again. 

Went and saw the engines for myself. Watched it go by under the C&S bridge. Seems like a successful rebuilding. The next stop was Laramie, and caught a few photos. Ted was the engineer on the 844, and of course Ed on the lead. They had a 45 minute station stop there to grease and check the bearings. One person there was checking the temperature of the bearings, and reported back to Ed on the radio all around 140 degrees. He gave a thumbs up so I guess they must have been within operating range. I got lucky and had a spot directly 10 feet away from the cab. Both Ted and Ed greeted me. What was funny, as they were getting ready to leave Laramie, Ed, shouted out a me with a grin and said quote 'Tell Wheelihan I said hi !'

Dennis Holler posted:

RickO posted:

p51 posted:

 (only that maybe I'd have made the run outbound without the diesel, just to prove to the world that the 4014 is doing all the work, but that's just me)...

Most folks don't know /don't care if its doing all of the work.  This was evident years ago with all of the videos and excitement when 4014 was dragged cold and dead. I imagine Ed will address any first run issues. but even if he didn't, as long as it rolls down the track with some smoke here and some steam there it doesn't really matter.

Note the testing of 3985 in this video.   Starting at 3:30. See the power of the exhaust, listen to the chuff, its WORKING, with 2 diesels in dynamic braking:

( Also note the lack of steam chest leakage)

Now watch 4014 again smoke is merely wafting out of the stack and note how the throttle is ramped up on the diesel :

 

Exactly, I hadn't found that video, but was doing the same thing, comparing to old BW video's of both engine's pulling and or running in the yard.  It seems pretty clear like you state, the BB is lipsyncing which would be unfortunate.  Hopefully, they it is actually capable of running under its own power at this point,

I think that a fairer comparison would be a video of the 3985's first runs after her original 1981 restoration.  Remember that the overhaul in 2008 she was in generally good running condition, not sitting for almost 60 years in a park like the 4014.  The last thing that the UP steam crew wants right now is a major failure of the 4014 less than a week away from the event that they wanted her to be ready for.

Stuart

What I find interesting is that the chain guard covers for the bicycle chains used for the front mechanical lubricators haven't been replaced.

Stuart

Somehow, we are forgetting to thank some people here.  The hundreds of people who originally built the route the BB is runnimg on now.  If it was not for them, both on the UP and CP sides, the job would not have gotten:  DONE.

Those people were largely Chinese and Irish immigrants.

The Great Race to Ogden • May 10th., Golden Spike Ceremony

Updated schedule…………………

The Great Race from Ogden – No. 844 and No. 4014

Following the 150th anniversary celebrations, No. 4014 and No. 844 will double-head on their return trip to the Union Pacific Steam Shop in Cheyenne, stopping in communities along the way including Rock Springs and Laramie, Wyoming.

Gary: Rail-fan & Model Railroader

My personal summary of these recent events: At age 76, I am grateful to those many skilled and hardworking UP employees and contractors who got this amazing machine working again, even if it is still in a test mode. Just seeing it move, however light it was working,  made me feel warm and wonderful! I have no doubt they will correct any glitches or gremlins, and the 4014 will once again truly blast down the mainline! Let All of us rejoice that this steam GIANT is running again, and we are here to witness it!

UP PR video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrqzaSDiM-A

 According to train they ran the big boy at 35 mph with the diesel in full dynamic break mod today.  4014 has about 300 mile under her belt and counting.

Just an observation in watching one of the many stop-and-go videos the 3985's tender being used out of convenience has only "UP" painted on the back. No corresponding locomotive number.  Perhaps indicating it's "short term" use.

THANK YOU SAMPARFITT for sharing that uplifting UP video release!  As the old song goes, "You've gotta accentuate the positive, Eliminate the negative, Latch on to the affirmative, Don't mess with Mister In-Between." - music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Johhny Mercer

C-Span covered the Big Boy restoration:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSG2v7uZjz4

Ed Dickens, for my money, is a very good spokesman for the project and the railroad.

Here in Chicago, News Radio 780, WBBM, just mentioned the restoration and first run of the "world's largest steam locomotive", number forty fourteen".  Of course it would be better expressed four thousand fourteen, but nice that it is getting national recognition, I am sure more media coverage will come. Hope CNBC and Bloomberg financial stations give a nod, too ! The investment world likes the Union Pacific.

Question:  To have a "race", don't you need TWO items to compete.

4014 and 844 were planned as two separate trains WB.  However, once the two are on the same train, should the term "Race" be eliminated?

Top Ten Highlights from the Union Pacific Railroad Video

“Bringing the Big Boy Back to Life”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...ature=em-uploademail

Gary: Rail-fan & Model Railroader

What a beautiful sight!   Thanks Union Pacific!

Gary this shot is west of Medicine Bow, Wyoming and at least 100 miles from Sherman Hill. 4014 and friends came up Main 3 the new bypass and was not on the Sherman Hill Line. If Trains identified that shot as Sherman Hill it was likely because like all of us we ALL got skunked by a pink and green double stack train at Dale Creek Junction , they were positioned behind us on the rocks  

(Correction “Medicine Bow and Rock River”)

Some shots from Saturday’s run to Rawlins