I have seen updates on other forums where the front wheel sets have been removed.
Enjoy!
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I'm really looking forward to seeing it run.
Those guys working in the "steam shop," is that their regular, full time job?
Matt
Matt01 posted:I'm really looking forward to seeing it run.
Those guys working in the "steam shop," is that their regular, full time job?
Matt
Yes.
I asked this question about the 844 work, and the now asking it about the BB, has UP brought in contractors for some of the work?
AmbBob posted:I asked this question about the 844 work, and the now asking it about the BB, has UP brought in contractors for some of the work?
They did in order to rush 844 to completion in time for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Special, this past July.
So odds are they will bring them in again I would imagine.
Hot Water posted:Matt01 posted:I'm really looking forward to seeing it run.
Those guys working in the "steam shop," is that their regular, full time job?
Matt
Yes.
Don't they also still operate the rotaries?
pennytrains posted:Hot Water posted:Matt01 posted:I'm really looking forward to seeing it run.
Those guys working in the "steam shop," is that their regular, full time job?
Matt
Yes.
Don't they also still operate the rotaries?
Well,,,,,,the big rotary is STILL assigned to the Cheyenne Steam Shop, however ALL the personnel that were qualified on its internal operation, maintenance, and repairs, are no longer with the Steam Shop. Thus, the rotary has NOT operated since prior to 2010, but then there hasn't been enough snow either. If and when the weather ever causes the need for the rotary to be used, it will become VERY INTERESTING there in Cheyenne.
To be clear, there is only one rotary at Cheyenne, and that is the big diesel powered machine that the UP built themselves in Omaha Shops, many years ago. The electric powered rotaries (three of them, as I recall), which require old F7B units totally rebuilt and modified, to provide DC electric power for the traction motors that turn the big wheel, are assigned to the former SP shops at Roseville, California. These are for use on Donner Pass when required.
Matt01 posted:..... Those guys working in the "steam shop," is that their regular, full time job? .....
I don't know if it has any effect on their compensation package from UP, but if you're into such things .... what a dream job for those guys. Working everyday getting this big 'ole engine good as new. Pretty cool.
My sons and I will see it run.
It would be cool seeing the big rotary running, too. I'll be in the Denver area late this month ...... 
To really appreciate the snow crews at Donner, view the old video from VideoRails/Pentrex "Battle for Donner Pass." Men and machine at there best.
This is today's U.P. Steam Shop, You Tube, Update, February 1, 2017.
Gary
Hot Water posted:AmbBob posted:I asked this question about the 844 work, and the now asking it about the BB, has UP brought in contractors for some of the work?
They did in order to rush 844 to completion in time for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Special, this past July.
Curious. What tasks did the contractors do?
Ed Dickens will be giving a presentation on the current status of the UP Steam Shop work on 844 and 4014 at the Rocky Mountain Train Show on Saturday March 4th, 2017 at the Denver Mart.
Union Pacific Steam Shop Crew, January 2017
Members of the Union Pacific Steam Team standing next to one of locomotive No. 4014's drivers are, from left, Machinist Garland Baker, Locomotive Fireman Kirt Clark, Boilermaker Don Crerar, Machinist Bruce Kirk, Boilermaker Jimmy Thompson and Foreman General 1 Austin Barker. Not pictured: Senior Manager - Heritage Operations Ed Dickens, Engineer Ted Schulte and Electrician Troy Plagge.
Gary
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Ia the UP "Steam Team" a UP budgeted and paid group or are they all/partially volunteer? Is there a completion schedule or yearly plan going forward? Is there a publicity group within the UP that follows the progress and, in some fashion, uses the steam program for publicity purposes? I ask these questions because I am so anxious to see this project come to a completion. I hope, one day, to see #3985, #844, and #4014 all running or steamed up together for photos.
Scrappy
The Union Pacific steam crew are paid employees.
Scrapiron Scher posted:Ia the UP "Steam Team" a UP budgeted and paid group or are they all/partially volunteer? Is there a completion schedule or yearly plan going forward? Is there a publicity group within the UP that follows the progress and, in some fashion, uses the steam program for publicity purposes? I ask these questions because I am so anxious to see this project come to a completion. I hope, one day, to see #3985, #844, and #4014 all running or steamed up together for photos.
Scrappy
Hi Scrappy: The group in this photo are a paid team, Union Pacific Railroad. 1400 Douglas St. Omaha, NE 68179. The 4014 project will take about two to three years.
The U.P. Steam Shop is located in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Hope this helps: Gary
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Scrapiron Scher posted:Ia the UP "Steam Team" a UP budgeted and paid group or are they all/partially volunteer?
All paid, and no longer any volunteers for the souvenir car, as THAT has been eliminated.
Is there a completion schedule or yearly plan going forward?
NOT for the public.
Is there a publicity group within the UP that follows the progress and, in some fashion, uses the steam program for publicity purposes?
Sort of, but that is all handled internally
I ask these questions because I am so anxious to see this project come to a completion. I hope, one day, to see #3985,
NOT going to happen under the current management team.
#844, and #4014 all running or steamed up together for photos.
Such an event with 844 and 4014 might be difficult at best with the limited size of the current crew and no potential use of qualified outside contractors, as was done back prior to 2010.
Scrappy
Yea .... seeing 844 and 4014 steaming together will be cool.
I've never really been much of a "railfan," but the UP steam program has really sparked my interest.
I hope detailed updates are provided in the future. While keeping an old machine running as good as possible is fun ..... restoration, including much fabrication, to make it like new, is what I more enjoy.
I noticed that the R1 driver had the tire worn hollow. I am surprised that this Big Boy was in the best shape!
Hudson5432 posted:I noticed that the R1 driver had the tire worn hollow. I am surprised that this Big Boy was in the best shape!
It actually wasn't.
Big Boy - 4014 Driver Wheel Set / January, 2017
"It was a moment of amazement," Ed Dickens said. (Senior Manager - Heritage Operations) “That level of disassembly hasn't been seen around here since the mid-1950s."
A 70-ton crane was used to pick up the boiler to remove the main drivers,
Gary: Rail-fan.
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"It was a moment of amazement," Ed Dickens said. (Senior Manager - Heritage Operations) “That level of disassembly hasn't been seen around here since the mid-1950s."
Good grief... 
Sweet... makes you want to roll up your sleeves boys!
I ask these questions because I am so anxious to see this project come to a completion. I hope, one day, to see #3985,
NOT going to happen under the current management team.
Never say never... I thought the 1361 would stay in a parts bin forever...
The best thing about the 4014 Restoration • It is making money for the OGR Forum and Magazine.
Just look up at the Ad Banner
You will find several of the sponsors selling the Union Pacific 4014: in, N, HO, O and Garden Rail.
Capitalism at it's best: Gary / Rail-fan 
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OGR Webmaster posted:"It was a moment of amazement," Ed Dickens said. (Senior Manager - Heritage Operations) “That level of disassembly hasn't been seen around here since the mid-1950s."Good grief...
Right. Guess he forgot about all the "disassembly" he was forced to do on 844 what with rod bearing problem, firebox problems caused by burning diesel fuel, and total boiler teardown as a result of lack of blowdowns and insufficient/proper boiler washes.
I'm pretty sure 844 is rebuilt from the ground up. I'm sure it took a bit longer than it would have taken HotWater and Rich to get to the same place. Bottom line is it made it from Cheyenne to Denver and back - twice and from Cheyenne to Tennessee and back all without incident. Now I know Ed is not Rich or HotWater's hero but he is rebuilding a BigBoy loco which if you think about it is a very big deal. This is a once in a lifetime big deal. I'm sorry if some of us are just a bit interested.
I suspect that 4014 will be done sooner than you expect.
Have fun! Back to your bashing!
Hot Water posted:Hudson5432 posted:I noticed that the R1 driver had the tire worn hollow. I am surprised that this Big Boy was in the best shape!
It actually wasn't.
Then if 4014 was not the one in the best shape which one was?
Tranz4mr posted:I'm pretty sure 844 is rebuilt from the ground up. I'm sure it took a bit longer than it would have taken HotWater and Rich to get to the same place. Bottom line is it made it from Cheyenne to Denver and back - twice and from Cheyenne to Tennessee and back all without incident. Now I know Ed is not Rich or HotWater's hero but he is rebuilding a BigBoy loco which if you think about it is a very big deal. This is a once in a lifetime big deal. I'm sorry if some of us are just a bit interested.
I suspect that 4014 will be done sooner than you expect.
Have fun! Back to your bashing!
Kent, thanks for your monthly updates--they are appreciated.
As for the bashing, some of those comments remind me of the Webmaster's remark concerning the recent comments concerning the "Spirit of Roanoke" signage on 611 to the effect that "railfans are their own worst enemies."
Tranz4mr posted:I'm pretty sure 844 is rebuilt from the ground up.
Yes, however the complete boiler rebuild with all new flues/tubes and firebox side sheets would NOT have been required beginning in 2013, if proper blowdowns and boiler washes had been performed regularly, not to mention the "swimming pool" boiler water treatment mess. Remember that 844 had already received a COMPLETE new firebox and TOTAL boiler rebuild during 2000 thru 2005.
Some of us would like to learn and enjoy 4014 Big Boy restoration on this OGR Website without getting ax dust sprayed continuously in our eyes. Surprised there is any ax left but PLEASE give it a rest on this steamer.
Dominic Mazoch posted:Hot Water posted:Hudson5432 posted:I noticed that the R1 driver had the tire worn hollow. I am surprised that this Big Boy was in the best shape!
It actually wasn't.
Then if 4014 was not the one in the best shape which one was?
Arguably it probably would have been 4023 in Omaha. The engine had a lot less miles on it along with a class 3 overhaul I believe in 1957 before being placed into storage in the roundhouse for a majority of the 1960's and 70's till 1975 when it was donated to Omaha. However Bob Kreiger said they (UP) used to run a steam line out to it in the late 70's to 80's and no idea if that did anything to its internals damage wise. I'm sure it would need a full restoration anyway however that will never happen now because of its location up on the hill at the Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE. Beautiful display though and well worth checking out.
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Steims posted:Some of us would like to learn and enjoy 4014 Big Boy restoration on this OGR Website without getting ax dust sprayed continuously in our eyes. Surprised there is any ax left but PLEASE give it a rest on this steamer.
The truth isn't always pretty, but one should never lose sight of it.
What happened to Steve Lee? Did he leave the UP? What has gone wrong with the UP steam program since he left? If that is a sore subject I apologize.
MJV1988 posted:Dominic Mazoch posted:Hot Water posted:Hudson5432 posted:I noticed that the R1 driver had the tire worn hollow. I am surprised that this Big Boy was in the best shape!
It actually wasn't.
Then if 4014 was not the one in the best shape which one was?
Arguably it probably would have been 4023 in Omaha. The engine had a lot less miles on it along with a class 3 overhaul I believe in 1957 before being placed into storage in the roundhouse for a majority of the 1960's and 70's till 1975 when it was donated to Omaha. However Bob Kreiger said they (UP) used to run a steam line out to it in the late 70's to 80's and no idea if that did anything to its internals damage wise. I'm sure it would need a full restoration anyway however that will never happen now because of its location up on the hill at the Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE. Beautiful display though and well worth checking out.
If I remember correctly, quite a few of 4023's parts were "fakes" that were installed when they removed the working parts for use on 3985.
pennytrains posted:MJV1988 posted:Dominic Mazoch posted:Hot Water posted:Hudson5432 posted:I noticed that the R1 driver had the tire worn hollow. I am surprised that this Big Boy was in the best shape!
It actually wasn't.
Then if 4014 was not the one in the best shape which one was?
Arguably it probably would have been 4023 in Omaha. The engine had a lot less miles on it along with a class 3 overhaul I believe in 1957 before being placed into storage in the roundhouse for a majority of the 1960's and 70's till 1975 when it was donated to Omaha. However Bob Kreiger said they (UP) used to run a steam line out to it in the late 70's to 80's and no idea if that did anything to its internals damage wise. I'm sure it would need a full restoration anyway however that will never happen now because of its location up on the hill at the Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE. Beautiful display though and well worth checking out.
If I remember correctly, quite a few of 4023's parts were "fakes" that were installed when they removed the working parts for use on 3985.
Penny,
Appliances and "parts" are essentially inconsequential when it comes to an extensive overhaul/restoration. The key components are; the running gear machinery, the basic boiler and firebox steel integrity, and frame components. Piping and appliances are VERY easy to rebuild or replace.
Yeah, but my only point I guess would be that 4014 had more originals.
pennytrains posted:Yeah, but my only point I guess would be that 4014 had more originals.
As compared to the OTHER 4000 class locomotives in museums and parks? Not so.
Steims posted:Some of us would like to learn and enjoy 4014 Big Boy restoration on this OGR Website without getting ax dust sprayed continuously in our eyes. Surprised there is any ax left but PLEASE give it a rest on this steamer.
Ain't going to happen. Just ignore them. We all know from the 844 saga here, the "experts" are full of baloney.
Happy Railroading.
EBT Jim posted:Steims posted:Some of us would like to learn and enjoy 4014 Big Boy restoration on this OGR Website without getting ax dust sprayed continuously in our eyes. Surprised there is any ax left but PLEASE give it a rest on this steamer.
Ain't going to happen. Just ignore them. We all know from the 844 saga here, the "experts" are full of baloney.
Happy Railroading.
Really? You mean that the current manager didn't flatten the drive wheels on 844? And he was NOT the cause of all the mud/concrete in the boiler of 844, which subsequently required a COMPLETE disassembly of the boiler components?
