Thihgs have been quiet for a while. For all those readers that don't do Facebook.
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Has it been a month already? I'm hoping for the best and we see her soon.
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Thanks Jim.
There is a link to a lottery for tickets to ride. "Due to popular demand, we have implemented a lottery system to request tickets. We have also established ticket limits." Good luck to all who enter.
This is the first time I've seen a public commitment by the UP steam crew to a specific date for 844 to return to action. A lot of people including senior management will be looking to see if UP will be getting a return on their public relations investment in the steam program. I suspect the pressure from Omaha is on big time. This will be very interning to watch. Purely from a steam railfan's perspective I hope they succeed.
This astounds me! I thought both 844 and 3985 were nowhere near being ready to run??
Terry Danks posted:This astounds me! I thought both 844 and 3985 were nowhere near being ready to run??
I guess it depends of you definition of "..near being ready to run".
Hot Water posted:Terry Danks posted:This astounds me! I thought both 844 and 3985 were nowhere near being ready to run??
I guess it depends of you definition of "..near being ready to run".
So how far along is it?
MartyE posted:Hot Water posted:Terry Danks posted:This astounds me! I thought both 844 and 3985 were nowhere near being ready to run??
I guess it depends of you definition of "..near being ready to run".
So how far along is it?
In my opinion, based on the actual photos of 844, she is at least 3 to 4 months away from making a "test run".
Concerning the 3985; since nobody even works on her any more, and she is now also due her FRA mandated 15 year boiler inspection, I would estimate at least one year from if/when they ever start on her.
John Rimmasch, who actually does this work for a living, says MINIMUM120 days away from actually pulling a train. With the current manger's obsession with "perfection" I can't see how they do it in much less time, and again, this assumes that there are no malfunctions, which is probably WAY too optimistic. Even the experts usually have a few glitches on a major overhaul. One leak in the wrong spot could blow the schedule up completely.
Thanks guys. When is the festival it is said to be going to? July? Seems a bit ambitious but good luck to them.
MartyE posted:Thanks guys. When is the festival it is said to be going to? July? Seems a bit ambitious but good luck to them.
Not a "festival", but the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days Special, sponsored by the Denver Post Newspaper. The UP has been handling a special passenger train from Denver to the opening day ceremonies of the nation's, if not the world's, oldest & longest running rodeo, from Denver to Cheyenne, and return in the late afternoon. I think the UP has been operating such a train since before WWII, and since the 1960s, they have generally tried to have a steam locomotive as part of the motive power.
After reading the article a second time and looking at the photo, I believe the photo isn't indicative of its current state of assembly. It must be further along as it was stated that most of the piping was in place. The assembly of the cab, from what I've seen done on other locomotives, shouldn't be major as it is dropped into place and reattached. Of course there's a lot of work to get things hooked up properly inside.
The timing is of interest as they have only approx. 70 days remaining. Is it possible they've expanded on the size of the crew working on it and running multiple shifts to get it done on time?
Personally I'm hoping for the best as it would be nice to get this project done with and then turn their attention to working on the next. Also hopefully, the crew has learned their lesson in terms of how to properly run and maintain the locomotive for optimum performance and longevity of service.
Just to clarify my earlier post, Mr. Rimmasch's time table was 120 AFTER the engine passed a FRA certified hydro test, and he stated that standard practice is to do one for yourself first to make sure you're ready for the one that counts. If 844 had passed even the FIRST hydro test, I'm quite sure they would be shouting it from the rooftops. As for extra shifts and stuff, unless they are bringing in outside contractors, (which would be news to me), I don't think they are in a position where they could just bring in extra help OR work too much OT because of union work rules. If a volunteer group wanted to work guys 20 hours a day to get an engine running, I suppose they could, but I don't think UP has that luxury.
Dieselbob posted:.... As for extra shifts and stuff, unless they are bringing in outside contractors, (which would be news to me), ....
Who are you?
Thanks
Matt Ryan
Just an interested observer with a mechanical background who collects information from every source I can, and have established a few back channel contacts here and there in the railroad world. I am far from being a steam engine expert, but some of the people I converse with ARE.
I have to take exception to the "120 day rule" as has been posted here and elsewhere.
NKP 765 just completed a successful hydro yesterday, May 11, 2016. This is after all new flues and tubes were replaced this winter. Some firebox patches were also installed. The initial steam-up is scheduled for May 31 - just 20 days later. About 7 days after that, we'll be doing an initial test run. And about 7 days after that, we'll begin our 2016 season, deadheading to Chicago. That's just over 30 days from hydro to operating.
Unless there is a LOT more work to be done on 844 than there was on 765, I don't see why it would take 120 days between the hydro and operating.
OGR Webmaster posted:I have to take exception to the "120 day rule" as has been posted here and elsewhere.
NKP 765 just completed a successful hydro yesterday, May 11, 2016. This is after all new flues and tubes were replaced this winter. Some firebox patches were also installed. The initial steam-up is planned for May 31 - just 20 days later. About 7 days after that, we'll be doing an initial test run. And about 7 days after that, we'll begin our 2016 season, deadheading to Chicago. That's just over 30 days from hydro to operating.
Unless there is a LOT more work to be done on 844 than there was on 765, I don't see why it would take 120 days between the hydro and operating.
Rich,
Yes, there is a LOT MORE WORK to be done on 844! For example, the entire back-head is virtually stripped of all piping & gauges, the cab is off (which involved chopping off the cable for the entire cab signal system), the firepan is completely removed, the number 4 driver is removed, all the side rods are removed, and finally repairs to the baffling inside the tender must be completed.
Cheyenne Frontier Days
The Denver Post is the sponsor for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Train. Their logo artwork shows the 844 Ready to go. Tickets are sold out but The Denver Post is having a lottery to receive tickets.
Below is the artwork.
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OGR Webmaster posted:I have to take exception to the "120 day rule" as has been posted here and elsewhere.
NKP 765 just completed a successful hydro yesterday, May 11, 2016. This is after all new flues and tubes were replaced this winter. Some firebox patches were also installed. The initial steam-up is scheduled for May 31 - just 20 days later. About 7 days after that, we'll be doing an initial test run. And about 7 days after that, we'll begin our 2016 season, deadheading to Chicago. That's just over 30 days from hydro to operating.
Unless there is a LOT more work to be done on 844 than there was on 765, I don't see why it would take 120 days between the hydro and operating.
I don't have the chops to argue with either you OR Mr. Rimmasch, but my guess is that on 765 you guys only removed what was absolutely necessary to do the tube and flue job on a perfectly functioning locomotive, there was no collateral damage from poor practices, AND your people have experience from the last overhaul. I don't think ANY of those apply to the Cheyenne gang. Ed has been taking just about every last nut and bolt apart on 844 trying to fix EVERYTHING, including stuff that didn't need fixing. Who knows if they actually remember how to put it all back together?
Between the remaining number of days and the work that some state needs to be done, and the UP advertising the math isn't adding up. Somewhere there is some misconception as to the state of the repairs/assembly of the locomotive.
Why would UP go to these lengths to sell steam tickets if they weren't certain of a successful completion of the restoration? I believe we are not privy to what is really the current status.
Has anyone here on the forum bought tickets?
Allegheny posted:Between the remaining number of days and the work that some state needs to be done, and the UP advertising the math isn't adding up. Somewhere there is some misconception as to the state of the repairs/assembly of the locomotive.
Right. The executives in Omaha have NO CLUE about the "issues" that have been going on in Cheyenne, since 2011, nor could they care.
Why would UP go to these lengths to sell steam tickets if they weren't certain of a successful completion of the restoration?
The Union Pacific is NOT "selling steam tickets"!!!! The Denver Post Newspaper leases/sponsors the Cheyenne Frontier Days Special, and THEY sell the tickets.
I believe we are not privy to what is really the current status.
You might not be.
Then something is not adding up... per the latest announcement On the UP Inside Track:
After a 2-year absence, the Living Legend No. 844 returns to service July 23 for the 2016 Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days train trip.
“For the past three years, we’ve used E-9 locomotives to pull the Denver Special,” said Ed Dickens, manager of heritage operations, referring to UP’s Streamliner diesel-electrics. “The E-9 locomotives are a crowd pleaser, but I think we can all agree that there’s nothing quite like a steam locomotive.”
The steam team currently is wrapping up reassembly of No. 844 after extensive restoration work. The required inspections are scheduled, and the team has its eyes set on break-in runs that lie ahead in the near future.
“Once we have all the regulatory documentation in place that allows us to run again, we’ll take her on a shake-down run,” Dickens said. “We know we have to do a bit of work on the running gear, so that will be our opportunity to confirm that all those new parts fit and work the way they’re supposed to.”
Since the last steam update, the steam team has reassembled nearly all the locomotive’s piping. “We still have some additional piping left to reassemble. We'll put that back on after the test, coordinated with the Federal Railroad Administration, is complete,” Dickens said.
The cab will then be reassembled along with the exterior jacketing – the painted part on the outside of the locomotive. “Once we’re there, it’ll go quick, but until then we’ve got our work cut out for us,” Dickens said. “This is the final push. We all understand how important it is.”
Be among the lucky few who will ride in the passenger train accompanying locomotive No. 844 for her debut trip July 23. Reservation requests are being accepted at www.cfdtrain.com through 7 p.m. MT Wednesday, May 18. Winners will be randomly selected using a lottery system.
Not outright purchased but my family is in the lottery for tickets. All advertisement has been for steam.
I wonder if anyone will request a refund if there is no steam locomotive on the head-end?
Hot Water posted:I wonder if anyone will request a refund if there is no steam locomotive on the head-end?
Thus my point... I know I would.
J Daddy posted:Hot Water posted:I wonder if anyone will request a refund if there is no steam locomotive on the head-end?
Thus my point... I know I would.
But, don't forget the "fine print" about "equipment subject to change", sometimes at the last minute.
Imagine if you drove a few hours to see it as well... and a set of new diesels are at the head end...
Cheyenne Frontier Days • VIP LUXURY EXPERIENCE • Check out the price per ticket.
Gary - $1200 each
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Yes but, that includes admittance to the opening day ceremonies at the rodeo, plus a "chuck wagon lunch" at the rodeo, plus all the food and drink (including 'adult beverages' ) you can handle on the return trip back to Denver. Over the years, the vast majority of the passengers could care less about the "historic motive power" pulling the train. In fact back in 1999, after both 844 and 3985 were sidelined for boiler tube inspections after the California State Railroad Museum "1999 RailFair", not one passenger commented about "Why no steam engine?". The folks that attend big time, world famous rodeos, are all about; their new hat, their new boots, and their new silver belt buckle!
Well we have at least 2 more months and 2 more threads to see if she makes it to the rodeo.
MartyE posted:Well we have at least 2 more months and 2 more threads to see if she makes it to the rodeo.
Right, but what is interesting in all that press release BS is, absolutely NO MENTION of the previous commitment to have 844 on display at the College World Series in Omaha, next month.
J Daddy posted:Imagine if you drove a few hours to see it as well... and a set of new diesels are at the head end...
Train fans would be ticked, but probably not the masses who ride this.
Jack is right in that regard; most riders could care less of what's on the head end, just as long as they get there with no problems.
J Daddy posted:Hot Water posted:I wonder if anyone will request a refund if there is no steam locomotive on the head-end?
Thus my point... I know I would.
Would I be disappointed? You bet.
Request a refund and cancel the trip? No way!
Hot Water posted:The folks that attend big time, world famous rodeos, are all about; their new hat, their new boots, and their new silver belt buckle!
Funny, but not surprising. I would think that any rail fan on this trip would be regarded as an interloper.
Well, how ARE the e units and the DDA40X? I would love to ride behind the 6900 class ocomotive!
Dominic Mazoch posted:Well, how ARE the e units and the DDA40X? I would love to ride behind the 6900 class ocomotive!
Those are the units that have powered the CFD Special the last two years.
Wonder if Ed is going to re-install the warning light that he removed about 2011.
