The 4014 is perfectly capable of moving unassisted, with tremendous power.
But for some reason they always have a diesel behind it doing most of the work.
@Rich Melvin posted:The 4014 is perfectly capable of moving unassisted, with tremendous power.
But for some reason they always have a diesel behind it doing most of the work.
Correct, plus the diesel unit MU'ed behind the auxiliary water tenders, has all the required PTC electronics to support the PTC computer screen in the cab of 4014.
@mark s posted:Big Boy was designed to run at speeds up to 80 MPH.
My objection to the term "beast" is that it implies ugliness - I do not find 4014 to be ugly. I note that the majority of commentors appear to be on the younger side, so do not have a refined perspective on how great the 4000's were. A shame, but time marches on.
First: the term is not about its looks, but rather about it's awesome power.
Second: I was born in '62, so I'm not that young
Third: "Beast" is not being used in a pejorative or disparaging way here: See number 1 above
Fourth: From an English Language Usage Guide: "a powerful machine or piece of equipment"
@EscapeRocks posted:First: the term is not about its looks, but rather about it's awesome power.
Right!
Second: I was born in '62, so I'm not that young
WOW! June 1962,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,that's when I started working for EMD.
Third: "Beast" is not being used in a pejorative or disparaging way here: See number 1 above
Fourth: From an English Language Usage Guide: "a powerful machine or piece of equipment"
I also have seen 4014 up close and personal when my wife and I traveled to West Chicago (pic) with our son and his family who were living in Waukegan at the time. We then headed out to catch it to photograph and video it while running. Something I observed then and in many viewings of other folks video is that the rear cylinders don't seem to leak like the front ones due. On the front cylinders, piston rod, valve rod, you can see steam escaping, but on the rears not a wisp.
I had to add another pic of 4014 heading to Rochelle, ILL. We set up just beyond a highway crossing east of Rochelle, it was really on the wrong side of the tracks photo wise due to the sun, but turned out to be the only side of the tracks. There was a pretty good crowd on both sides of the crossing, and about 5 minutes before 4014 got there, a east bound freight with about 17 locomotives up front, dead heading mostly I'm sure, came down the south track headed for West Chicago. It was probably a 3 mile train of all kinds of cars, and it completely blocked any view the crowd on the south side of the crossing had of 4014 and consist. About the time the freight finally cleared the crossing, the last car in the 4014 consist had crossed it and was headed for Rochelle.
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@Mike0289 posted:Thanks for the kind words, everyone! This thread went "off the rails" a little bit - I definitely did not intend to ruffle feathers with my word choice and I think it was clear I meant no disrespect to #4014.
Seeing the Big Boy is a memory I'll cherish for the rest of my life!
You didn’t ruffle any feathers. The thread went off the rails “a lot of bit” and continues to do so all on its own. They can’t help themselves when it comes to “who has the biggest … [knowledge of UP steam]”. Throw the current steam managers name out there and really watch the powder keg explode. Sorry they hijacked your thread.
You and your son had a great day visiting with 4014 and I’m glad you did! From the look on his face, I doubt he cares about any of the noise being tossed around - nor should he! It was a fun day!
Should the 4014 have a problem on the MAIN LINE where it runs, the diesel can push it to its destination or a close-by siding. We had the head of the UP Steam team speak to us at the O Scale National last year in Denver. He stated that the diesel is hardly ever started.
Dick.
@CBQer posted:Should the 4014 have a problem on the MAIN LINE where it runs, the diesel can push it to its destination or a close-by siding. We had the head of the UP Steam team speak to us at the O Scale National last year in Denver. He stated that the diesel is hardly ever started.
Dick.
That makes sense.
@CBQer posted:Should the 4014 have a problem on the MAIN LINE where it runs, the diesel can push it to its destination or a close-by siding. We had the head of the UP Steam team speak to us at the O Scale National last year in Denver. He stated that the diesel is hardly ever started.
Dick.
The statement that the "diesel is hardly ever started" is totally untrue!
Good grief! Give thanks that people take their kids and introduce them to the "romance" of steam and railroading, for those that follow us are who will be challenged to preserve that history and our interest. I hope more do and the memory remains. I worked with a guy who was restoring a horse drawn buggy. He had to go to the Amish, lucky to find skills and knowledge and interest! preserved.
@Rich Melvin posted:No. Always has diesels shoving it.
Rich, I have a lot of respect for you and your railroad knowledge. I even bought 2 copies of your book, one that I read cover to cover in 2 sittings and the second as a Christmas gift for a friend. However, I need to call BS on this myth that you feel you need to continue to perpetuate. There are people that speculate on why you do it, I don't care about that.
You use the word, "always," and I'm sure you know, as well as I do, that's not, "always," true. With my own eyes, I have the pictures to prove it and I'm sure there's video out there as well, I saw 4014 run up to the depot in Duluth, MN under her own power without diesel, or the rest of the consist, attached. Does the diesel sometimes assist? I can't dispute that. I believe UP is on record as saying that it sometimes does. But 4014 is both capable of and has operated under her own power, and, admittedly it's a guess, likely frequently does.
The issue I take with your repeated statement that she's, "always," shoved by a diesel is that it gives the impression that the restoration is somehow flawed or that she's incapable of doing so. Why not be friendly to this achievement by at least suggesting in your comments that she doesn't, "need," the diesel, whatever other issues you may have.
@Hotwater , you may include yourself in the above.
Byrdie,
Since the addition of the PTC system on 4014 (2020/2021?) she will ALWAYS have the PTC "mother" diesel coupled behind the auxiliary water tenders. Plus, that diesel will ALWAYS be running and lightly used, but worked harder as needed.
