Cab Ride in Big Boy 4014 the World's Largest Operating Steam Locomotive auction ended yesterday with a winner at $21,000.00. Anybody here on OGR Forum 1 of the 87 unsuccessful bidders?
Walter
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@Walter Matuch posted:Cab Ride in Big Boy 4014 the World's Largest Operating Steam Locomotive auction ended yesterday with a winner at $21,000.00. Anybody here on OGR Forum 1 of the 87 unsuccessful bidders?
Walter
Recent reports have it that the "winning bidder" did it as a joke, and is incapable of paying. Wonder ho the "management" at eBay will deal with THAT, not to mention all the bad publicity over that whole ridiculous "fund raiser" for the museum?
I wasn't aware of any hoopla over the fund raiser. Could someone please point me to where the discussion was being held?
@Hot Water posted:Recent reports have it that the "winning bidder" did it as a joke, and is incapable of paying. Wonder ho the "management" at eBay will deal with THAT, not to mention all the bad publicity over that whole ridiculous "fund raiser" for the museum?
If the winner backs out. Second highest bid gets the option to "win".
I wonder how much that is, 20k?
@Allegheny posted:I wasn't aware of any hoopla over the fund raiser. Could someone please point me to where the discussion was being held?
The hoopla happened on a private Facebook group that those who do not have an account cannot access it.
Hot Water is right on joke part.
@RickO posted:If the winner backs out. Second highest bid gets the option to "win".
I wonder how much that is, 20k?
20k was the second highest; just checked out the listing.
Also a side note, someone on the same private Facebook group did a joke and placed a bid of 69k but retracted it shortly after. Yikes!
I saw the whole event unfold as I'm a part of the group; I cannot share anything as it would violate ToS.
@Nathan B posted:... 20k was the second highest; just checked out the listing. ...
Hi Nathan
I see a winning bid of $21.1k, with one bid retraction at the listing. Second highest bid is $21k. Am I looking at something wrong?
And to think, I got my 100 mile cab ride in the 844 for the cost of a few 11x14 prints. I like my deal better.
@Nathan B posted:I cannot share anything as it would violate ToS.
\Whose TOS's? OGR''s or Facebook's?
Mike
If they really wanted to raise funds, I think this was the wrong way to go about it. Imagine if they had decided to do a drawing where every individual donation to the museum (for a specified time period) of $25 gets an entry into the drawing -- they are a 501(c)3 after all. Do you think that there are at least 1000 people willing to pony up $25 for a chance like this? And are there those out there that would make multiple donations to increase their odds? I know it would have been a little more work for the museum, but I think they could have raised a lot more money this way vs. an auction where only those with "well-above-average" means have a chance.
Andy
That's a lot of money just to get shoved around by a couple of diesels... 
That's wild but I get it. I have paid shocking amounts of money for old Youngstown items. Not quite1% of that winning bid but I know people would be rolling eyes knowing I spent $60 on an invoice from 1928 just because of the companies on the invoice haha
@Nathan B posted:...snip... I saw the whole event unfold as I'm a part of the group; I cannot share anything as it would violate ToS.
Uh, if you can't say anything, then don't mention it at all!
@CNJ Jim posted:Hi Nathan
I see a winning bid of $21.1k, with one bid retraction at the listing. Second highest bid is $21k. Am I looking at something wrong?
No that was me; I looking at it wrong.
@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:\Whose TOS's? OGR''s or Facebook's?
Mike
It would be OGR's... foul language.
@PRRMP54 posted:Uh, if you can't say anything, then don't mention it at all!
He was confirming the story to the best of his ability consistent with this Forum's and/or Facebook's rules. I for one am glad someone confirmed it was a joke.
Since the topic of using a Big Boy cab ride in a legitimate way for fund raising has come up, it caused me tithing of two things:
- As far as I know, the engine is not a non-profit entity. Who actually owns it? UPRR? Anyway, the railroad operates it and they don't need fundraisers for it.
- Encouraging high rollers into a bidding war would open a door that would never again close. Selling chances to support a real charity like United Way might work, but there is almost no benefit for the railroad in that.
The fundraiser was for the museum which has 501c status.
That cab ride is not under the loco's own power? Phooey! (Of course, l might wonder if it costs $25K to prepare it to move from storage). Dunno if the 44 tonner in Ft. Wayne, Ind. still offers a chance to run it around the yard, for a "few" shillings less. And after pandemic, is the eastern Nevada narrow gauge still offering cab rides in steamer?
I suppose the diesel assistance is for backup and to ease the load on an engine that cost a small fortune to move and rebuild. When I just saw it, it was certainly under steam. Just how much assistance I could not tell. One SD 70 M was behind the tender. There were not a COUPLE of diesels as mentioned above. I will tell you one thing, the crowd of people were thrilled to see the steamer, of course we are from Nebraska.
@wb47 posted:I suppose the diesel assistance is for backup and to ease the load on an engine that cost a small fortune to move and rebuild. When I just saw it, it was certainly under steam. Just how much assistance I could not tell. One SD 70 M was behind the tender. There were not a COUPLE of diesels as mentioned above. I will tell you one thing, the crowd of people were thrilled to see the steamer, of course we are from Nebraska.
For what it's worth, that diesel coupled behind the auxiliary water tenders provides the majority of the PTC control electronics in order for the 4014 to be compliant under FRA PTC main line operations. There is also a PTC computer display in the cab of 4014 for the Engineer and Pilot Engineer.
I have worked around stationary steam engines and steam tractors for many years so I know a little about steam. When 4014 came through Pacific Missouri they throttled down as they came over the horizon and when they got close to the crowd they opened her up. What a sight and the ONE diesel wasn’t pushing much if any for that pass.
I was waiting for this issue to come up and it didn’t take long or disappoint. Days that we could see Challenger 3985 pulling a long freight unassisted are long gone. Whether it’s PTC, 4014 not firing well with oil or what have (I have no clue I’m only in my arm chair). The hope of really seeing 4014 bark under full load is never really going to happen I fear. 4014 for the most part is a show piece, a sight to behold none the less and better than nothing I guess. So enjoy it could go away tomorrow under new leadership at UP.
You're right, Gary,
These days are long gone...and will likely never return.
Here's UP Challenger 3985 on Archer Hill, at track speed with 143 cars and no diesel. Steve Lee is at the throttle.
Thanks for that video Rich. If that doesn't make a person's heart beat a little faster nothing will.
Latest news, with an odd, but maybe not unexpected, turn of events reported at that:
After Auction Snafu, UP to Sell Two Tickets Aboard ‘Big Boy’ | Railfan & Railroad Magazine
Mike
Well, UP is either selling 2 tickets, or, auctioning off 2 tickets. They are mutually exclusive situations, and the headline and body of the linked story don’t jibe! 😳😳😳
@superwarp1 posted:The hope of really seeing 4014 bark under full load is never really going to happen I fear. 4014 for the most part is a show piece, a sight to behold none the less and better than nothing I guess.
Maybe it is barking Gary, just hard to hear with Ed hanging on the whistle the whole time.
@Rich Melvin posted:You're right, Gary,
These days are long gone...and will likely never return.
Here's UP Challenger 3985 on Archer Hill, at track speed with 143 cars and no diesel. Steve Lee is at the throttle.
I was just going to post this Rich, thanks. Now that’s a engine barking at speed. Better yet here’s 765 barking. When 4014 is huffing and puffing like this then I’ll be impressed
I would agree that a raffle would be a better method to do a fundraiser. The Bob Moog foundation did a raffle for a 1972 professionally refurbished Minimoog synthesizer signed by Geddy Lee of Rush. The offered 10,000 tickets at $25 each. A one in 10,000 chance of winning a really unique piece of history for every ticket for an item roughly valued at $10,000 and the gross proceeds were $250K minus costs.
That's the way to do fundraising. I purchased a losing ticket, but was happy to support a cause I am passionate about for $25.
My 2 cents.
@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:Latest news, with an odd, but maybe not unexpected, turn of events reported at that:
After Auction Snafu, UP to Sell Two Tickets Aboard ‘Big Boy’ | Railfan & Railroad Magazine
Both $9500 tickets were promptly sold after they went on sale. Other ways in the past ... UP has priced many people out of things.
What a shame the Class 1s don't let these engines run. Find ways to make it work. These trains are such an important part of our American history. UP should facilitate 4014 and Dickens going all over the system.
I'd sure love to see, or ride, a steam-powered train rounding Horseshoe Curve. That sure doesn't look too promising.
As time marches on, all the medical advances keep us healthier longer ... but we keep losing parts of Americana.
@CNJ Jim posted:…I'd sure love to see, or ride, a steam-powered train rounding Horseshoe Curve. That sure doesn't look too promising.
Back in the 2012-2015 era, NKP 765 went around Horseshoe Curve over twenty times! You weren’t paying attention. 😉
@superwarp1 posted:I was just going to post this Rich, thanks. Now that’s a engine barking at speed. Better yet here’s 765 barking. When 4014 is huffing and puffing like this then I’ll be impressed
4014 woukdn't even need to pull 143 cars to "bark". Heres 3985 simply pulling the UP passenger train under hard acceleration.
Notice how the " barking" can still be heard when 3985 is what 2,3, or more miles away from the camera? (Most videos are a drifting 4014, or a slight chuff right in front of the camera if you can hear even it between whistling.)
Note the throttle increase at :24 (Not my video):
@Rich Melvin posted:Back in the 2012-2015 era, NKP 765 went around Horseshoe Curve over twenty times! You weren’t paying attention. 😉
I ... never say never ... but, do you think it may ever happen again?
@CNJ Jim posted:
I ... never say never ... but, do you think it may ever happen again?
No.
Well, then, I did something that will probably never happen again, rode behind 765 over Horseshoe Curve. That was a long excursion. NS seems to have zero interest in steam excursions now. That was Wick Moorman's thing, and he left NS for Amtrak then retired. Jim Squires was CEO for a few years, now it's Alan Shaw who seems like just another all business, no fun CEO who just wants to move freight and make a profit. NS still allows ferry moves though. They escorted 611 from Leaman Place back to Roanoke and will be escorting it again this fall to Staunton for the excursions on Virginia Scenic Railway. And they escort 765 every year so that it can operate on other railroads.
