UP Big Boy on the Move in Texas

Man, I'd like to be in the area to see that.  To view the one on static display in Steamtown is awesome, but to see one moving..........

I live about 20 minutes away from it's current location (Fair Park).  I'll take plenty of pictures and videos.  Actually, I'm headed out the door to go look...

Why are these engines being moved?

Michael - in a small nutshell, Fair Park just didn't want them anymore.  The city of Frisco stepped up to the plate in a huge way!  There's more to the story, I'd love to go into it, but I won't cut and paste a bunch of stuff here.  It can be googled.

Actually, here's a sample of some of what's gone on.  This article is from 2010:

 http://www.dallasnews.com/news...tangle-over-4620.ece

Sounds like big bucks to save this stuff.  Is there a bright future in Frisco?  Thanks for the links.

The Dallas museum was way too crowded anyway.

That's good to hear. Word is that the Los Angeles Big Boy will be able to move under its own power in about six years (and six million dollars) according to the group that owns it. They confirmed that it's going to be restored and converted to an oil-burner. The move is supposed to start in the fall after the Los Angeles County Fair (it's at the Fairgrounds near the West parking lot.) Interestingly enough, the load per axle on a Big Boy is actually lower than a modern six-axle diesel.

Matt, if you believe that story, I've got some ocean-front property in Kansas you might be interested in. 

Not gonna happen...

Darn... too bad I'm going to miss seeing that move.  I've always wanted to go to that museum.  I'm glad it's able to relocate the entire collection (are historic structures going, too?) to ensure it's continued existence.

Aaron

Aaron - yes, the structures also went.  

"Dallas' planned use for the 1.2-acre site is fairly basic.

Daniel Huerta, general manager of Fair Park, said current plans are to level the site for use during the State Fair of Texas.

At other times, it could be used for parking ..."

Don't it always seem to go,
That you don't know what you've got till it's gone.

I'm looking forward to seeing the new site in Frisco. The last time I was at Fair Park (years ago now), I was amazed that a great big state like Texas wouldn't have more space to display a fine museum collection.

You know I have been in the automotive industry along time, never thought I would see electric cars... "Never thought I would see an elephant fly!"

The only thing I know is "Never say Never"

Glad to see Frisco stepped up.

Chris

According to the museum website the move of the engine has been delayed due to a derailment somewhere on the route.

No new date has been announced.

Yep (from their Facebook page):
 Due to a derailment on one of the rail lines along the route, Sunday's movement of the Museum's "Big Boy" steam locomotive #4018 has been cancelled. We will post a new move date once it is established. We regret any inconvenience this may cause to our stakeholders and supporters. We are very appreciative of all the efforts put forth by the local railroads as we continue to move the collection from Dallas to Frisco.

Thank you, Windsplitter for the heads up.

Indeed, Joni. A sickness we have - remove something interesting, and replace it with a layer of asphalt.

The rumor mill over here said something about the Challenger getting axed... is that right?  

So much for the rumor last year about UP STEAM restoring a Big Boy! 

Not sure what you mean by "the Challenger getting axed..", but no work has been done on #3985 for at least 2 years. The "current manager" has had his hand full to 844, personnel issues, and besides, he doesn't like the 3985 anyway and has stated a number of time that "So long as he is in charge, the 3985 will never operate again!".

So, in a way,,,,,,the Challenger has ALREADY been "axed"!

The Big Boy at Fair Park in Dallas, awaiting the move.

Another shot of the Big Boy. The white masking is in place for painting the lettering and numbering, I believe.

Wow, talk about one of the greatest steam programs going to h*&^. As they say, nothing lasts forever I suppose.

So... the head of the steam program hates the steam program?  Yup, I miss Steve Lee.

No, I didn't say that, nor did I imply THAT. The new manager just doesn't like 3985, since he would much rather become even more famous by operating a 4000 class locomotive!

Ah, so is this a personal ego thing then?

From people who know him, it certainly appears that way, since the 3985 was VERY closely associated with Steve Lee. The current manager seems to want to "make his own name" in the steam world.

I found some video of the "event", insert chuff sounds.

I'd like to become famous operating a steam locomotive that no longer exists!  Not to worry, folks...my imagination is greased and ready to kick #$$%%(&*@$% !!!!

The area where they ran the Big Boy back and forth for testing is the old Texas and Pacific Dallas yard (years ago, part of the roundhouse was still there). Just a long single track left now, and a few of the old light towers. Some of the running gear has been removed from the Big Boy, and the cylinders have been cut. This will be what is referred to as a "hospital move" at about 10 mph when they move it to the new museum facility, about 55 rail miles for the route they're taking.

Now that is just pathetic. 

Chris

When dealing with a disgruntled former employee/volunteer shouldn't things be taken with a grain of salt?

So just who do you think is either a former employee/volunteer, or who is "disgruntled"? Are you even aware that EVERY SINGLE UP EMPLOYEE from the previous Steam Crew is now GONE? They either quit the railroad outright, or resigned from the Steam Crew and exercised their seniority in order to return to their previous job, or bid off the Steam Crew to another Mechanical Dept. position, or was removed from service by the Medical Doctor as a result of extreme job stress. Even one of the newer men, the Boilermaker, was removed from service for insubordination (the guy wanted to weld per the current NBIC code requirements, but the new manager wanted it welded HIS way).

With diesels, you can be trained to run or work on them via simulators and/or hands on.  Lots of institutional knowledge there.

YOU DON'T HAVE THAT WITH STEAM WHEN ALL THE OLDER WORKERS GO AWAY!  And you can't put people in the simulator to train them to run the engines.  (You could, but would UP set it up for a couple of steamers

It seemed odd when 844 was here in Houston, it seemed there were a lot of younger people on her.  Did not think of it at the time as an internal problem.

Does Omaha know about this? 

The issue in play here is not training people to run the engine.

It is the knowledge and experience in maintaining and repairing the locomotive that may have have been lost in the shuffle.

This is unbelievable to read.  So how are these "new" guys being trained and by whom?  Seems like an extremely huge loss of knowledge and skill to such an important program.  I guess the UP brass isn't concerned about this as long as the 844 is hitting the rails and fulfilling her duties?....sad times to say the least.

Chris 

That was evident last year when they flat-spotted 4 pairs of driving wheels on 844....

That was in the Austin area, right?  I got some photos and a short video of it being towed back to Taylor. (First time I ever saw 844.)

"So just who do you think is either a former employee/volunteer, or who is "disgruntled"? Are you even aware that EVERY SINGLE UP EMPLOYEE from the previous Steam Crew is now GONE? They either quit the railroad outright, or resigned from the Steam Crew and exercised their seniority in order to return to their previous job, or bid off the Steam Crew to another Mechanical Dept. position, or was removed from service by the Medical Doctor as a result of extreme job stress. Even one of the newer men, the Boilermaker, was removed from service for insubordination (the guy wanted to weld per the current NBIC code requirements, but the new manager wanted it welded HIS way)."

Is this why John Rimmasch, Wasatch Railroad Contractors, moved to Cheyenne?  Does he have his nose under the UP tent?

Yes...I forgot about that.

What I meant was that almost any good engineer can be taught the basics of running a steam locomotive. Teaching the Heritage Skills involved in maintaining an old machine like a steam loco is much more involved and time-consuming. In the process, many little but important details can be lost when the "old heads" are not around to share their knowledge and pass it on to the younger guys.