UP Big Boy Restoration

Rusty is absolutely correct about the sheet metal Jacketing. In fact, UP 844 has even had her Jacketing renewed at least twice during her "excursion career" alone.

The asbestos insulation material  was removed from #4014 many, many years ago. The best way to keep a steam locomotive boiler shell in good condition when "out in the weather" on display was/is to IMMEDIATELY remove the Jacket and asbestos lagging. Some places have even gone through the effort to reapply the sheet metal jacketing with appropriate spacers between the sheet metal and boiler so the it APPEARS that everything is "as it was in the old days". 

Over the last 30 years or so, obviously asbestos insulation is no longer used on restored & operating steam locomotives. There is much higher "R Factor" fiberglass material now available, and is also MUCH easier to work with.

Just suppose they eventually got all three locomotives running.  Does the UP steam program have enough trained personnel to run them all at the same time?

Thanks Bob, I'm just a Railfan, and don't have the hands-on experience that Rich and Hot Water (and others) have. I wanted to make sure that I was indeed using the proper terminology.

 Thanks again, and also to Hot Water, for the additional info on lagging and jacketing,

Doug

in a word,,,,,,NO! They really don't even have enough "trained" personnel to OPERATE the 844 (witness the flattening of all four drive wheels early last year).

In the event that happened, there are certainly enough trained steam crews in the country that they could make it happen.  I'm sure experienced hands from almost any mainline engine could be contracted to run on the UP.

That has generally NOT been the UP's policy in the past, and I doubt that it would change for future steam operations. Besides, how many people do you think there are out there that are qualified to operate CORRECTLY either 3985, or 4014 in the future? Just because one may be "qualified" on, say NKP 765, or PM 1225, or AT&SF 3751, operating a locomotive like 3985 and/or 4014 is a whole different situation.

You have an axe to grind with the UP steam program.  We get it.

 quite true I'm sure, but I would think Rich Melvin,Doyale McCormack or the like would be better quialified than most. 

That is just your opinion, right?

Exactly! It's a wonder that the U.P. ever let outsiders in to operate their engines in the first place. Isn't that some kind of Union violation?

I'm sure that Rich can speak for himself. Since Doyle McCormack (correct spelling), has more than 100 miles at the throttle of 3985 over his home division (between Eugene, OR and Albina Yard in Portland). I'd say that he is one of the VERY few people that could easily AND correctly operate either 3985 or 4014 anyplace on the UP system.

So,,,,,,who was the "outsider" that ever operated any of the UP steam locomotives?

And NO, it isn't a "Union violation", so long as there is a "Union" pilot crew called for the move.

An observation.

definatly no lost love for the new Boss

OK, I see. An observation by someone who has a wealth of experience on real steam locomotives, and especially the UP steam program.

However, since I retired as a CONTRACTOR for the UP Steam Crew back at the end of 2010 anyway, nothing affects me no matter what they do. Nor does it affect ANY of the former members of the UP Steam Crew, since they are also all gone, as of spring 2013.

Hotwater needs to consider a disclaimer at the end of his posts about the UP, Something like:

"The above statements represent the opinions of a former contractor of the UP steam program and may reflect personnel biases and feelings of the writer. Please take them as would take the opinions of any ex-contractor of  a company that may feel they  know better that those currently involved with the company"

Not a bad idea. But remember that I have NEVER posted anything untrue concerning the current management of the UP steam program.If that disclaimer is OK with Rich Melvin, it's OK with me too!

I don't even have to know which end of the locomotive you put the coal in to be qualified to assess your personal bias.  We get it.  You have problems with UP Steam.  Maybe you're right to.  I don't know.  I don't care.  But I am burned out on your negative posts about the 4014.  There's my input.

Well there is no way to prove or disprove that really, since the UP management doesn't respond to your comments directed towards them.

Well if it hasn't been UP's policy in the past then we will have to see if that policy changes in the future.  This program is like many things...it's evolving and changes occur, some for the better and some not depending on ones feelings towards things.  I guess we will just have to wait and see what we see with regards to this.

Actually, that isn't quite true either. The "current manager" has indeed responded to MANY of the posts by me, and former members of the permeant UP Steam Crew, over on TrainOrders.com, and it has all become quite hilarious, over the last 2 to 3 years.

Not to get side track about this wonderful conversation on what's a opinion, who's right, who's wrong, etc etc.

What is trainorders.com charging these days to be a member?

I think it's $32.00