UP Big Boy Restoration

Don't give Lee Willis any ideas

 

Hahah I'd love to see a model of my old BNSF Daylight!  I'm still disappointed they went all black for that BNSF special.  

I do wonder if Warren Buffet would do a similar restoration for BNSF?  What would be a good engine to use?  Maybe he could lease the 3751 and run it over the system?

 

I'm IN. Already emailed my wife at work about it! We were thinking more about the Amtrak Capital Limited out of DC. I'm sure she would be more than happy to detour to NYC if you'd like to meet/leave from there!

 

Gilly

 

Gilly

Well there is the 2926 group in New Mexico...hmmmm

 

http://www.nmslrhs.org/

 

Chris

 

The 844 has a rigid wheel base of 22', as Hot Water notes. I think the rigid wheelbase of the Challenger is 12' 2", and that of the Big Boy is 18' 9". So both the Challenger and the BB can go places 844 can't, and the Challenger also can go places the BB can't. Obviously there's a lot more difference between the Challenger and 844 than there is between the BB and 844.

The 2926 would be cool!

Did I tell you guys that I love the Union Pacific?

Now that UP is doing the correct thing, I`d like to see Norfolk Southern bring back the "A" and the "J".  The publicity along should be of benefit to both railroads.

If NS did that I would have a steam overload......heaven. 

 

Chris

I'll quote Rich Melvin on that one......"It will never happen!"

That's still being restored in ABQ,NM. Check their website for the latest progress.

Yeah...I meant upon completion of the restoration.  As for "never gonna happen" .....like they'll never restore a 4000...or 611 will never run again...hmmm I wouldn't say "never" to quickly about such things. 

 

Chris

There are a lot of "nevers" that are actually happening.

So are they gonna lay the tracks straight down Fairplex Dr, through the parking lot, or down the drag strip?

 

They better move it fast. The NHRA Winternationals are usually around the OCT-NOV time frame.

Well proposals have been made to BNSF before Warren came around, and even now with him there... BNSF has no interest or desire to restore, or even run any steam engines on their tracks. There is no interest in Heritage paint schemes or anything of that nature. Rail fans and many BNSF employees wish that were different, but it's not, hasn't been, and no hopes of changing the attitude any time soon.

 

BNSF has access to the 3751 at any time they want to work with the Historical Society..they don't. It's major deal when the 3751 shows up for Rail Days and it has to been turned in the yard. BNSF fights the UP the whole way about running any of their steam engines on BNSF tracks. Sad, but true.

 

I hope I am wrong by saying "NEVER" for BNSF, and I would be quick to admit I was wrong by making that statement..... unlike someone else who hasn't bothered to show up and post that the bold statement he made was wrong!    

For current information about the 4014 Bigboy, please come to our website, railgiants.org.  This is the official web site of the Southern California Chapter of the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society in Pomona, Ca.   We will be scheduling additional weekend days to be open during August.

This is great news about 4014.  The odds of it going all the way through to completion, who's knows at this point, but the announcement of UP intent to do so is at least something to enjoy for the time being.  Now all we need is CSX to restore the Allegheny to operating condition and Baltimore then finally host their Festival of the Iron Horse so they can all meet like they were going to until snow brought down the roof of the roundhouse. And here I thought I missed prime time for operating steam in America.  

 

Now that would be awesome, from a major SP and cab forward nut as myself. 

 

Of course the problem with the cab forward (assuming they would keep it stored inside the museum display building when not operating) is that the turntable is too small to support it and the tender at the same time.  They would have to disconnect & turn them individually, and reconnect them afterwards and repeat the process for every excursion.

Was it ever mentioned if this was a trade deal or monetary one?  I'm curious if the folks who have the BB are getting something else in trade to display.

 

I would think they are definitely getting something, they are losing a big part of their collection.  If they are getting something in trade we shall soon see, if $$$ exchanged between the parties then I would say that is between them. 

 

I am curious about the conversion to oil myself.  I wonder if they will have to use dual burners or a single large burner....that is one huge firebox.

 

Chris 

A BB with a single oil burner was tried unsuccessfully. I think it was #4017 that once burned oil, but it was converted back to coal.

Yeah, I agree -- if there is $$ involved, it's none of my business - I'm not poking around to see how much $$ (if any) was involved, was more curious if they got another engine in the trade and what it was.

thx

Nah, Warren Buffet's only concern is his standing on the billionaires list.

 

Actually the locomotive was 4005 (currently on display in Denver), and it certainly was NOT unsuccessful! Some of the old head Engineers out of the Cheyenne pool, with Fireman dates back in the late 1940s, stated that the 4005 steamed exceptionally well after conversion to bunker C fuel oil. The UP Mechanical Dept. was even about to try a two burner set-up, but the oil "oil burning 4000 class" test proposal was canceled since the 4005 used such an enormous amount of oil, that one could barely make it between locomotive servicing facilities. Unlike coal fueling facilities, which where located about every 40 to 50 miles, the heated bunker C fueling facilities where only located at locomotive terminals. Thus, the oil burning test conducted on #4005 was terminated, and she was returned to coal fuel.

I'm an N&W guy, and I don't care if they fire it on CHICKENS!!! When it hits the rails, I'm headed west. Never in my life did I dream of ever seeing a Big Boy run. I missed every Space Shuttle launch. I'm not gonna miss this!!!!

 

Gilly

 

Let's see here...UP restores 4014. NS counters by restoring both 611 and 1218!  CSX, not wanting to be left out of the big steam up, puts the wrench to 1604! Buffet, has nothing quite that big, but brings a 5011 class out to play along with the 2926 project. UP then plays the trump card and (along with GE help) fires up No. 18!  a development that even a Dieselover can enjoy!  Can you dig it? I knew you could!

Bill Gates is now worth 67 Billion even after giving away 28 billion, Paul Allen is worth 34 Billion after giving away a fortune, restoring many of the great locomotives is pocket change to them, it is unfortunate that the interest is not there. The Allegheny, the Yellowstone, the "A" and the "J" get my vote for restoration.

That is great information, thanks HW.  They are gonna suck down a bunch of fuel when they get her operational.  Gonna have to have a tanker chasing her as well....

 

 

Chris

I would imagine they could hook up an auxiliary fuel tender to it if they needed to.

Firing up #18 would be awesome!!! If I was Buffet or Gates I would purchase #18 personally and restore it with all the modern goodies. **** I need to win the lottery. Lol

Actually, if they use their head, and convert the whole entire tender to fuel oil, then use at least two aux tenders for water, there would be no need for a problematic "auxiliary fuel tender". That would then give them some 28,000 gallons of fuel oil, and over 50,000 gallons of water. It is a LOT easier to transfer water by gravity than oil!

 

One other very important factor in the conversion of 4005 to oil burning was, they left the brick arch in place from coal burning! That provided much more even firebox heating. If they do the same thing with 4014 they should be fine.

4005? Sorry to "derail" this thread a bit. I ran across this the other day, not sure if it was ever posted. I'm sure some of you already know the story,either way I found it interesting.

 

http://www.forneymuseum.org/News_BigBoyWreck.html

 

Come see Bigboy 4005 at the Forney Museum in Denver, While your there checkout the Rocky Mountain Toy Train Show. All door proceeds go to fund the Forney Museum.