27 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Trains Magazine 'Newswire, 12/13/18:
 

Big Boy 4014 gets drivers; UP asks for PTC waivers for three steam locomotives

 

 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 is feeling like at least half of its old self today.

 

 

UP steam shop crew places the front engine under Big Boy No. 4014 on Dec. 11.

Photos published on Facebook news groups showed Union Pacific steam shop crews on Tuesday lifting the smokebox and boiler with side sideboom tractors and sliding the rebuilt front engine (the 4-8 in 4-8-8-4) under the boiler. The photos also show what appears to be an almost completed boiler with only the steam dome cover and smokebox inspection hatches missing and a complete backhead with valves, piping, waterglasses, and other controls.

 

SNIP

 

Meanwhile, a notice published in the federal register Thursday shows that UP has asked the Federal Railroad Administration for waivers on Positive Train Control compliance for steam locomotives Nos. 844, 4014, and Challenger 4-6-6-4 No. 3985, which is stored out of service in Cheyenne.

 

More here.

[CNJRoss]

UP Inside Track, 1/29/19:
 

Steam Update: Big Boy’s Restoration Nearly Complete

 

Union Pacific steam locomotive No. 4014, the Big Boy, is in one piece again nearly two years after the behemoth was disassembled to begin its restoration.

 

 

 

The Union Pacific Steam Team recently hoisted the Big Boy’s more than 250-ton boiler and rear engine into the air with two massive cranes and reconnected it to its front engine. Getting to that connection moment was a complicated endeavor.

 

Articulated steam locomotives have two sets of drivers – or complete engine units – with eight wheel sets total. The front set of driving wheels, referred to as the front engine, can move independently from the locomotive's permanently attached boiler and rear engine. This allows the locomotive to better negotiate curves.

 

Steam Update: The Big Boy is Back Together Again

 

Ed Dickens, head of the Union Pacific Steam Team, describes how the crew reconnected locomotive No. 4014's boiler and rear engine to its front engine.

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

Union Pacific via YouTube, 2/6/19:

 

UP Steam Team’s Ed Dickens talks about the process for testing the boiler to ensure it can take the enormous steam pressure needed to operate the locomotive.

 

[CNJRoss]

Norfolk (NE) Daily News, 2/9/19:
 

Train buffs looking forward to historic resurrection of ‘Big Boy’

 

 

Train enthusiasts across the nation — including those in Northeast Nebraska — are eagerly looking forward to a special train trip this spring powered by a special engine.

 

To mark the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, work is being done to rebuild one of the famous “Big Boy” steam engines so that it can operate on its own power before May 10.

 

If so, the engine’s first trip is expected to take the locomotive to Ogden, Utah, not far from where the Golden Spike was driven at Promontory in 1869.  .  .  .

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

YouTube:
 

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 Update Early Febuary 2019

 

UP Trains 4014

Published on Feb 6, 2019

 

[CNJRoss]

YouTube:

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 Update | April 2019

 

UP Trains 4014

Published on Apr 10, 2019

 

 

Tires have been kicked, and fires have been lit. Big Boy is close to test runs!

 

[CNJRoss]

YouTube:

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 Update #2 April 2019

 

UP Trains 4014

Published on Apr 21, 2019

 

[CNJRoss]

 

 

Union Pacific Steam Club Update No. 4 - Mar. 13, 2019

 

Here's the news you've been waiting for!

 

The commemorative tour schedule for the Big Boy No. 4014 and Living Legend No. 844 are now online at https://www.up.com/h...edule/index.htm.

 

The iconic steam locomotives will join together in a public display for the first time May 9 in Ogden, Utah, during Union Pacific's celebratory event marking the transcontinental railroad's 150^th anniversary. The festivities include recreating the iconic photo taken May 10, 1869, when the last spike was tapped into place at Promontory Summit, creating America's first transcontinental railroad. Union Pacific no longer has tracks near Promontory Summit. They were removed to support the scrap metal projects during World War II.

 

No. 844 will leave Cheyenne, Wyoming, April 27. It will make several brief whistle-stops in communities along its route, arriving in Ogden on April 28. The Living Legend will be on display at Ogden Union Station through May 11.

 

No. 4014 will leave Cheyenne May 4 following a 9:30 a.m. MT christening ceremony at the historic Cheyenne Depot and arrive in Ogden for the May 9 celebratory event at Ogden Union Station. The Big Boy also will make several whistle-stops in communities along its route.

 

A comprehensive schedule for the April – May tour, including additional locations, display times and No. 844 and No. 4014 GPS location tracking information is available at http://upsteam.com. Due to the dynamic nature of these operations, running times and scheduled stops are subject to change.

 

The 150th anniversary celebration will continue throughout the year with No. 4014 visiting many states across the Union Pacific system. A tentative schedule with tour locations and dates will be published in the near future.

 

 

Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car

 

Folks who visit our Heritage Fleet during the upcoming Great Race to Ogden Tour will have a chance to "experience" railroading like they never have before.

 

The Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car is a brand new, multi-media walk-through exhibition providing a glimpse at the past while telling the story of modern-day railroading. Through sound, images and interactive technology, visitors will see how Union Pacific is building America in their communities and throughout the world.

 

After entering the converted baggage car, patrons will first learn about the investment, hard work and know-how that went into building the transcontinental railroad.

 

Moving forward along one wall they'll learn about the evolution of the locomotive, beginning with the world famous UP No. 119 and leading to the modern-day diesel powerhouses. On the opposite wall, rail fans will trace how fresh apples are delivered from California and Washington to New York, and understand every aspect of rail operations and innovation along the way.

 

Next, exciting interactive technology will show how Union Pacific is using lasers, cameras and other detection devices to accurately inspect moving rail cars and railroad track. Folks will be able to test their skills to see how they measure up as rail car inspectors.

 

Before leaving, exhibition-goers will be able to show us how they connect to the railroad using high-tech thermal reactive tiles. A final display celebrates the history of Union Pacific's Passenger Heritage Fleet through vintage photos.

 

The Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car will be included in the Heritage Fleet consist during upcoming tours, beginning with a special tour to Sacramento and Roseville, California; Sparks, Nevada; and Ogden, Utah, that kicks off April 19 at the California State Railroad Museum, 125 I St., in Sacramento.

 

Check up.com for the upcoming schedule and viewing hours.

 

That's all for now. Before we go, here's a Steam Club Safety Tip: Never assume tracks are abandoned or inactive – ALWAYS expect a train and assume tracks are active.

 

Thanks, and be safe!

Union Pacific Steam Club

 

 

[CNJRoss]

 

 

Union Pacific Steam Club Update No. 5 - Apr. 10, 2019

 

 

From the UP Steam Team: We've been working hard out here making good progress. For the first time in 60 years a UP 4000 class locomotive has fire in its firebox in Cheyenne...an oil fire.

 

A fire was successfully lit April 9 in the firebox of the UP 4014, the crew is excited to undergo additional testing of the modified "oil conversion" for the Big Boy 4014.

 

Details Announced about May 9 Celebration

Union Pacific will host a celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad's completion Thursday, May 9, at 10:30 a.m. MDT. The ceremony will be held at Ogden Union Station a day ahead of Utah's celebration at Promontory Summit where the Golden Spike was originally tapped into place.

 

The May 9 ceremony will feature Living Legend No. 844 and Big Boy No. 4014. The two will meet, recreating the historic image taken at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869.

 

Following the steam meet, Union Pacific Chairman, President and CEO Lance Fritz and Utah Gov. Gary Herbert will be joined by Margaret Yee and Sandy Dodge to tap a ceremonial spike. Yee's ancestors were among thousands of Chinese immigrants who forged the transcontinental railroad for Central Pacific. Dodge is a descendent of Gen. Grenville Dodge, Civil War veteran and Union Pacific's chief engineer during construction.

 

May 9 and 10 Ceremonies to be Streamed Live via Facebook

Can't make it to Ogden or Promontory for the big events May 9 and 10? That's OK, we've got you covered.

 

Union Pacific will be streaming both ceremonies live via the UP Facebook page, located at http://www.facebook.com/unionpacific. If you haven't already "liked" our Facebook page, do it today. You'll be notified as soon as the cameras start rolling.

 

We'll be including schedules for the May 9 and 10 events in future Steam Club emails.

 

Limited Number of Tickets Available for 4014 and 844 Excursion

Here's a head's up on a very special steam excursion opportunity.

 

As you know, steam locomotives No. 844 and No. 4014 will be in Ogden for Union Pacific's 150th anniversary celebration commemorating the completion of the transcontinental railroad. The locomotives will begin traveling together back to the Cheyenne Steam Shop Sunday, May 12.

 

A limited number of tickets will be sold by Spike 150 for a ride that day onboard Union Pacific's Heritage Fleet cars being pulled by Nos. 844 and 4014 between Ogden, Utah and Evanston, Wyoming. The trip, which includes a two-hour behind-the-scenes tour at Ogden Union Station, is a fundraiser for the Union Pacific Railroad Museum and Spike 150, a Utah initiative to commemorate the 150th anniversary.

 

Go to www.spike150.org on April 12 for more details. Tickets go on sale Monday, April 15.

 

Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car

The Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car is a brand new, multi-media walk-through exhibition that provides a glimpse at the past while telling the story of modern-day railroading. Through sound, images and interactive technology, rail fans will see how Union Pacific is building America in their communities and throughout the world.

 

You can tour the rail car at the following display dates. Admission is free!

 

Sacramento, Calif.

Friday, April 19 - Monday, April 22: 10 a.m - 4 p.m.
California State Railroad Museum, 125 I Street

 

Roseville, Calif.

Tuesday, April 23: 9 a.m - 3 p.m
Vernon & Atlantic St.

 

Sparks, Nev.

Wednesday, April 24 - Thursday, April 25: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Union Pacific Sparks Yard Office, 1 South Pyramid Way

 

Ogden, Utah

Saturday, April 27: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday, April 29 - Saturday, May 4:  10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday, May 6 - Wednesday, May 8:  10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday, May 9:  Noon - 3 p.m.
Friday, May 10 - Saturday, May 11:  10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Ogden Union Station, 2501 Wall Street
Admission required April 27 through May 8; free admission May 9-11.

 

Rock Springs, Wyo.

Tuesday, May 14 - Wednesday, May 15:  9 a.m. – 3 p.m
501 N. Front Street

 

 

That's all for now. Before we go, here's a Steam Club Safety Tip: The average train overhangs the track by at least three feet – take extra precaution and stand back at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks.

 

Thanks, and be safe!

Union Pacific Steam Club

 

 

[CNJRoss]

YouTube:

4014 Updates! - RRSC 15B

 

Railroad Showcase

Published on Apr 17, 2019

 

RAILROAD SHOWCASE Ep 15 airing April 15, 2019