RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted December 19, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 19, 2012 (edited) There's is a short piece in the current edition of Heritage Railway magazine that UP have budgeted for possible restoration of a Big Boy to working order by 2019. That would be fantastic to see if they do achieve it. 4014 situated at Angeles County Fairground has been identified as the best condition of the surviving ones but there are objections as its the star exhibit there're. Edited July 26, 2013 by roundhouse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted December 19, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 19, 2012 That would be worth a trip to the States just to see. It was always a "given" that none of the Big Boys would run again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted December 19, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 19, 2012 There may be objections but don't they all still belong to UP and are just on loan? They always said the Challenger made more sense so will they mothball that I wonder. Would be nice to see and hear one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 This seems to raise its head every few years... last time a tv company were supposedly financing it. I hope it happens, as I have a number of hats that need eating. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted December 19, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 19, 2012 Hope it's true, I'll be there wherever it is! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold John B Posted December 19, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 19, 2012 They (UP) appear to be serious - certainly they've been talking to the group that caretakes 4014 in Pomona. Star exhibit or not, I'd be delighted to see it rescued from it's "display" at the Fairplex, where there is no prospect of a future other than getting rustier or dustier. You really don't understand how good you have it regarding working steam in the UK, until you move to the USA... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted December 19, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 19, 2012 I had heard that none would run again not just due to the cost of restoration and running but that the rails now used are not suitable for the weight but as to how true that is / was I am not sure. I have still yet to see the Challenger or FEF3 in action but one day we will be in the right place and right time. Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Boucher Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 This pops up every so often. A few years ago there was one in Texas (IIRC) that they spent money on to get it so it could roll, but that was as far as it got. I'm surprised that UP is doing it, as last time (once again, IIRC) Steve Lee, the man who was in charge of the UP heritage fleet at that time, said that there were only two places left on the UP system where one could get turned around. Those two places were within about 10 miles of each other. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 What about wyes or balloon loops...? I'm a railroad consultant, and you owe me $5. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DavidLong Posted December 19, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 19, 2012 This is the link to the item on the Trains newswire: http://trn.trains.com/en/Railroad%20News/News%20Wire/2012/12/Union%20Pacific%20looking%20to%20restore%20Big%20Boy%20for%20excursion%20service.aspx David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebottle Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 (edited) Just a bit of trivia - the last track on the Shadows' first album (also called "The Shadows") was entitled "Big Boy". Listening to the rhythm, it must refer to the loco. It was composed by Bruce Welch and Hank Marvin - another two names to add to the list of train fans among Rock/Pop musicians? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ScnsGg_ix8 Edited December 19, 2012 by bluebottle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium BR60103 Posted December 20, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 20, 2012 Photos taken in October. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 They (UP) appear to be serious - certainly they've been talking to the group that caretakes 4014 in Pomona. Star exhibit or not, I'd be delighted to see it rescued from it's "display" at the Fairplex, where there is no prospect of a future other than getting rustier or dustier. You really don't understand how good you have it regarding working steam in the UK, until you move to the USA... Hope it works out John....you could open a bed and breakfast for U.K. fans coming over to see it :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 (edited) Game on...!! http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/heritage_and_steam/2013/0723_4014.shtml Edited July 23, 2013 by 298 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyvern Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 What fantastic news, what a sight it will be. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve O. Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Great stuff! Big challenge though. It'll take more than a quick rub with Brasso. 2017 run date? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jukebox Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 (edited) Great news! Perhaps the OP can change the "?" for a "!" in the thread title. Edited July 23, 2013 by jukebox 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave1905 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 The track can certainly take the weight of the Big Boy, it was all 263k back in the 1950's and most of the major routes are good for 315K now. As for turning it, it would have to be turned on wyes since the long turntables are retired. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted July 24, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 24, 2013 Special edition by Athearn to raise funds anyone? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 (edited) The Cab is bigger than most apartments in Manhattan worth below $1m... Mainline trackage here, now, is, if anything, better than it was, across the country than back in the Forties. heavier weight, concrete ties, cess better managed etc. Best, Pete. Edited July 24, 2013 by trisonic 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 2019? I've got time to buy in several bottles of HP for those hats I'll have to eat... If anyone can, UP can... and heaven knows they must be sitting on a mountain of cash that needs spending... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted July 24, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 24, 2013 Whoohoo! That's the next 5 years 5p,10p, and 20p s taken care of. I w-i-l-l b-e t-h-e-r-e!! (wherever there is.....) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I know it's not a Big Boy.... but I'd pay to see the Big Boy do a rerun of this: 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted July 24, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 24, 2013 The Cab is bigger than most apartments in Manhattan worth below $1m... Best, Pete. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=444515&nseq=4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 For those who have never stood alongside a 'Big Boy' - I can vouch for their size ! . Brian R 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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