Large Scale Central

Big Boy and UP Steam Update

General Discussion
#1

I was in Cheyenne and went down to the steam shops. A sign on the door said no tours, but I went on inside. Guy that took Lynn’s place did let me take some pix and answer a few questions, then ushered me out. 844 may run by August, doing stay bolts and tubes. He said boiler work on it and 4014 were being done by a crew out of COlorado. Big Boy is 3-5 years they figures. Challenger is in the Roundhouse and there are NO plans for it.

They are taking the Big Boy apart.

Big Boy smokebox door.

BB parts stacked outside.

#2

I’d break a habit of many years and go down south to C********a to see that Big Boy running in steam.

Thanks for posting, Jerry.

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS

#3

Jerry-
Thanks for the report and photos – and your positive attitude to ask for info.

Am I correct there is a train memorabilia (museum?) display at the site that may sell replica 4014 number plates, etc. A replica, if small enough, would be a great gift. The 4014 photo of a number plate you shot also had some wired ID tags next to it suggesting to me that it was maybe 12" in size – an original? A replica?

Thanks,
Wendell

#4

When working on a “project” of that size, you have to label every part. That way, you know where it goes when its time to put it back on.

I am sure a wooden replica of that plate could be make for you. There was a vendor at the ECLSTS who does that stuff. I think he also may advertize on here. Forgive me, but his name escapes me at the moment

#5

Nice post Jerry, thank you for the information.

#6

I wish the UP Crew would just come clean on the Challenger. Everything I have heard doesn’t sound good for it ever steaming again.

#7

Well, he said there were NO PLANS for the Challenger, it’s stuck over in the Roundhouse now, not in the steam shops.

All the pix are real parts off the Big Boy that I took at the UP steam shops. There is a shop/museum in the old UP depot.

#8

Bob Russell said:

I wish the UP Crew would just come clean on the Challenger. Everything I have heard doesn’t sound good for it ever steaming again.

Godhalls Machine shop just over the mountain from me is working on a Challenger not quite as big as the 1:1 but you can still ride it !

http://www.godshallscustommachining.com/shop-projects.html

#9

Jerry Barnes said:

Well, he said there were NO PLANS for the Challenger, it’s stuck over in the Roundhouse now, not in the steam shops.

All the pix are real parts off the Big Boy that I took at the UP steam shops. There is a shop/museum in the old UP depot.

Who wants a Challenger when you can have a Big Boy. :wink:

Seriously, either the deep pockets that are funding the Big Boy didn’t pony up to fund the Challenger, or the Challenger has more serious (read expensive) issues then the Big Boy is known to have. Just my thoughts. Not to be taken as any REAL knowledge on the matter