Large Scale Central

Latest 4014 news

General Discussion
#21

There were a number of people on the forums that were trying to be experts and once they voiced THEIR pessimistic opinion (the bearing controversy was one), they seem to be hanging in there about the project failing.

Now that the UP checked it out, and as shown on several videos, they said the bearings and loco itself was in good shape, somehow they are silent, hmm…

Even when presented with the information that the Pomona group regularly lubed the bearings and rolled the loco back and forth, apparently they believed their level of expertise was beyond the UP engineers.

This group is all on a few other private forums bashing more people for other things, like that AML is lying about their new GP60, etc.

Clearly the majority of the people are delighted that the effort is being made and it will run again.

Greg

#22

Bart Salmons said:

There are people who just aren’t happy unless they are causing a controversy…they aren’t happy with their lives and they want to make sure so one else is either…

Bart, you can easily tell them they have succeeded… we aren’t satisfied with their lives either :smiley:

#23

Greg,

It has always been like that, the only difference is the Internet gives them a larger audience than the drinking circle(s) used to.

#24

Gosh, Greg, are you trying to tell us that Uncle Pete just might know more than a bunch of bloviators?

#25

I am excited to see the big boy run once again. As one of the generations who never experienced it running in real life and only could rely on grainy videos, I will promptly ignore all the naysayers.

Having toured the UP Steam shops in Cheyenne, I think they got a good handle on what they need to do to get this monster running again.

To relate a story told to me while I was there (this would be a few years back when UP was rebuilding 844). They talked about all the old metalworking equipment designed specifically for working on steam locomotives and that there was one guy who knew how to operate all of it and he was in his 80s. But, he had a good group of young men under his tutelage learning the lost art of metalwork on steam engines. It was interesting that it took the group of volunteers about 2 years (i think thats right) to rebuild 844, when in steam’s heyday it would take about a month!!

#26

Did they move the Big Boy to Cheyenne yet or is it still sitting in Colton?

#27

Jake, in steams heyday you had a team of skilled workers busting their…Today you have well intentioned volunteers. a bit of a difference.

That is one of those things I have wondered about. How does a shop like that recapture lost skills and know-how from so long ago. Sure, people can read about how to do it in a book, but that will never replace learning it from an experienced person.

#28

Very true David.

#29

Doug Arnold said:

Did they move the Big Boy to Cheyenne yet or is it still sitting in Colton?

Far as I know, it’s still in Colton. As I understand it, it may take quite a while to get it prepped for the rest of the journey.

#30

I have a feeling that volunteers are doing most of the prep work. Most of the “kids” wouldn’t know what to do with the engine!

#31

4014 is still in Colton and about 65% of the steam crew is with it. The date to make the Cheyenne move is still not firm but better than expected weather could move the date up some. Overall the 4014 is in far better shape than anyone figured on at this point in time.

#32

Thanks Bob. What a speciality anymore. Can you imagine putting steam expertise on your resume!

#33

As a working member of the D&RGW 315 crew, Brain drain is a long term concern within our program. This past summer I learned the proper way and how to lap the steam valve on our engine. Since the steam valve doesn’t need to be lapped but as needed and during an overhaul, it may well be years before it is touched again. The “Old Guy” that instructed and taught the two of us younger guys (60’s) is in his late 70’s himself and may not be around when the time comes to do it again. We are fortunate that we do have the Durango & Silverton back shop people to draw upon.

315 is an 1895 engine, and the K’s of the D&S and the C&T are at least 3 generations newer and they operate to a complete different set of doings and goings on. There are certain things that we have learned that work best a certain way on 315, and we have had problems when those ways have been altered.

The 315 group has started a book of procedures and how to’s to pass along to the “next” generations, As we know that the old girl will out live all the current crew.

#34

(From my previous posting that was obscured in the debate over the condition of the locomotive)

To Bob Russell:
Are there any further public viewing dates open in Colton? Apparently, TRAINS magazine has “exclusive” reporting options on the project and that may prohibit both photography and future public visits to preparation.

Any comments from you are appreciated.
Thanks

#35

John Bouck said:

They are going to have to carry a lot of water with them. Maybe four or five tenders. The original Big Boys, under full steam with a long train, had a re-watering range of about 50 miles or less. You’re basically running 2 “Northerns” together. I’m looking forward to seeing them run." End Quote

No offense, but 50 miles would not make the big Boy worth running. The tender holds 25,000 gallons of water. During test runs conducted in April 1943, the engine burned 9.7 tons of coal in one hour (under heavy load ) The heat created turned nearly 10,000 gallons of water into steam. At operational speeds the Big Boy required water and coal about every two hours. Two hours at 60 mph is at least 120 miles. I would expect future Big Boy runs to be much more efficient. Much better lubrication for starters. The Engine itself will be lighter, and so will the load ( Passenger service) and the better efficiency of the no 6 fuel and the water recycling will give it a good 200 mile range. Im sure you will see at least one, maybe two extra “centipede” behind it as you do behind the UP3985. Expect an efficient Showboat… cause thats what youll see…, and thats great

#36

Big Boy UP4014 has a scheduled stop at a Steam weekend in Wyoming, where it will be in the same town as sibling UP4004 before it makes it way to the Shops for an upgrade/overhaul.