Large Scale Central

MUST WATCH - UP's Big Boy #4014 & #844 Double Header

General Discussion
#1

May 10, 2019 marks 150 years since American completed its first transcontinental railroad. If you love steam trains, you’ve got to watch this video of the newly restorated UP Big Boy #4014 and #844 double heading to participate in the anniversary celebration at Promontory Point, Utah. Wish I could have been there. This event 150 years ago marked the beginning of an era that helped to make America the great power it is today…all powered by steam locomotives!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz29o3aFags

Enjoy.

#2

#3

A few hundred of those amateur foamers need to read the safety rules in the guide Ray posted. Standing in the gauge of the main-line to take pictures. How intelligent.

#4

Jon…That would be like standing in the middle of the race track to get a good pic of the racers coming at ya… :slight_smile: They just don’t get it…

#5

So, just about every video I have watched with a steam engine pulling a excursion train has a diesel in the consist. What is the purpose of dragging it along?

#6

Mostly for dynamic braking, signaling and in case they break down.

#7

Ken Brunt said:

Mostly for dynamic braking, signaling and in case they break down.

Yes, correct…it’s to provide added power to a steamer(s) and more importantly backup locomotion if a steamer has a mechanical breakdown.

I assume everyone noticed the last car on the consist…the president of UP’s car…nice digs!

#8

Jon Radder said:

A few hundred of those amateur foamers need to read the safety rules in the guide Ray posted. Standing in the gauge of the main-line to take pictures. How intelligent.

Jon - Yes, very dangerous but UP didn’t have sufficient staff positioned there to control…a serious safety issue that UP should be concerned about. Note the one scene where the UP agent was on the wrong side of the train and motioning people to get back fron the track…but look down that side of the track and you see tons of people there still all over the track!

Unfortunately here in the Washington DC area there have been three incidents in the last 12 months with people walking on the mainline and were hit by fast moving Amtrak locomotives. They routinely travel at 70 - 80 miles per hour and at that speed you don’t have many seconds to jump out of the way! The Acela gets up to 150 mph on a section of straight track from Boston to New London, and up to 135 - 140 mph on a section in New Jersey where you can see NYC in the background.

Tom

#9

We need to start a petition to the Gubberment that all rail power be returned to steam power by 2025.

#10

Ken Brunt said:

Mostly for dynamic braking, signaling and in case they break down.

The diesels are actually for Head End Power but nobody bitched about the Sinclair antennas on the Puffer Belly !

#11

#12

#13

Devon Sinsley said:

We need to start a petition to the Gubberment that all rail power be returned to steam power by 2025.

I agree.

Cliff

PS, here’s an argument on that theme, but with a twist: Solar steam train

#14

diesel also powers the electricity in the cars in some instants. Those little steam generators on the locos barely power the cab lights and running lights.

#15

" Rooster " said:

Ken Brunt said:

Mostly for dynamic braking, signaling and in case they break down.

The diesels are actually for Head End Power but nobody bitched about the Sinclair antennas on the Puffer Belly !

Actually the 2nd car in the consist, #209 Howard Fogg is the HEP car. It contains a generator for powering the passenger cars. It is part of the std. consists that goes with the steamers. When the train passes at the 11:30is mark, you will see the large silver vents in the side.

Unfortunately, the Dismals are now carried for additional braking and backup power. They probably won’t be going away. At least they are clean.

#16

Didn’t mean to stir anything up… was just curious. I figured it was for extra power or something… Just kinda looks out of place… Rooster who’s the Dork meter for…LOL…

#17

The dismals used to provide power all the time to ease the burden on a 74 year old steamer.

The 844 had the MoPac heritage unit in tow and lost the DPU link and couldn’t shut the dismal down. They ran thru their station stop and a signal, got bad enough they applied 844s loco brakes to stop the train and ended up flat spotting the drivers.

Lesson, you can’t trust a dismal!

#18

Lesson, you can’t trust a dismal!

No, you cant trust them newfangled, unproven, cantankerous, Diesel-lectic things.

#19

#20

Folks - Besides UP’s #4014 and #844, my other favorite steamer is Norfolk & Western Class J #611. I rode one of her last excusions from Alexandria VA to Stauton VA in 1994 before they retired her to the Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke VA. They did two run-bys at full bore for anyone who wanted to debark and film or just enjoy that amazing event. It’s wonderful she was restored about three years ago and doing runs again. She will be visiting the Strasburg Railroad PA in October and I’ve purchased a cab visit to the third seat…was only $100 for 30 minutes compared to much higher price for sitting on either the engineer’s seat or fireman’s seat.