UP is in discussions. The museum people at the Fairplex are not convinced they should give up their pride & joy.
There is a second Big Boy that is also a possible candidate. UP has not said which Big Boy.
It would be cool.
But I’m happy when any steam locomotive is restored, big or small 
Ralph
Ralph Berg said:
There is a second Big Boy that is also a possible candidate. UP has not said which Big Boy.Ralph
The one at Steamtown ?
Doubtful as this one is so full of rust holes in the boiler and is in such poor restoration condition. Plus moving it would to Caly be highly unlikely.
The Big Boy in Dallas is about to be moved.
Do you know where?
Dennis, can you confirm this statement?
I’ll believe it when I see one being moved to Cheyenne, otherwise its all just wishful thinking.
Any credence to the Dallas BIG BOY being used in a movie – thus the claimed need for restoration?
that movie was first proposed pre-millenium.
This is true,it’s not a rumor UP is serious. UP has looked at all 8 remaining BigBoys and 4014 looks to be the best. As the the article says the head guy has already talked with the Group in Pomona. I hope it happens It would be cool.
The Dallas Big Boy restoration/movie is fell on its face and probably not going to happen.
The Railroad Museum in Dallas is moving, the city of Dallas does not want them anymore. They think the property is better for some other purpose.
So the city of Frisco, TX has taken over and is building a state of the Art Museum and has started moving all buildings and rolling stock.
With that going on the Big Boy might have been a possible contender for the restore, it had to be moved anyway.
Not in the best of shape as it has been vandalized, stripped and other disrespectful things done to the Big Boy to make in inoperable by UP.
Here is the current website:
Victor Smith said:I feel the same way. Even if they get one to Cheyenne after analyzing the work needed it may not move forward. I would love to see one run again so I hope the story is serious and UP is willing to put big money into the project.
I'll believe it when I see one being moved to Cheyenne, otherwise its all just wishful thinking.
The cheapest one to move is the one on display in Cheyenne. But i think that one is in bad shape.
UP’s steam Guys are probably the best in the world ( followed very closely by the D&SNG) at what they do. They would’t go to the effort to get it there if it wasn’t going to work. When they look an engine over they spot things that you and I would never catch or notice. They know exactly what there getting before it gets to it’s new home.
Jon Radder said:They wouldn't move it to Cheyenne only to then to find out if its worth it. The Trains Mag article says the UP guys have already looked the remaining 8 over. So they know the one they want and what they will have to do to it.
Even if they get one to Cheyenne after analyzing the work needed it may not move forward.
This is a neat idea and I hope it comes to fruition. The closest I have ever come to seeing one of these beasties moving is watching the DM&IR Yellowstone “move” at the rail museum in Duluth (It’s on rollers and operates every half hour). To see a Big Boy move under its own power would be awesome indeed.
OK - Points taken. My point was that you never really know the extent of the job until the ultra-sound is done and the tear down complete. No matter how good and experienced the UP guys are they don’t have x-ray vision (at least they haven’t told anyone if they do). There is a big difference between a large deep pocketed corporation doing a restoration and a barely surviving tourist operation or museum. I suppose if they budget for the worst then there will be no surprise big enough to derail the project. I too hope this happens and is operational before I’m too old to go chase it.
Something else to think about, 3985 is undergoing extensive remodeling. They only have room for one in the shops. They park the E-8s and 844 on the other tracks. The roundhouse is filled with a rotary plow, sister to 844 (used for parts), another small steam engine (but I cant remember the size or number) and the souvenior car. Plus all the tools are in the shop.
If they get a Big Boy the first thing I can think is will it fit in the shops. I know 3985 was real tight, of course when I saw her in there she had her tender attached and 844 was undergoing extensive remodeling. Of course I think we are a few years down the road if this comes to fruition. The glimmering hope is that UP has been talking openly about this and that means they have probably made some progress to the point to comment on it.
As a side note, when I toured the shops about 6 or 7 years ago, the steam guys expressed a desire to get a big boy running. Of course at the time they considered it a pipe dream.
I have to agree with Jake… if UP has actually come out and admitted this is going on, it seems obvious that more has been done than has been let loose to the public. If I was a UP manager, I wouldn’t let a word slip about this officially until there was much done on the route, because if it should fail to come to fruition, the public backlash could have unforeseen consequences.
