Sorry, when I was at the B&O museum a few years back the 2-6-6-6 was sitting outside. That's how I managed to miss it--we saw everything inside and the engines right next to the parking lot...
They apparently, like Strasburg, do rotate some of the better engines inside from time to time.
Unfortunately there are many other engines that are not so lucky, like the Nickel Plate 757.
And I've seen Nickel Plate 759 sitting outside at Steamtown with large visible holes rusted through the firebox--very sad indeed for an engine that had been in running condition.
So far as "framing up a canopy over the locos", unfortunately the size, height, and area of expanse of such a canopy would make it a major structural undertaking.
Out west, some engines that are under a canopy are under such an ill fitting, low canopy (for some protection from the elements) that one cannot even obtain a good photograph because the low canopy and its supports totally mar any attempt. I'm speaking of SP/WP 4-8-4's...
John
first off don't worry about the 2-6-6-6 its not outdoors its indoors so its safe but i do get your point , i have been to the museum across the street from strasburg & its sucks that they cant even frame up a canopy for the locos, the 757 berk sits out on the grounds & it was the first piece of equipment the museum ever got & only the birds appreicate it .
Atlantic and Hibernia Might I suggest that the single most useful thing that can be done right now is to move as many preserved steam locomotives indoors ASAP? If these machines continue to rust on display tracks exposed to the weather, none of them are going to be restored. Kevin
Might I suggest that the single most useful thing that can be done right now is to move as many preserved steam locomotives indoors ASAP? If these machines continue to rust on display tracks exposed to the weather, none of them are going to be restored.
Kevin
Kevin--
This is true everywhere in the U.S., but is sadly nothing new!
The Railroaders Museum of PA, right across the street from the Strasburg Railroad, has an extensive collection--and they have moved some of it indoors. Unfortunately, many engines must sit outdoors.
The money to build a roof over all the engines has never materialized. They simply don't have it--you are talking about a major investment in structural engineering and construction. This is money that most museums simply do not have, and state/federal grant money is now very very scarce, with the efforts to cut down on congressional pork spending.
As far as the Strasburg Railroad (across the street and privately owned and well managed) is concerned, they are "holding their own" but employees have set me straight--quietly--when I asked about attendance. Even owning their own operating Thomas the Tank Engine (modified from an actual working American tank engine and used all over the U.S.), and the what seem to be constant "Day out with Thomas" events, their actual yearly ridership peaked about 25 years ago and has been in slight decline since.
The turntable bridge for the roundhouse and new shop complex they were going to build at Strasburg, possibly a dream that may now never come to pass, sits rusting on a siding behind some retail shops.
Same thing at Baltimore, at the B&O museum. Engines like the 2-6-6-6 sit outside rotting away because there's no room inside for all of them, and not enough money to build a roof.
Here in the eastern U.S. the old steam power is sitting in weather conditions far worse than what most of the western engines, in generally more favorable climates in California and Arizona and Texas, receive. The Big Boy at Steamtown in Scranton looks...not very good.
heres the latest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZLlFkZfEdw
A contributing factor in the selection of 3985 is that it was UP owned and on UP property, UP no longer retains ownership of any surviving Big Boys, The surviving 4000's were stored serviceable until retirement in 1962-63, some such as 4004 has spent its retirement years in Holiday Park exposed to the elements and was a source of parts during the 3985 restoration, probably not a good canidate, 4014 came west in 1962 to balmy Pomona and has been well cared for, probably the second best canidate would be the one on display in Kennifick Park in Council Bluff, it was stored for decades in the Omaha shops and has not that many years of weather exposure. Time will tell if it comes to fruitition.
Dave
4005 was converted to oil during a coal strike in 1946 so there is precendence for oil conversion, however UP chose a single burner off an FEF which was incapable to supporting a sufficient fire due to the firebox design and the experiment was dropped as soon as the strike was concluded, UP found the high operating cost of the conversion a deal breaker as well, as 4005 suffered from a high oil consumption rate compared with other oil fired power.
UP 4-12-2 Yes, there are rumors about 4014 running again. It may even have been moved off display for further inspection. There was an article not too long ago about one of the Big Boys being moved.
Yes, there are rumors about 4014 running again.
It may even have been moved off display for further inspection. There was an article not too long ago about one of the Big Boys being moved.
Pretty sure it hasn't moved. Still at it's location in the Pomona Fairgrounds.
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
The discussion comes up every now and then and the one late last year was being pushed a little by a movie. But, I've always heard that the conversion to burn oil just doesn't add up, I think due to boiler. maybe they've found away around that issue. Also, the people in CA who own the loco want some guarantees on use of the loco.
Richard
My thoughts is we will see the NYC 3001 back in steam long before we do a Big Boy..While its nice to dream I don't think I would want to keep my fingers cross while waiting on UP's announcement of rebuilding a Big Boy..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
While the behemoth locomotives are amazing to see, I'd love to see someone have mercy on NYC #3001 that's parked (and rotting away) at the New York Central RR Museum in Elkhart, IN.
It's one of only two Mohawks that are still in existence from ANY of NYC's large steam locomotives - i.e. Hudsons, Mohawks, and Niagaras. It's a crime that the upper echelon at NYC had the foresight to scrap ALL their Hudsons and Niagaras when they fully dieselized - without even saving one example for posterity.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
UP 4-12-2 If 3985 isn't running right now, it should be again soon.
If 3985 isn't running right now, it should be again soon.
3985 is getting overhauled, won't be slated to run until 2016 or so.
I would love to see this materialize; it'd be worth a trip from Canuck land to see a Big Boy returning to the rails. These rumours have circulated before, though; nothing came of it in the past.
I'm choosing, right now, to be positive. This time can be different. Let's hope, and look forward to seeing our large heavy idol rolling again!
Stu
Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!
The Challenger 4-6-6-4, UP 3985, along with 4-8-4 844, are maintained in very nearly full working order all the time by the Union Pacific Railroad. Union Pacific is the only Class 1 railroad to continue to maintain a handful of steam locomotives, and 844 is the only steam engine in U.S. history that has never been dropped off the roster (though I think it's in for a major overhaul now).
So far as a Big Boy running again, the issues are how much money is available to bring it back, and where to run it once it is back, but it is possible. At least one Hollywood movie director has also considered it.
Nothing against the 4000's but personally, i'd like to see that 2-10-2 stored in the Cheyenne roundhouse restored to operation.
According to Wikipedia:
"There are no operable Big Boys, though Union Pacific announced in late 2012 that it is interested in acquiring a Big Boy to restore to operating condition. 4014 (on static display at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds) is the locomotive UP would like to restore."
Just finish to read Classic trains speaking about Big Boys an Challenger and see an insight page 8 which talk about a real possibility to see one of these monster put under steam again.
Did someone know more about this fabulous possibilities?
Marc from Belgium