No. 4014's train near Caliente, Nev.
CALIENTE, Nev. – It’s late, and I’ve just gotten into my motel in Milford, Utah, and I should be sleeping, but before I do, I’m going to jot down a few things about Thursday’s hospital train move for Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014. So much happened.
First off, what a day. The steam crew was ready to go early, but the road crew arrived a few minutes late, which set back the 7 a.m. scheduled departure to 7:22 a.m. That is no biggie in a day carded at 11 and a half hours from Las Vegas to Milford, Utah. But then the dispatcher had two stack trains and a local to clear up before No. 4014’s entourage could get outside of the Vegas suburbs. By the time, the train reached Caliente, it was 3 hours late. The 4014’s train went into the hole twice more for overtakes. As I wrote this at almost midnight, they’re still out there, plodding along in the darkness. Another long day today awaits, but thank goodness the engine is on static display in Salt Lake City on Saturday.
Second, one of the side benefits of chasing a steam locomotive, even a famous and much beloved but dead one, is that it takes you to places you’ve never seen before. Case in point: Meadow Valley Wash. I’ve heard about it for a long time, and I’ve seen impressive photos of it, but none of them come close to the grandeur and gorgeous scenery that abound here. It is a true miracle that UP keeps this main line in excellent condition in a difficult environment that is prone to flash flooding – even on dry Thursday the 4014 motorcade forded the wash at a location beneath a UP bridge.
Display stop at Moapa, Nev.
Third, UP’s special agents were out in force keeping folks back from the tracks. One man at Apex, Nev., declined to heed the agent’s public address loudspeakers to come down from the end of a bridge abutment, and last I saw he was being quizzed by two of UP’s police force. As he should be.
Fourth, No. 4014’s double sets of siderods are truly impressive, flailing away in an exaggerated fashion that is almost comical but completely mesmerizing to watch. Several times I watched the engine go by and thought just how much it and a long-legged praying mantis have in common.
Rolling north near Carp, Nev.
Fifth, our special issue, Big Boy on the Road to Restoration, is a hit with visitors to the locomotive. The RailGiants Museum, which traded the UP for the 4014, is the vendor for the trip and sold out of their first allotment. I’m happy to say, they are already restocked.
That’s the story from the desert. More tales to come, I know for sure.
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