Big Boy restoration

[Anonymous]

Does anyone no anything about the UP Big Boy that was suppose to be restored somewhere in Texas and then be used to make a movie? Out of all the remaining Big Boy's this one was suppose to be in the best shape for restoration. I remember years back reading about this but I don't remember anymore being said about it.
Larry

[Mookie]

And where did the one from Omaha go? It was in pretty good shape.

[Anonymous]

Jenny,
If I'm not mistaken, the one in Omaha near the Airport was Challenger not a Big Boy. It's still in the area, but not sure where they are going to put it after all the construction.
Larry

[Anonymous]

The movie was cancelled and we haven't heard anything more about. It would have been great to see it run and maybe doublehead with the UP Challenger.

[Anonymous]

the big boy that is in omaha and yes it is a big boy is now in denver temporary at the science museum along with a centenial where they are going i dont know if you want more info on the omaha big boy go to www.steamlocomotive.info the big boy (4018) was by far in the poorest shape for a resteration the movie was canceled due to $ problems on 4018 hope this helps farmall kid

[Soo2610]

Don't they have one of the Big Boys at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Il.?

[Mookie]

Thanx for info - I loved that engine and sorry to see it leave Nebraska! The Centennial was it's partner in the park and they made quite a nice display.

Jen

[Anonymous]

Len,
I remember a while back that there was a listing showing all the remainging Big Boys and where they are now and the condition that they are in. I'll see if I can dig it up and pass this to anyone that would want to know.
Larry

[dknelson]

I think there is a Big Boy at the National RR Museum in Green Bay Wisconsin. It is not in running order. I remember a Big Boy in Omaha that looked in excellent condition. I also recall reading that that movie fell through. At one time the UP was deciding whether to refurbish a Challenger or a Big Boy - they chose the Challenger both because it could go more places but also because some old timers reminded the UP that Big Boy was pretty notorious for starting trackside fires, and that efforts to convert Big Boy to oil fire were not successful. I recall various Big Boys were raided for parts to get the Challenger up and running. Speaking of Challengers up into the late 1960s the UP had a "stleath" Challenger stored that was used from time to time for snow melt duty -- in Lincoln? Cheyenne? Do not recall
Dave Nelson

[UPTRAIN]

There is a Big Boy in St. Louis at the NMOT National Museum of Transportation. I have rode ont he 3985 in the cab and the list of surviving Bog Boys is located at http://www.steamlocomotive.com

[Anonymous]

No Big Boys at the Illinois Ry Museum. The biggest steamer they have is N&W Y3A 2-8-8-2 #2050

[Soo2610]

Oh well. Thanks for the information.

[Anonymous]

There is a Big Boy at the Age of Steam Museaum, Fair Park (where the hold the State Fair) in Dallas, TX. Havn't been there in years so I don't know the condition.

[Anonymous]

the big boy in green bay is the best one to restore followed by the dallas big boy but the one that they picked was the worst one hope this helps farmall kid

[Anonymous]

I believe your "stealth" Challenger was the 3985, refitted for snow melting and renumbered to a MOW-type of number. There were pics of it in operation in late 1960s editions of Trains in the Railroad News Photos sections.

Check your collections...

Tom Klimczak
Lemont, IL

[Anonymous]

Stephan,
Thanks for the info. It sure would have been nice if they could have pulled this one off and restored one of them. Have seen many of the old videos of the Big Boys, but to see one in live action would have been great. I have seen UP challengers in live action but the Big boy would have been the icing on the cake.
Larry

[Anonymous]

Please do not take offence, I have read several articles on the Big Boy's. They damaged tracks, were expensive to maintane, Drank huge volumes of water and ate lots of Coal. I say leave them on display. (Could you imagine the Insurance bill to run one?)
TIM ARGUBRIGHT

[foamer4000]

The only Big Boy in Denver is at the Forney Museum. No DD40ax in Denver! The Challenger is actually easier to run than the Northern because the wheel base on the Challenger is shorter than the Northern. I imagine that a Big Boy would be as bad as a Northern or worse. DO not hold your breath on a double header with the 3985. The U. P. would never allow it. The Challenger used in snow melting was not the 3985. I will have to research the number.

[Anonymous]

the bigboy in dallas is 4018, it is the one they were going to restore for the movie. more info at http://www.bigboy4018.com.

[Anonymous]

they havnt up dated the web site since they stoped working on 4018 they gave up restoring her becuse they canceled the movie. farmall kid