UP just published its latest update on Big Boy 4014. Personally, I found the video fascinating!
Enjoy!
Thanks awesome
Massive, indeed! It's something that the UP saved and are working from the original builder's drawings.
54light15 Massive, indeed! It's something that the UP saved and are working from the original builder's drawings.
With better materials and better machine work many parts should last for many more miles than original ?
[quote user="blue streak 1"]
With better materials and bettermachine work many parts should last for many more miles than original ?
[/quote] Noted: from the OP's enclosed link:
FTL "...But parts have been revised, reengineered and redrawn over the years to be more durable,” Dickens said. “The revised drawings indicate all the trial and error built into the system. We made our parts to the latest state-of-the-art drawings. We don’t want to alter their weight or function. We just want to create pieces that last.”
Steam Team Foreman General Austin Barker uses a computer-aided design (CAD) program during the design process. "It allows us to observe how each part moves and interacts with adjacent components," he said. "These drawings are used to create castings for new metal parts."..."
Would it be safe to say 4014 will be in better shape than when turned out 'new' by ALCO in the 1940's?
I hope that when 4014 is out and ready to run, the UP will send her out with a Dynometer Car, and some heavy trains. It would be of much interest to see current performance numbers, against the original 1940's performance stats.
Well, with the UP running 10,000 foot trains regularly now that they are going to be doing Precision Scheduled Railroading, maybe it could pull a manifest or two from Cheyenne to North Yard and back. I don’t know how busy that main line segment is in terms of train count, but if 4014 could control a diesel or two in DPU maybe they could pull that off. I would also expect one or more diesels such as 1943 behind the canteen for protection, but letting the 4014 do the work. 4014 would be covered in glory if that could happen! The BOAT - Biggest Of All Time - will be an attention-getter wherever he goes!
samfp1943 Would it be safe to say 4014 will be in better shape than when turned out 'new' by ALCO in the 1940's?
It seems to me that UP's goal is to complete this rebuild in a way that will prevent them from ever having to do a teardown of this magnitude again. Between the limited use 4014 will see in its next life (as opposed to almost daily use in its first life), and the VIP treatment it will receive while in service, it's safe to say these new components will live far longer than the ones they are replacing.
kgbw49 Well, with the UP running 10,000 foot trains regularly now that they are going to be doing Precision Scheduled Railroading, maybe it could pull a manifest or two from Cheyenne to North Yard and back.
Well, with the UP running 10,000 foot trains regularly now that they are going to be doing Precision Scheduled Railroading, maybe it could pull a manifest or two from Cheyenne to North Yard and back.
What a sight that would be!
Dynamic braking from trailing diesels would really help control a train of that size. It is not a fun day when CN assigns units without DB to a train of that length.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Maybe, the 4014, could pull a up passenger train, including thier E 9's. Or the 844.. so many intriging possibilities. This will get interesting.
This attached photo of 4014’s tender dated March 16, 2019 would seem to indicate that 3985’s tender will be used by 4014 for the foreseeable future.
http://www.railpictures.net/photo/691780/
Here is a short video of an 844-3985 double header in 1999 portending things to come.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3K2uyA9h8b4
Most likely it's easier to use 3985's tender for the time being since it's already set up for fuel oil.
4014's tender can be converted as time permits since 3985 isn't going anywhere for now.
Actually, it makes it almost more historically accurate from the standpoint of the fact that back in the day of regular steam operations, tenders were swapped quite regularly. Get the locomotives back out there turning revenue miles with whatever tender is ready to go when the locomotive is outshopped.
So, UP will have 4014 out on the road with 3985’s tender and 3977’s oil fuel bunker.
Here is a link to an interesting black-and-white silent film titled “Big Boy and It’s Brothers” that has some unique footage of 4-12-2, Jabelmann 4-6-6-4, 4-8-4, and Big Boy locomotives.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UQi1TpCgfiw
Yeah, they're going to have enough "new" things to worry about and 3985's tender is already battle hardened so why not use it?
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
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