Follow along with Trains Editor Jim Wrinn in this third compilation video from Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014's Great Midwest Tour. This video focuses on Big Boy's trek through Iowa on its way to Mason City, Iowa.
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2019/07/big-boys-great-midwest-tour-to-mason-city-iowa
Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine
This is all nothing short of wonderful; properly executed corporate hubris is a boon for morale.
Not to look a gift iron horse in the mouth, where is the 6936? The tier 4 EMD is nice but backing up a Big Boy with a Centennial is epic.
Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak
I thought maybe they should use the E units as a back up for the trip.
When we got into Boone, they wanted to change out the UP8167 diesel helper for another unit that night. Because it got dirty following the steam engine.
We weren't able to because both us and the steam crew were running short on hours of service. They had to wait until the next day to make the changes.
Jeff
We need stories. Many more stories. I actually broke a tooth grinding my jaws in envy over this situation day before yesterday. TELL.
jeffhergertI thought maybe they should use the E units as a back up for the trip. When we got into Boone, they wanted to change out the UP8167 diesel helper for another unit that night. Because it got dirty following the steam engine. We weren't able to because both us and the steam crew were running short on hours of service. They had to wait until the next day to make the changes. Jeff
Presuming the 4014 'lost steam' or some other failure that would permit it to 'move without restriction' - what procedures would be used in operating the UP 8167 (or any other diesel in such service).
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Overmod We need stories. Many more stories. I actually broke a tooth grinding my jaws in envy over this situation day before yesterday. TELL.
Mod-man, maybe if you and I start doing novenas maybe Big Boy just might come east of the Mississippi!
The down side? While I believe all prayers are answered, sometimes the answer is "No."
It was rough enough finding out there's another Altoona out there!
I have faith that the Trek to Tennessee can be repeated by the larger power, and we'll get at least a short view across the river at some hopefully-not-too-future point. Already budgeted time for the 'nearest point of approach' this trip in West Chicago, around the 27th.
But what I want NOW are the road pilot stories and observed details.
The Johnsonville Bratwurst Big Taste Grill Tractor-Trailer rig will be setting up in Altoona.
I am pretty sure Leinenkugel's Brewery - home base Chippewa Falls, WI right up the road - will have a few tents set up for thirsty railfans to quaf a few cool and frothies.
Delta flies in to Eau Claire and Minneapolis-St. Paul International is only about 90 minutes away by car.
So you can have a brat from the World's Biggest Grill and wash it down with some of Wisconsin's finest while getting up close to the World's Biggest Steam Locomotive.
Here is the event schedule from the City of Altoona's web site:
https://www.ci.altoona.wi.us/events.phtml
By the way, the high school mascot is the Railroaders.
Altoona was the northernmost limit for the C&NW Class H 4-8-4 "Zepplins".
Altoona also hosted the heaviest Pacifics ever built in the Omaha Road's Class E-3 4-6-2.
So they have hosted some big iron in Altoona, WI in the past, but 4014 is the Biggest That Ever Was.
BaltACD jeffhergert I thought maybe they should use the E units as a back up for the trip. When we got into Boone, they wanted to change out the UP8167 diesel helper for another unit that night. Because it got dirty following the steam engine. We weren't able to because both us and the steam crew were running short on hours of service. They had to wait until the next day to make the changes. Jeff Presuming the 4014 'lost steam' or some other failure that would permit it to 'move without restriction' - what procedures would be used in operating the UP 8167 (or any other diesel in such service).
jeffhergert I thought maybe they should use the E units as a back up for the trip. When we got into Boone, they wanted to change out the UP8167 diesel helper for another unit that night. Because it got dirty following the steam engine. We weren't able to because both us and the steam crew were running short on hours of service. They had to wait until the next day to make the changes. Jeff
It's not only in case of a major failure, but also just to help if a little extra power or braking (dynamic braking) is needed. On my run and on the Boone to Mason City leg they only required a little dynamic braking in a few instances. They never needed the helper for power.
The diesel has the automatic brake cut out, the independent cut in. The steam engineer controls the air brakes. The reverser is forward, but the throttle or brake is used only on orders from the steam engineer.
Only once, when leaving Carroll while heading for the control point at East Carroll, was I instructed to hold the train at 15 mph with dynamics. We were running under train control (a restricting cab signal) and stopped at East Carroll for a few minutes. The 4014 doesn't have PTC but has exCNW's ATC and original UP CCS (cab signals).
I found the below in another forum from a former driver. You can believe it or not. I have seen the inside of a good size steamer and what they had to deal with as compared to a diesel. Don't forget where they have to sit in both locos.
"Having spent a lot of time in steam locomotive cabs as an engineer pilot during my WC days I can tell you it isn't much fun after the first hour or so. They ride rough, they are dirty, extremely noisey, and you constantly have to look out for dumb people on the track when moving and swarming all over when stopped. At the end of 12 hours you are exhausted and want to never see the thing again. But, for that first hour or so...it's a dream come true. This is the reason many steam engineers never looked back when steam went away and they began to enjoy the comfort, cleanliness and quiet of diesels."
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
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