Don't forget the big boy is the big boy. Thier was originally talk of a second party involvement in the project. Thank god up decide to go Thur with project. Let's not argue the best candidate. Up came forward with their cash. Its thier decision. Not a popularity contest.
The 12 member conventional cab AC9's were converted to oil in 1949 and transfered in 1953 to the Modoc line between Sparks, NV and Aturas, CA all were retired in 1956 and subsquently scrapped, they were outsiders on the Pacifc Lines being limited in their operating terriority and thus of limited value.
Dave
thomas81zMan how about AC-9's what happened to all of them??
They weren't cab-forwards and spent much of their time operating in New Mexico. I believe that they were all turned into razor blades.
It would be nice, but it's just a pipe dream. I once asked one of the docents/employees at the CSRM if there was any hope of that happening, and he just smiled and said "no". His reply was that the cab forward was far too valuable and if anything were to happen to it there would be no other cab forward to replace it, as all others have been scapped. For me, the only way I can see a cab forward operate is when I run my N scale version around my layout.
Best,
Jeff B
Sierra #3 cost over $1.2 million (it needed a new boiler).
I can't imagine how much the Big Boy will cost UP.
SP would needs to pony up many millions to restore their cab-forward; it certainly doesn't look got at this time.
UP 4014 was the best mechanically perserved low mileage/usage example, it was stored serviceable in the Green River roundhouse following class repairs until donated, Please no need for hitting below the belt. UP approached their decision in a methodical manner.
Eeven if funding and restoration forces could be obtained, The hard facts are that there is no place to operate on home rails that are not under UP control, I seriously doubt BNSF would be Interested and no museum line would want it either, nor would they want the responsibility of fuel cost, maintaince and insurance.
t's a moot point as the CSRM considers the 4294 too valuable an asset to part with.
By "Harder Worked" I meant that it may have been used longer and more often, meaning more hours on the boiler, which would have eventually worn out. I doubt that is was used THAT much more though. The boiler is probably VERY sound, the only times I've heard of a boiler needing replacement was when the locomotive had been in operation a LONG, LONG time. Usually 2-3 times as long as 429 was.
Maybe if a SP rail fan wins the lottery, there might just be enough to go around to the Cab-Forward. I'd like to see others be done though, as cool as 4294 is, she is ugly as far as steam goes. (At least in my opinion)
I recall a PR campaign by a Northern California radio announcer in the late 70's, early 80's who advocated the restoration of 4294 nothing came of it then, I seem to recall a boiler and mechanical inspection was conducted by the CSRM prior to movement to the roundhouse, it was found to be in sound condition.
S. ConnorBut I do believe that 4294 was worked harder than 4014, which would mean the boiler has the potential to be very worn out.
Probably wouldn't matter -- or would be only a small part of potential added expense.
It's not really likely that 'harder working' would cause the shell of the boiler to become 'worn out'. Meanwhile, you can assume that all the internals of the boiler would be removed in order for the required testing of the shell, and that most of the internals will need to be replaced or substantially 'worked over' (the expense being much more in the labor than the materials and tools) to get the boiler back in steam. I would agree that any missing piping, gauges, or even systems like feedwater heater components are replaceable, and are not nearly as serious a 'problem' as putting the major pressure and running-gear components of the locomotive back in safe working condition.
That the cab-forward is in 'no worse shape' than 4014 isn't really germane to the situation here. The Big Boy restoration is going to run into the multiple millions. With the railroad's support both in running expenses and in providing a place to operate so large a locomotive after the restoration is complete. Until those things are in place for the SP locomotive, there is effectively zero chance of seeing work to restore it to running condition undertaken. (In my opinion, but I suspect it is a well-justified opinion...)
It would be in no worse shape than 4014 because they've both been outside for the same amount of time, I bet you they're both in about the same condition, excluding the work UP did on the running gear of 4014. But I do believe that 4294 was worked harder than 4014, which would mean the boiler has the potential to be very worn out. Of course I could be wrong.
SP 4294 was an open-air display for years before the California State Railroad Museum moved it inside. I would opine that that it's in pretty poor shape internally.
4014 was out in the open for 50 years, The cab-forward is in a climate-controlled building, and kept much nicer, and missing parts can always be fabricated...... I think the only reason UP got 4014 was because it was the only Big Boy that they could get, no other rail museum would be dumb enough to get rid of theirs!!!! (Silly Southern California Chapter of the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society!!!)
I think the cab-forward would be easier to bring back, but UP didn't pick it for 3 reasons:
1-It's not Union Pacific, its Southern Pacific
2- It's not a big boy
3- The California State Railroad Museum isn't dumb enough to trade or sell it.
While the locomotive in the museum at Sacramento is externally complete, there are a number of items and pipes missing from the cab, possibly removed to fit to other locomotives during the last days of steam operation. I asked about a couple of items but the guide didn't know what items were missing or what their purpose was. There might well be a lot more work restoring the Cab Forward than in 4014. UP were able to choose the loco in the best condition in the case of 4014.
M636C
Sorry, I think a Big Boy is enough for them to do!!!
Since it's an SP and not a UP locomotive I can't see UP having any interest in doing so. This is not to say a private party might give it a shot in the future but there'd be the usual problems in fundraising plus having a place to run it when the work's done.
No.
ML
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