By the way, I used to live in Sacramento and have been to the CSRM many times. Great museum and just about an hour's drive to wine country if one is so inclined.
4294 is so impressive in 1 to 1 scale. Just like any 16-drivered locomotive. But the uniqueness of the cab up front gives a visual impression of massiveness in my mind almost equal to Big Boy.
It would be great to see it in motion in person. Won't ever happen, but at least we have one saved to appreciate.
I used to play a game called "Further". You always threw the ball, Frisbee or whatever just a little bit farther over your opponent's head each time. The trick was to #1, always get to the game ball to make sure you were always making your opponent walk to the ball. And #2, not get caught playing this game by having your opponent realize what's going on.
Same me, different spelling!
Pickleball is half-sized tennis, played with a whiffle ball and paddles resembling racquetball racquets. It can be played in singles or doubles. Games go up to 11 points. It is an extremely popular game and is growing. It is a great way to keep moving and stay active. People of all ages are playing it.
Here is some information about it.
https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/
I am waiting for the California State Railroad Museum to run a tournament on the platform of 4294! (Tongue firmly in cheek.)
We played pickleball way back in high school. Who would have thought Mr. Action Jackson (and his 1980s shorts) was ahead of the curve? It was actually fun (and I'm no sports guy).
Racquetball seems to have died out, though.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
CSSHEGEWISCH What in heaven's name is pickleball??
What in heaven's name is pickleball??
Here you go, more than you'd ever want to know.
(It's more than I want to know! )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickleball
Erik_Mag, yes, absolutely the leading truck under the cab on the SP AC Cab Forwards was 4-wheel.
The reason I qualified leaving the 4-8-8-2 out of that short discussion in the sentence in parenthesis was because I was just providing some context information in response to the comment about the size of the front platform on the Big Boy relative to the size of the front platform on the front of regular Yellowstones and then the front of the Challenger.
Actually, it is probably worth noting that the size of the platform over the Cab Forward 2-wheel trailing truck (which would be the leading truck if flipped) is probably the biggest platform of all of the 16-drivered simple articulateds. One could probably fit a pickleball court back there!
http://steamlocomotive.com/locobase.php?country=USA&wheel=4-8-8-2
SP sure was pleased with their "reverse Yellowstones"!
Overmod Backshop Gordie was better than Wayne. Yes, but we're talking hair here.
Backshop Gordie was better than Wayne.
Yes, but we're talking hair here.
Gretzky would agree. He idolized Howe growing up and at one point said he would have picked Gordie as the best player ever.
His first two NHL teams (Edmonton and Los Angeles) are currently facing each other in the playoffs for the first time since Gretzky was a King. While the Oilers struggled to find their feet and lost Game 1 by a goal, they came roaring back and thrashed LA to the tune of 6-0 and 8-2 in Games 2 and 3.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
kgbw49 The four-wheel lead truck was the only four-wheel lead truck supplied with a North American 16-drivered simple articulated locomotive.
The four-wheel lead truck was the only four-wheel lead truck supplied with a North American 16-drivered simple articulated locomotive.
SP AC-X where X not equal to 9???
Seems to me that the 4 wheel truck on the cab-forwards was on the front of the engine, albeit where the firebox was where the smokebox was supposed to be....
Whenever I hear "Yellowstone" my mind naturally goes straight to Duluth. But those SP units are really growing on me.
BackshopGordie was better than Wayne.
The forward platform size for the lead truck of 4014 was determined in large part by two things - the four-wheel lead truck and the 68-inch drivers.
(There are 4-8-8-4 Garratts such as the 42 Australian 6001 class, and I am not counting the Southern Pacific Cab Forwards with 4 wheels under the cab in a 4-8-8-2 wheel arrangement - a "reverse Yellowstone".)
The 68-inch drivers were the largest ever mounted on a 16-drivered simple articulated locomotive.
For comparison, here are several 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone classes:
The Baltimore & Ohio had 64-inch drivers on their EM-1 class
Southern Pacific had 63.5-inch drivers on their AC-9 class
Northern Pacific had 63-inch drivers on their Z-5 class
Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range had 63-inch drivers on their M-3 and M-4 classes
It is worth noting that all of the Yellowstones also had lead trucks extending out from under the smokebox even with the smaller drivers and 2-wheel lead trucks.
http://steamlocomotive.com/locobase.php?country=USA&wheel=4-8-8-4
http://steamlocomotive.com/locobase.php?country=USA&wheel=2-8-8-4
http://steamlocomotive.com/whyte/2-8-8-4/USA/photos/bo7602.jpg
http://steamlocomotive.com/whyte/2-8-8-4/USA/photos/dmir225-excur.jpg
http://steamlocomotive.com/whyte/2-8-8-4/USA/photos/dmir225-barris1.jpg
https://members.lsol.net/mollyandmick/D227.htm
http://steamlocomotive.com/whyte/2-8-8-4/USA/photos/dmir221-gallagher1.jpg
http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/steam-02/3802_sp-steam-ac09-gene_deimling.jpg
http://steamlocomotive.com/whyte/2-8-8-4/USA/photos/sp3800.jpg
By comparison, the UP Challengers were able to pretty much tuck the lead truck under the smokebox, very much like a 4-8-4 or 4-8-2, so that for the most part only a small part of the lead truck - about the first axle - and the pilot extended out past the front of the smokebox.
https://steamlocomotive.com/locobase.php?country=USA&wheel=4-6-6-4
Overmod Lithonia Operator Really, whatever the heck was Jesus thinking? That he would have a hard time living up to Wayne Gretzky for modern Canadian respect?
Lithonia Operator Really, whatever the heck was Jesus thinking?
That he would have a hard time living up to Wayne Gretzky for modern Canadian respect?
Lithonia OperatorReally, whatever the heck was Jesus thinking?
Really, whatever the heck was Jesus thinking?
Still in training.
Lithonia OperatorTo me, on 4014, the platform ahead of the boiler is too long, speaking purely aesthetically...
Not that I disagree with the Jabelmann Challengers having better proportions, mind you.
Paul of Covington Ah, but to this beholder's eye, 3985 is the best looking one in the bunch.
Ah, but to this beholder's eye, 3985 is the best looking one in the bunch.
You can make a good case for that. To me, on 4014, the platform ahead of the boiler is too long, speaking purely aesthetically.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
I guess if I had to choose one to be made operable, it would be the 5511, as it is more different from 4014 than 3985 is.
Flintlock76 Lithonia Operator Could someone define "plinth?" Basically a large block that supports something else. Sometimes used for the base of a statue's pedestal, sometimes the base for something else. In the case of 3985 it would be the permanent display foundation.
Lithonia Operator Could someone define "plinth?"
Could someone define "plinth?"
Basically a large block that supports something else. Sometimes used for the base of a statue's pedestal, sometimes the base for something else. In the case of 3985 it would be the permanent display foundation.
Thanks, Flint.
zugmann Overmod At least they are giving them to a good home that won't 'plinth' them cold indefinitely... which is everything UP would consider over at least the next few years. I mean, that has yet to be seen. Hope for the best, don't be surprised by the worst? I think some people are getting their hopes way up for these engines.
Overmod At least they are giving them to a good home that won't 'plinth' them cold indefinitely... which is everything UP would consider over at least the next few years.
I mean, that has yet to be seen. Hope for the best, don't be surprised by the worst? I think some people are getting their hopes way up for these engines.
OvermodAt least they are giving them to a good home that won't 'plinth' them cold indefinitely... which is everything UP would consider over at least the next few years.
I'm glad I got see the 3985 back in July of 1993.. rode behind her from Denver to Laramie, with several stops enroute for photos.
I agree completely. I think this is great news even if it saddens me to see the Centennial depart permanently as part of the heritage fleet and the door closed to the 3985 returning as part of the steam program.
I had hoped 10-15 years down the road that they'd consider reversing her retirement and rebuild her in preparation of one of the others going down for overhaul. Then cycle a fleetmate out of service for a long-term overhaul and rinse and repeat the process indefinitely with two steamers on the active roster and the third under overhaul.
I wonder if there are eventual plans for a happy ending for the 838. Would be great to see her restored as a static display one day when she's finished as a parts source, although even that won't be an insignificant task with how picked over she is. Hopefully they've had the foresight to hold on to some of the 844's worn out parts like her side rods that were replaced by parts off the 838, to make the job easier.
Backshop Leo_Ames I suppose this means no museum in Cheyenne? UP had seemed to be moving towards that direction, with I believe the intention being that it would be housed in the roundhouse while the backshop would be used by the steam crew. ...and then came PSR... At least they are giving them to a good home and not just letting them deteriorate.
Leo_Ames I suppose this means no museum in Cheyenne? UP had seemed to be moving towards that direction, with I believe the intention being that it would be housed in the roundhouse while the backshop would be used by the steam crew.
I suppose this means no museum in Cheyenne? UP had seemed to be moving towards that direction, with I believe the intention being that it would be housed in the roundhouse while the backshop would be used by the steam crew.
...and then came PSR... At least they are giving them to a good home and not just letting them deteriorate.
While it appears that the equipment has gone to a 'good home'. My concern is if the good home will have or be able to develop the financial resources that will be necessary to pull off their intentions with the equipment. Restoring locomotives to legal operating condition is not a inexpensive undertaking. I suspect the reason UP has donated the equipment was that they didn't want to make the necessary expenditures to get the equipment to legally operable condition.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
A fascinating new chapter in 3985's history is about to unfold!
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