Why didn't UP run 4014 up the Tehachapi Loop? I mean, the greatest railroad engineering structure hosting Big Boy would have been a HUGE PR gold mine. I get it if the radius of the loop were too small, but to see that massive locomotive clawing its way up the Tehachapi Pass along the UP Mojave Subdivision from Bakersfield to Mojave would have been quite the sight to see. Plus, that big engine in the railroad town of Tehachapi would have made quite a draw.
Am sure UP knows it would be a huge p.r. event but there is very little public land near the loop and people would be trespassing all over railroad and private property to get the best photos and peolpe getting hurt and sueing one another, the land owners and the UP. Only a narrow two lane road to the area and that would be so crowded and everyone racing others to get to best spots and locals using the road there are sure to be many accidents.
Probably something to do with the curves. It's up in the air whether it will come to St. Louis or not, as UP yard near downtown had a problem with #3985. The wheels had to be greased to get her in the right spot, had a curve and hard to handle. Heard that from a worker who was there. #4014 is larger, my friend who knows Ed Dickens has asked for us in St. L and he said if it can be done, it will. They want to visit cities with a Big Boy which we have at our MOT. They have to evaluate all places that are not the standard easy stop. I agree the Loop would have been great, but logistics probably played a part in this. Friends and I saw #4014 in Ogden and racing thru Echo just by chance. Got to keep up with the train for 25 mins or so and great pics and vids. Also went to W.Chicago as we could not close to the engines at Ogden. And local railfan group went to KC a few weeks ago, I went too so I could see my friend who knows Ed and lives near there. She was able to have some long talks with him and get info.
I think 4014 this year and 3985 in 2002 both had to move incredibly carefully in and out of the siding in WeGo.
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