WILLIAM A GIBSON JRDo not forget the UP 4-6-2s. There is two of these, still around. wag216
Isn't at least one of these a Vauclain compound? I know at least one of them originally was.
To reactivate a Pacific, you'd need a modern one like the #3234, and why go with the lighter-pulling engine when we have the Northern?
There simply is no reason for UNP to resurrect these older engines -- assuming they even could be, given that they've been outdoors for decades.
If you want a ride behind an old UNP locomotive, wangle a ride on the Heber Valley tourist local. They have one of the later Consolidations and were still in business the last I checked.
The tender issue for 5511 in theory could be addressed if any of the original rectangular ex C&O tenders still exist. Most went to SP and ended up behind AC9 2-8-8-4 cab forwards. According to Kratvile's book the War Engines, somehow three such tenders survived the steam era somewhere on UP as work train cars/maintainance of way. Reason to find it? For those not totally familiar with 2-10-2 history on the UP, at least three 2-10-2's were re equiped with these tenders at some later point in their careers! Great compromise if a larger tender was an issue. However, they could always consider enlarging the exisitng oil bunker of 5511's exisitng tender and use a smaller water compartment since most UP steam trains today use a water bottle. More than one way to skin a cat.
The real issue is just, what do they need it for? It is a drag engine. Would therefor be an ego engine just to say we can. The drivers pound rails too much to be a practical excursion engine, so running at speed tears up track and the engine. We can always dream. Have heard rumors that some in the steam program have drooled over 5511 before!
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