The Goings On at U.P. Steam

[scrapyardape]

For anyone that may be interested, this past summer the Union Pacific Railroad's steam program has began a major restoration project on locomotive #4014, one of the famous 4-8-8-4 "Big Boys". The goal is to get her running in three to five years. I've been a steam junkie all my life, so this is very exciting for me.

The locomotive is currently in Pomona, CA where it has been on display for many years. Prep-work has been underway since July for an eventual move to the steam shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The progress can be followed on the Steam Program's website and on their YouTube Channel.
Now if only I can keep myself from puffing my pipes like a locomotive.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I think that's pretty cool. Who doesn't like seeing one of those old monsters huffing and puffing down the railroad like a giant, iron, pissed off bull?

 

[4dotsasieni]

Boy, does that bring back memories! When I was a kid, growing up in Cleveland, my long-suffering mother would, at my insistence, drive me down to the New York Central Collinwood yards, in the worst part of town, so I could watch the steam locomotives being serviced, and the trains going by. There was also a huge roundhouse.
We've got a fairly large collection of old locos and rolling stock here in Snoqualmie, WA, but they're in pretty bad shape. I'm glad to see UP taking an active role in restoring these old classics.

 

[scrapyardape]

On a related note: There is also an effort underway to restore N&W #611, a drop-dead gorgeous streamlined J-Class 4-8-4 that had a brief life as an excursion loco in the 80's and early 90's. She's been in a museum since '94. So far they are only at the fundraising stage. This is another one I'd really like to see come back to life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6lWBp2APrQ

 

[pylorns]

Oh wow, very cool. I have to add this to my places to visit/check out.

 

[scrapyardape]

The move to Cheyenne will begin soon. Temporary track being laid for the start.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUH4Uu0Moqs

 

[crazypipe]

I had myself a good old time watching all the train videos, great post :D

 

[scrapyardape]

It is a shame that I live in Florida sometimes. CSX pretty much controls this state rail-wise and won't allow any steam on its rails at all. (some cockamamie excuse about insurance that none of the other railroads seem to have) So I live by the videos and the very rare road trip to see the working steamers.

 

[jkenp]

Most of my youth was in Hammond, Indiana. Made famous by Gene Shepard as Hohman. Never saw the leg lamp but steam engines were everywhere. I lived a block from the Erie yard and, if it snowed, snow would be covered in black soot before noon. They were impressive beast though as they tied up crossing during rush hours. They had a unique smell they offered that only nostalgia could make pleasant.
I spent a winter in Benson, AZ and that was interesting. The long freights would drop a scoop to pick up "Water on the Fly" to get ready for what was just down the tracks -- a record type grade. Heavier, it paralleled a track where a small but powerful engine raced ahead of the engine and connected to it to help it over the grade. A while later it would come back down to wait for the next one. Took some pretty good engineers to pull that off every time.

 

[scrapyardape]

1225 is a rare gem, duckfat. I think there is only one other operating Berk in the country.(Nickel Plate Road #765)

 

[scrapyardape]

A significant update on the move:
http://www.up.com/newsinfo/community_ties/2014/january/0110_doerr-interview.shtml
4014 is scheduled to be moved to Colton starting Jan 26th. This will be the first time she has been on mainline track in over 50 years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TWLn5kF2C4

 

[pylorns]

Awesome!

 

[lonestar]

Very cool !

 

[scrapyardape]

Quick update.. the move to Colton began today. She'll be kept there till at least late March before the move to Cheyenne begins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7uElUxkTTQ

 

[ravkesef]

She's a beauty, for sure. We took our honeymoon by train. Love 'em. I have to travel from CT to DC regularly for meetings, and I always take the train. A few years ago I visited the railway museum in Sacramento. What a glorious day that was. May we Americans will get smart one of these days and build a truly first rate high speed rail system that will show the world what Americans can do and give us premier transportation in our own country. Anybody here enjoy traveling by air these days?

 

[sablebrush52]

Beautiful machines! Two of my favorite books are O Winston Link's Life Along The Line and Steam Steel and Stars.

 

[tuold]

Locomotives were huge at my house as a kid. My dad was a steam engineer for Disneyland for many years. Besides the four engines they had their, he also worked on the Mark Twain Steamboat.
Not the most flattering picture of him, but I suppose this is where he spent a lot of his time =)