Big Boy #4004
Union Pacific 3985 Challenger class locomotive
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Big Boys and their toys.......
Three live steam lovomotives here in Southern Cal. I took this shot about 8-10 years ago.
Kevin
Three live steam lovomotives here in Southern Cal. I took this shot about 8-10 years ago.
Kevin
One of the Big Boys(4014)is on display here in California out in Pamona. It's supposedly being maintained to such a high standard that with a minimal amount of work the boiler could be fired and it could move under its own power, assuming it had someplace to go.
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
The 844 passing thru Reno on her way to California. I think it was for Rail Fair. This was at the Sparks yards...
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
My fav picture! The 844 in all her glory!
That same day my boss (Bill Clark for the record...) trekked thru the snow in the Sierra Nevadas and took the picture of a lifetime. Just wonderful! Apparently, it was quite a hike from the car to the overlook to snag this picture but worth it!
RCD[this post was last edited: 11/12/2012-16:04]
That same day my boss (Bill Clark for the record...) trekked thru the snow in the Sierra Nevadas and took the picture of a lifetime. Just wonderful! Apparently, it was quite a hike from the car to the overlook to snag this picture but worth it!
RCD[this post was last edited: 11/12/2012-16:04]
Beautiful pic, Drew! That would make a good Christmas card for a train buff.
I guess it's on the old Southern Pacific route through the Sierras? I remember reading they used to have miles of snowsheds to keep the line open in winter -- plus enormous rotary snowplows.
I guess it's on the old Southern Pacific route through the Sierras? I remember reading they used to have miles of snowsheds to keep the line open in winter -- plus enormous rotary snowplows.
You mean like this one on display in Skagway Alaska?
crevicetool
Well-known member
Let's not forget....
The first steam engine ever invented in the whole world, the one that drew my attention to steam power - The Hooterville Cannonball!
It's all fixed up now after Michael J. Fox drove it off of Eastwood Ravine...
It's by no means the largest locomotive, and it ain't even all that pretty - but for notoriety and endurance.....it will always be my favorite.
The first steam engine ever invented in the whole world, the one that drew my attention to steam power - The Hooterville Cannonball!
It's all fixed up now after Michael J. Fox drove it off of Eastwood Ravine...
It's by no means the largest locomotive, and it ain't even all that pretty - but for notoriety and endurance.....it will always be my favorite.
westingman123
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How funny!
The first thing I thought of was "There's Uncle Joe, he's a movin' mighty slow at the Junction; (Petticoat Junction)". Showing my age.
The first thing I thought of was "There's Uncle Joe, he's a movin' mighty slow at the Junction; (Petticoat Junction)". Showing my age.
westingman123
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Second thought
Isn't a steam whistle the most haunting, thrilling sound? I don't recall any steam engines, but as a small child we sometimes took the train from St. Louis to Cuba, Missouri to visit the family. To this day, I will travel by train if at all possible.
Awesome thread!
Isn't a steam whistle the most haunting, thrilling sound? I don't recall any steam engines, but as a small child we sometimes took the train from St. Louis to Cuba, Missouri to visit the family. To this day, I will travel by train if at all possible.
Awesome thread!
toploader55
Well-known member
Hey Kevin. Skagway, Alaska
I saw that exact SnoPlow/ Engine when O was there in 1997.
Also took the Narrow Gauge from Skagway to the Canadian Border and Back. There were some tressels that were sooo rickity and worn down I feared for my life they wouldn't collapse.
This is an Excellent Thread.
I saw that exact SnoPlow/ Engine when O was there in 1997.
Also took the Narrow Gauge from Skagway to the Canadian Border and Back. There were some tressels that were sooo rickity and worn down I feared for my life they wouldn't collapse.
This is an Excellent Thread.
nurdlinger
Well-known member
Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich
The big locomotive in that museum is a C&O "Allegheny" 2-6-6-6, not a UP "Big Boy". I first saw it there in 1960 when I was 11 years old and have been fascinated ever since.
It holds claim to some superlative metric, like it is the "heaviest locomotive" or something, as opposed to the Big Boy which holds another distinction.
en.wikipedia.org
The big locomotive in that museum is a C&O "Allegheny" 2-6-6-6, not a UP "Big Boy". I first saw it there in 1960 when I was 11 years old and have been fascinated ever since.
It holds claim to some superlative metric, like it is the "heaviest locomotive" or something, as opposed to the Big Boy which holds another distinction.
2-6-6-6 - Wikipedia
It seems the information on the locomotive at Dearborn is a little darker in outlook than our information on the oil-fired locomotives that are still running. Dearborn said it was converted to oil and that the conversion was not successful in practice.
I've seen videos of that rotary plow in action and it is dramatic as it creates a canyon through deep snow.
I've seen videos of that rotary plow in action and it is dramatic as it creates a canyon through deep snow.
The 844
Both of my grandfathers were railroad men in Chicago. One worked on the Pennsylvania and the other on the Rock Island. As a result, when I was young all cross-country travel was completed by rail. It was in my parents' blood, and it was way cheaper than flying.
My love for trains began at an early age. My first trip was when I was only a few years old, but I can still remember even back then that the locomotive pulling us between Chicago and Oakland was an old school steam engine and my eyes would lock on it as we rounded bends and I could see it from the coach window. Through viewing home movies and the reading I've done on Big Boys and their ilk and when they were retired, I'm fairly sure it was the same as the 844, if not the 844.
I love the way UP still embraces the yellow with red color scheme for their locomotives. I have always preferred the look of painted coaches and sleepers rather than those with boring stainless steel exteriors.
Speaking of snow sheds through the Sierras, they are still essential to keeping tracks clear over Donner Pass. I have been through them numerous times. Here is a picture taken from the old U.S. 40 over Donner Summit, showing a shed that snakes along the mountainside. This shot was taken in early June of 2010 and there was still a decent amount of snow on the ground at the 7,000 foot level.
Both of my grandfathers were railroad men in Chicago. One worked on the Pennsylvania and the other on the Rock Island. As a result, when I was young all cross-country travel was completed by rail. It was in my parents' blood, and it was way cheaper than flying.
My love for trains began at an early age. My first trip was when I was only a few years old, but I can still remember even back then that the locomotive pulling us between Chicago and Oakland was an old school steam engine and my eyes would lock on it as we rounded bends and I could see it from the coach window. Through viewing home movies and the reading I've done on Big Boys and their ilk and when they were retired, I'm fairly sure it was the same as the 844, if not the 844.
I love the way UP still embraces the yellow with red color scheme for their locomotives. I have always preferred the look of painted coaches and sleepers rather than those with boring stainless steel exteriors.
Speaking of snow sheds through the Sierras, they are still essential to keeping tracks clear over Donner Pass. I have been through them numerous times. Here is a picture taken from the old U.S. 40 over Donner Summit, showing a shed that snakes along the mountainside. This shot was taken in early June of 2010 and there was still a decent amount of snow on the ground at the 7,000 foot level.
Steam trains-another favorite vehicle-and those Big Boys were considered to be among the largest land vehicles built by man.I have some DVD videos of some of these-have to remember which.And some videos of snow removal using spreaders and Diesels-and another using the rotary steam engine plow pushed by steam locos on the narrow guage RR in Colorado-New Mexico.The snow these things have to tackle can be so thick it will stall the rotary-he has to make several approaches to get thru.for the spreader-pushed by two Diesel loco's the spreader arms and plows get BENT from the snow!The diesal plow trains have the spreader at each end so he doesn't get snowed in.Same with the rotary.The steam rotary plow is powered by its own steam engine and tender car.A crew is required to operate it.One man controls the throttle to operate the "wheel" impeller to plow the snow.The other crew members fuel the engine.Then you have the crews tending the locos.And they communicate to each other with the steam whistle signals.Those snow removal videos are fascinating to watch-the spreader ones are for Donner Pass in Northern California.One of the worst snow areas in the US.Would love a cab ride in any of these!!!These trains and prop airplanes are so interesting!Favorite vehicles!!And years ago a freind of mine and I followed a UP gas turbine powered UP locomotive coal train near Rapid City-this would have been over 30 yrs ago when UP was trying gas turbine locos.That train was hauling over 75MPH carrying a load of coal out of Wyoming to power stations south.Sounded kinda like an airplane-well the loco is powered by an Allison gas turbine engine--same as used on C130 airplanes.EMD built the locos-they were used only a short time-too expensive to use-Diesels are cheaper to use.Gas turbines are fuel hungry and require more specialized maintenance.The Gas turbine locos had tender cars-carry the fuel and lube oil.So neat to see one!!Was a thrilling sight.
Communicating with each other via steam whistle signals
Does anyone remember that whistle communication from Murder on the Orient Express as the plow train worked to free the OE from the avalanche? I guess that today they could use cell phones or two way radios.
Does anyone remember that whistle communication from Murder on the Orient Express as the plow train worked to free the OE from the avalanche? I guess that today they could use cell phones or two way radios.
ovrphil
Well-known member
Great pics and video! Love trains.
The Henry Ford was a frequent visit for me, as my employer sold and installed the point of sale machines to them, but more importantly, I enjoyed the museum and especially the Allegheny 1601 - made in Lima, Ohio.
Living near Royal Oak, MI, we always enjoyed the trains, but I have never seen a monster size steam engine run like that one in the video or anyone, for that matter, that size. Cool video - can't get started on trains, I'll be on Youtube til Christmas. Good comments.
Just curious - Launderess - so much background on trains - did you or your family work around trains? Your information is staggering.
The Henry Ford was a frequent visit for me, as my employer sold and installed the point of sale machines to them, but more importantly, I enjoyed the museum and especially the Allegheny 1601 - made in Lima, Ohio.
Living near Royal Oak, MI, we always enjoyed the trains, but I have never seen a monster size steam engine run like that one in the video or anyone, for that matter, that size. Cool video - can't get started on trains, I'll be on Youtube til Christmas. Good comments.
Just curious - Launderess - so much background on trains - did you or your family work around trains? Your information is staggering.
The big locomotive in that museum is a C&O "Allegheny
Nurdlinger: Oops, I stand corrected, thanks. All I remember is it was H U G E!!
By the way... the UP 844 was renamed, or renumbered if you will, it used to be the UP 8444.
Of course we cannot forget the Southern Pacific Daylight 4449....
Nurdlinger: Oops, I stand corrected, thanks. All I remember is it was H U G E!!
By the way... the UP 844 was renamed, or renumbered if you will, it used to be the UP 8444.
Of course we cannot forget the Southern Pacific Daylight 4449....
Then there is one of the most modern steam locomotive, one of the last ones built, the 1950 Norfolk & Western model J #611 . The "J's" have Timkin roller bearings among a number of other improvements.
