Its official.... UP to restore BIG BOY 4014

[up1950s]

I'm trying to figure out why you're not "full-happy"??  The POS MRC decoder that had a wireless remote control was BAD, both from an operational standpoint and a sound standpoint (ask me, I've replaced a few of 'em before they melted my tenders on both Big Boys and Challengers). 

The "new" decoder is a Soundtraxx Tsunami TSU-4664N and I am completely happy with both the stock ones in my new Big Boys and Challengers as well as the ones I've replaced the old POS MRC decoders with, which is only logical since they're the same except for perhaps the sound files which may be a bit different...particularly the whistle choices.

"New" TSU decoders were installed in the run previous to this last run also, as Athearn really lost money on the bad POS MRC decoders when they'd fry themselves and the tenders too.

If you're running DC, you don't get wireless control with the new decoders (wireless control with the POS MRC decoders was spotty at best so you needed to make sure you always had the engine in sight, ready to stop it by hand when necessary), but the sound and running qualities are exponentially better than what MRC provided.  With models equipped with the POS MRC decoders, you could only run one engine on your DC layout at a time (unless one was parked on a siding with the power toggled off), because the wireless controllers work on the same radio frequency for ALL the early Athearn BB's and Challengers...so, they'd all start up at the same time, whistle at the same time, chuff at the same time, etc., etc. Also, they were nearly impossible to program, and I could never get them to start smoothly...and...the "choo-chee-choochoo choo-chee-choochoo..." sound really really bugged me.

The only complaint I have with the TSU-equipped BB's and Challengers as they come stock from Athearn are the CV settings, which I immediately change on my programming track after initial testing...and I am "full-assed happy" with the Soundtraxx decoders...especially after experiencing the old POS MRC decoders.

I have one like-new MRC equipped Big Boy which I haven't converted yet, with remote.  If you'd like, I'll trade you straight across for your Soundtraxx equipped BB.  OR...I have several MRC decoders from the first runs that are good (with remotes).  I'd trade you straight across for your Soundraxx decoder.  I'm serious.

Wow , didn't know about the tender getting the hots . I appreciate the offer but you convinced me to be full assed happy with what it is .

[up1950s]

Very cool, I wonder if they are going to renumber SD70m 4014.

It would suck if the made 4014 into 40144 .

[magicman_841]

And I thought chasing 3751 was scary enough. 

 

[C855B]

It would suck if the made 4014 into 40144 .

At worst it might be sublettered UPP. But I think given the tens of millions this venture is going to cost, renumbering an otherwise anonymous SD70m has got to be the least of their concerns.

[up1950s]

At worst it might be sublettered UPP. But I think given the tens of millions this venture is going to cost, renumbering an otherwise anonymous SD70m has got to be the least of their concerns.

True enough , but they thought less of  Northern 844 , granted that was at a time when ghosts of steam whistles still echoed off of mesas to those who listened maybe too hard for them .

[Robbman]

Yes. https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=30082.0

No, no a thousand times NO.  The J isn't being touched, nothing is being built. 

  A fundraising campaign has been authorized and started, but if the funds aren't raised, the J sits, period. 

Moral of the story, DONATE!!!!  Please!!!  We can make it happen, we've worked long and hard to get to this point (getting the City of Roanoke to transfer ownership, etc), but the real effort has just begun.  We need your help, each and every one, and we need it now to make this long planned dream become a reality.  So again, PLEASE DONATE!!!
 

[C855B]

True enough , but they thought less of  Northern 844 , granted that was at a time when ghosts of steam whistles still echoed off of mesas to those who listened maybe too hard for them .

How about if they took 4014-the-diesel, gave it a good freshening-up, and dispatched it to Pomona as the tow vehicle? Nah... SD70m's aren't Tier II, and SCAQMD would go apoplectic in the wake of the publicity and 1000's of photos documenting the "illegal" event. Party poopers.

[VonRyan]

No, no a thousand times NO.  The J isn't being touched, nothing is being built. 

  A fundraising campaign has been authorized and started, but if the funds aren't raised, the J sits, period. 

Moral of the story, DONATE!!!!  Please!!!  We can make it happen, we've worked long and hard to get to this point (getting the City of Roanoke to transfer ownership, etc), but the real effort has just begun.  We need your help, each and every one, and we need it now to make this long planned dream become a reality.  So again, PLEASE DONATE!!!

The whole 611 campaign scares me. They keep talking about how the thing was stored so well so that it wouldn't deteriorate, yet they need a butt-load of money to make it steam again... sounds like someone fouled up somewhere...


-Cody F.

[C855B]

The whole 611 campaign scares me. They keep talking about how the thing was stored so well so that it wouldn't deteriorate, yet they need a butt-load of money to make it steam again... sounds like someone fouled up somewhere...

Boiler safety regulations have changed considerably since the 611 went into what was supposed to be operable storage. What would pass then with adequate margin isn't enough now. The boiler will have to be stripped down and possibly even built as new, or "better-than-new" to meet current regs. Ain't cheap.

[up1950s]

They could sell the 4014 diesel and give to moo-la to the Pomona museum . Or renumber D 4014 to the back of that roster block . I have read that the UP regards numbers as not such a big deal , " pp we can put any number on that we want , or re-number as we desire " . True that , but they do tend to respect numbers in many cases .

[Robbman]

The whole 611 campaign scares me. They keep talking about how the thing was stored so well so that it wouldn't deteriorate, yet they need a butt-load of money to make it steam again... sounds like someone fouled up somewhere...

-Cody F.

611 was never stored in operable condition... she was prepped for long-term storage... two VERY different things. 

[C855B]

Ah. Thanks for the clarification. What is the major distinction, then?

[pnolan48]

Boiler safety regulations have changed considerably since the 611 went into what was supposed to be operable storage. What would pass then with adequate margin isn't enough now. The boiler will have to be stripped down and possibly even built as new, or "better-than-new" to meet current regs. Ain't cheap.

Exactly my point earlier. I believe the boiler now has to pass stringent X-ray and ultrasound inspections to be certified for running, and that these inspections are themselves quite costly. And that old boilers don't stand a chance of passing. Operable condition does not necessarily mean certified. A few of the historical societies I've known (i.e., done some fundraising writing for) have been sorely disappointed once they learned what it takes to get an old steamer certified.

[C855B]

Yes. This is what shut down the Frisco 1522. It was already marginal under the old regs, and just impossible after the changes.

[VonRyan]

Exactly my point earlier. I believe the boiler now has to pass stringent X-ray and ultrasound inspections to be certified for running, and that these inspections are themselves quite costly. And that old boilers don't stand a chance of passing. Operable condition does not necessarily mean certified. A few of the historical societies I've known (i.e., done some fundraising writing for) have been sorely disappointed once they learned what it takes to get an old steamer certified.

Locomotive boilers were more often than not built to withstand 4-5x their intended operating pressures. Boilers for large scale live steam (5" gauge and up) are built to withstand 10x their intended operating pressures, but it gets dodgy when you start talking about home-built (we would say scratchbuilt).
I can understand regular ultrasound and/or X-ray inspections of the boilers and any parts under pressure and/or operating stresses, but to be so exacting with these regulations is absurd, especially when the historical societies are generally more knowledgeable about their locomotive(s) than any bureaucrat behind a desk.
If it has nothing to do with any federal tax revenue, then all the people coming up with these "regulations" should go take a hike.



-Cody F.