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

[superturbine]

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/union-pacific-railroad-acquires-big-boy-locomotive-no-4014-216640281.html

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/union-pacific-railroad-acquires-big-boy-locomotive-no-4014-216640281.html

Now will you buying an Athearn Big Boy?


LONG LIVE UP STEAM

Jason Smith

[SP-Wolf]

WOW!!!

This is great news!!! Not a fan of the current UP- but - UP- You guys rock!!

Thanks,
Wolf

[up1950s]

Well that just made up for the over zealous UP copyright vs model railroading usage kick in the plums . All Alco super steam trifecta . Going to have to do what they tried and failed with 4005 , make her an oilier that works satisfactorily well .

[Leggy]

Athearn will be jumping for joy now, they can add excursion service version of 4014 to their lineup....

Honestly, I'm 22 and even I didn't think I'd see a Big Boy restored to running condition in my lifetime.

[C855B]

Just so there's absolutely no doubt, here is the announcement on UP's site:

http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/heritage_and_steam/2013/0723_4014.shtml

I am, frankly, stunned.

[wcfn100]

What did they end up getting in return?


Jason

[up1950s]

What did they end up getting in return?


Jason

My respect .

[superturbine]

What did they end up getting in return?


Jason

It was rumored to be some nice SP passenger cars and money.

[jdcolombo]

This is pretty amazing.  For a major publicly-held corporation to invest like this in its heritage is practically unheard of these days.

What parts of the system can it run on, given its size?  I assume it can be turned on a wye, but it's a coal-burner, right? (Will they convert it to oil?  Didn't they try that with one of the Big Boys and it was a failure?)

Got to say I'm very impressed with UP.  I never thought it would happen in a million years.  And I can't wait to see this beast back in steam.

Now the NS needs to get back in the steam business.  Love to see the J back in service . . .

John C.

[CBQ Fan]

I heard they are going to convert it to E-85!!   

I do think this is really cool though!!

[superchief]

being a Santa Fe guy it is hard to say buy WAY TO GO UNION PACIFIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I was very lucky to get a guided tour of the steam shops back in May this year, the shop was very busy working on #844 getting her ready for her next trip, after the UP150 tour they had placed about 5 times the normal miles they would in one year. With that said the crew was busy going thru everything on the engine, they do not have a huge crew but the craftsmanship of the work I saw was out of this world!!!!!!!!!! Ed Dickens the manager was very polite and our guide showed us everything in the back shop and the roundhouse. Union Pacific should be proud of its steam crew, they are ambassadors of these historic machines and keepers of the FLAME!!!!!!! I can not wait to "SEE" a BIG BOY running down the main line!!!!!!!! Hats off to these guys, keep the steam alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Gordon

[RWCJr]

This Santa Fe to the core guy is sooooo excited to hear this news!
Robert

[NorsemanJack]

This is simply amazing news.  I remember rumors of another Big Boy restoration about ten years ago, but those quickly evaporated.  I'm especially excited that UP is the one doing this, as they have the resources, skills and knowledge necessary to make it a success.  So how many of us will make the trek (pilgrimage??) to Wyoming to see this guy make his first run?  I dare say we're all UP fans today! 

[wcfn100]

It was rumored to be some nice SP passenger cars and money.

I hope it's more than that.

Jason

[robert3985]

A whole bunch of Utah model railroaders will show up in Cheyenne when 4014 makes her first run, I will guarantee that!

Yup, it'll get converted to oil, which is okay, but this time they'll use more than a single burner as they did with the 4005 to get the fire even.  Won't be a difficult conversion.  Big question with the 4005 always was, "why didn't they just add more burners?"....'cause the handwriting was on the wall, steam was on its last legs and it wasn't worth the effort for only a few of the 25 Big Boys.

Since I am a SUPF and I model the Big Boy, Challenger and FEF era and the grade the BB's were designed for, I am more than ecstatic!!!  All I can do is repeat WOW!!!