UP 4014

Well the Pennsy T1 folks are knocking out individual engineering drawings as fundraisers (a creative idea, that), so maybe I'll drop the UP a line.

Brilliant updates from Cheyenne. Ye gods! With more plumbing than all three suriving Riddles 'Pacifics' put together, UP4014 is one complicated piece of kit!

Previously, I've never had too much interest in US Class I railroads, but to my great surprise, I find I'm really loving this restoration and especially the way the team are keeping us enthusiasts abreast of progress. Can't wait to see 4014 let loose on the rails and I strongly suspect the media savvy UP management won't be able to long resist the temptation to run at least a couple of regular freight turns with the loco, once it's properly bedded in.

Evidence of interst from TV stations and some very decent turnouts seen in several places on many video clips during 4014's journey home to Cheyenne suggests 'Middle America' seems to be slowly waking up to it's outstanding railway engineering heritage.

 

Another short update, giving information on tubesheet installation

 

Already done on post #178

 

Ah soz! Thought id just post it up as I saw it today. I havnt been following this thread, but i might start now. The scale of this thing is unreal!

 

Isn't it just .... I've seen umpteen shots of folk working inside a firebox before, but I don't recall any interview - complete with camera and sound men - conducted in one before!

That replacement tube plate has got to be a serious step forward for restorations over the pond (and it's not every day you get to congratulate someone on their flanging skills!) .... Hats off to the team at Cheyenne.

 

Thanks for the link.
I must have "seen" it before, but not got it: this loco has a small flue superheater, i.e. what the Americans call an E-type superheater (and the Germans "Kleinrohr").
In the drawing they show there are 75 tubes, 2 9/64" dia. and 184 flues 3.65" dia.
But in the specs I have seen on the internet the Big Boy boiler is usually given as A-type superheater (normal, large flues) and a evaporating surface that is bigger for the tubes that for the flues (which i snot the case for E-type boilers).
Does anyone know more about this? Was the A-type original, and E-type rebuilds or what?
Was this type used in the UK?

This picture I took inside a narrow gauge loco in Java more than 15 years ago. There are different ways to arrange the headers and the superheater elements.

 

Well UP have committed to running in 2019, with 4014 and UP844, a update is here :-

The pair coming together celebrate the anniversary of the golden Spike ceremony.

https://www.up.com/aboutup/community/inside_track/steam-update-05-07-2018.htm

 

What with the increased media savvy of the UP's upper echelons, this anniversary could well turn out to be a 'biggie' (think 'Supersize Rainhill 150' with coast-to-coast 21st century coverage, though for the US, it goes well beyond mere transport, to the core of the nation's psyche). If it were down to me, I'd be working on an email campaign to history teachers at every school in the states, starting yesterday, to ensure the widest possible awareness of this key historic event.

 

Worth watching through this link, although the presentation is dragged out a bit.



Some really interesting engineering pieces etc....

 

Small official update from UP Steam Shop here:-

 

Its been a while but a new update has appeared, with the front engine about complete.



The size of castings and engineering is mighty impressive.

 

That gentlemen is how they do that.

 

You can subscribe to the Union Pacific web site, especially for those interested in North American railways.

 

Only just noticed this post. The article in the February 1942 issue of the Locomotive Magazine on the new locos states that there were 75 2 1/4" tubes and "for the type E superheater" 184 4" flues. I am not aware of type E superheater on a loco used in the UK (but it is possible). The Vulcan Foundry 4-8-4s for China of the type in York Museum had type E superheaters when built (in 3 1/2" diameter flues).

 

I later found out that the first series of 20 Big Boys in 1941 had the E-type. While the last 5 in 1944 had the A-type. Thus they considered the A-type to be more economical.

 

I`m reading in the Railway Magazine that first railtour with no. 4014 seems to happen first in 2020 and not next year as planned...

Knut

 

Not all that unusual in this business, in fact more the norm I'd say? It'll be well worth the wait I'm sure

 

You are of course right Sheff, after all we talking about a 560 tons giant, not a 'small '170 tons P2

Knut

 

Whilst that would not surprise me, I think its a UP request for her and UP844 to be together for the 100th anniversary at or near Promontory Summit on May 10th.

Looking at the last update, although the front engine was as near complete, the rear one, and lots more was left to do.

That said, a lot can happen in 3 months, and no mention is made on the UP site (the one I would expect to announce a delay), lets wait and see what happens.

A ride behind her is already on my bucket list for 2020.