UP 4014

US & Canada will never match up to the Uk for heritage railways or gatherings , but we have to be glad for anything that s available , talking of 142 s --- if we must , we had one here in Canada in 1986 for the Expo that year - 142049 - much to the amusement of the Canadian crews & yes it did nod very well on our track here .........

 

Even some weird copper-capped thing would be preferable to the rubbish FGW turn out for us…

Anyway, back on topic - am following this with interest (I used to live in LA) so thanks to everyone posting updates. I'm impressed by UP's official videos - admirably clear and a model of good communication. And whatever my normal locomotive preferences - there really is something about a Big Boy!

Tom

 

Hopefully UP will put out more video s of their actions as they head to Cheyenne , will post if I find any ....

 

Sacramento railfair was a good show back in 1999, I recall 4449,844,3985 + several others being there...

Had a weird de ja vu moment there.. in 2001 I was in Fusti Musuem in Budapest and bought a second hand hungarian railway magazine, which had an article on the Sacto fair.. there in one of the photos of 4449 was me in the back ground taking a picture of another loco..

 

Really de ja vu! -- was also at Sacramento in 1999 -- that was a great show .

 

Just to recap for those who didn t get all the info from yesterday ' Big Boy #4014 departed the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds at 2:45am, on Sunday, January 26, 2014. It arrived at the Metrolink station in Covina at 4:34am, and departed at 8:08am, after its public display. Big Boy #4014 arrived at Union Pacific’s West Colton facility in Bloomington at 1:08pm. Big Boy was escorted by locomotive U.P. #4884 and Southern Pacific Heritage locomotive U.P. #1996.' -- Great start to the journey to Cheyenne .....

 

Good video of the whole consist heading out yesterday in California

 

Mmmmm is the tender a poor man's support coach...UK support crews don't know they're born......bit breezy....particularly as it gets further north with the severe weather promised from the arctic mid week....can't see them staying there....keep up the news, again most welcome and appreciated.

 

" Mmmmm is the tender a poor man's support coach...UK support crews don't know they're born " --- after the deal for the loco , they could not afford a support coach , so next best thing ! --- think this was the easiest way to ride to West Colton yard , no more room in the cab ....

 

a 22 minute clip has shown up, with plenty of local commentary



Plenty of crowds about to see her.

 

This is UP,s video on the move , together with crew introduction .

 

What a great sight that is. Quite surprised to see her being towed with the connecting rods still in place though - how's the lubrication of the slide bars being taken care of (not sure if the pistons are in place or not).

 

Still seems bizarre to tow it with its rods up. They must have dropped the con rods to get the piston and rod out. Why put them back when its all going to get stripped for its overhaul?

 

If you check post #58, when the camera guy on site goes to look in the tender, the pistons and con-rods are in there.

As they have been getting ready since September for the move, many items have been overhauled, including lubricators.

Watching the videos on UP's website gives a better idea of all of the prep work before movement.

Seems really well planned, which you would expect with only 1300 miles to get home!!!!

 

Martin,

By in there, I meant the tender!!!!

If you move forward to 6:02 in the same video, the pistons and rods are in a still image within the video, they are stored in the tender, prior to leaving, together with other bits.

 

If the rods are on the rotating mass is, pretty much, as it would be in service, so they could tow it with no speed restriction.