The Union
Pacific Railroad is moving steam locomotive 4014 to Cheyenne, WY for
restoration and return to limited service. Thursday schedule is from Laramie to
Cheyenne over Sherman Summit. Nice article here.
Our plans
are to be along the right of way somewhere ENE of Tie Siding, WY as it passes.
41° 4’
45.11” N
105ۜ 27’ 41.92” W
The UP currently operates two steam locomotives. 844 is perhaps the most
seen, and I see it each year as it pulls the Cheyenne Frontier Days Special
from Denver to Cheyenne.
The Challenger 3985 is larger, perhaps the largest steam locomotive
currently operating in the world. I’ve seen it one time pulling the Ringling
Bros. circus into Denver.
When these units operate, they are always accompanied by a diesel
electric. The diesel electric supplies greater breaking forces.
Hopefully, we will get to see 4014 in a couple of years operating under power. What would be grand to see would be all three together pulling Sherman Hill. (Sherman Hill, between Cheyenne and Laramie, is the highest point on the UP line at 8,640'. Steep climb, Cheyenne sits at 6,062', and Laramie at 7,165')
Pictures, and possibly a video, to follow.
Lots of videos on all three on YouTube.
5 comments:
Enjoy and get us some good pics, we're living vicariously through you on this one!
Will try not disappoint.
When the EMP goes off, these will be the only working engines in the US.
You may be right. Most have been converted to run on bunker oil if that is available after an EMP event. Know a long term UP maintenance type. He says most of the diesel electrics have some type of EMP shielding. The control infrastructure probable doesn't and they don't have enough old timers that know the old system of running a railroad.
AWESOME!
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