May 4th a large crowd gathered
near Tie Siding, WY to see the UP Steam Engines pass by.
One of the largest
steam engines to ever operate, UP 4014 “Big Boy” sat on display for 60 years until
being brought back to Cheyenne to the Union Pacific Steam Shop. The UP has been
operating UP 844 for awhile. Both were in the train.
When it was brought back I was at Tie
Siding to see it pass. Yeah, I’m a fanboy. I’ll be there again May 17th
when the double head comes back from the 150th Golden Spike
Celebration in Ogden, UT.
We were just a small part of the
thousands who gathered along the route. One couple had come from Maine.
It is coming.
It is here.
It is gone.
Three minute experience. Now to get back
to the paved highway.
I waited for about thirty minutes to let
most of the crowd leave. While leaving I saw zero trash and litter. Good
people, rail fans.
Best news? It wasn’t snowing.
12 comments:
Heehaw, you got to see it!
There is something about the sound of steam engines,
and jets, and helos...
YeeHaw! dang spell checker!
Brig
Looking forward to the return when they will be traveling up a 2.7% grade.
WoW! That baby must have shook the ground when it went by!
Let me know when/where you'll be for the return, and I'll do my best to hook up with you so I can see it.
I even charged up the batteries in my GoPro.....
How could you enjoy with all the elbow bumping with the crowd?
drjim
We'll have to make that happen.
It does make you aware something large and powerful is passing.
Coffeypot
Yeah, couldn't get to "my" rock. Damn tourists were already camped out on it.
Sweet!
Another fanboy here. I have some video I shot of UP Challenger (#3985) passing through Chico, CA in 2005, and then making a stop a few miles up the line. Would be happy to burn you a DVD copy.
I am no expert, but in several of the 4014 videos I've watched they seem to only be running on the front cylinders and drivers. I know they were rushing to get it on the road in time for the Golden Spike anniversary.
RHT447
Have some video of the Challenger pulling the last Ringling Brothers circus train. Thanks for the offer.
Per a FB page https://www.facebook.com/groups/UPSteamClub/ the subject of full power has been discussed and it appears 4014 is fully operational. My guess an engine designed to pull 200 loaded freight cars from Cheyenne to Sherman Summit (6,060 ASL to 8,035) or Ogden, UT to Evanston, WY (4,300 to 6,749) doesn't need all the power for 16 or so cars. I've read they crew is keeping the consist at around 35 mph for now.
Beautiful shots! Thanks for sharing them!
I loved that. More steam, please.
Thank you, and you are welcome.
LSP
Maybe later on the flip-flop.
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