wolfe10 Report post Posted November 7, 2019 Largest steam engine ever built has been restored and is on a tour of the western U.S. Saw it in Houston today-- viewing is FREE. https://www.up.com/media/releases/190905-big-boy-southwest.htm The schedule: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm If you want to see REAL HP, go to this Youtube video. A diesel freight train stalled out on a steep grade in Wyoming. The old steam engine was behind it and pushed it over the summit. ON EDIT: AS BILL POINTS OUT BELOW, THIS STEAM ENGINE IS QUITE IMPRESSIVE, BUT IS ONLY THE "LITTLE BROTHER" TO BIG BOY. About 1:30 into the video watch the drive wheels carefully. You will see all 8 driving wheels break loose and reconnect with the rails. So, wheel spin with 8 wheel drive. DUDE!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU9uEwSGp9M Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkhartjim Report post Posted November 7, 2019 The YouTube videos just don't do justice to the sheer size and weight of this engineering marvel. If you have the opportunity to see the Big Boy locomotive in person, don't miss it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted November 8, 2019 4 hours ago, wolfe10 said: About 1:30 into the video watch the drive wheels carefully. You will see all 8 driving wheels break loose and reconnect with the rails. So, wheel spin with 8 wheel drive and 1.2 million pounds on it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU9uEwSGp9M That isn't the Big Boy, that is 844 a big steam engine but not the same. Big boy is engine 4014. The 4014 was basically 2 844 engins built together. The allegheny class locomotive is the only rival to the Big Boy and one of the last remaining is in the Ford museum. This is a fun video showing you what and how both the engineer and fireman operate 844. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vogL3LL8Q Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted November 8, 2019 Thanks for the correction, Bill. So, the "Big Boy" is even larger/more powerful? WOW. I know RV systems, but have to admit I am a RR novice. Rode one across Turkey (Erzurum to Istanbul) in the early 1970's but that was the extent of my steam engine RR travel. Debating on whether to go back and delete that incorrect link, but some may still find it entertaining. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted November 8, 2019 5 hours ago, wolfe10 said: Largest steam engine ever built has been restored and is on a tour of the western U.S. Saw it in Houston today-- viewing is FREE. https://www.up.com/media/releases/190905-big-boy-southwest.htm The schedule: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm If you want to see REAL HP, go to this Youtube video. A diesel freight train stalled out on a steep grade in Wyoming. Big boy was behind it and pushed it over the summit. About 1:30 into the video watch the drive wheels carefully. You will see all 8 driving wheels break loose and reconnect with the rails. So, wheel spin with 8 wheel drive and 1.2 million pounds on it! DUDE!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU9uEwSGp9M I was in Cheyenne the day it pulled into there to start its rebuilding. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted November 8, 2019 Just correct it, It is still interesting. Watch the one I posted it tells you how to operate the 844. Yes The Big Boy is amazing and I am glad they have it running again. Just think 2 sets of 4 drive wheels on each side or 16 total. If we knew what it took to fuel it we would never complain about milage again. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkhartjim Report post Posted November 9, 2019 An amazing piece of equipment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted November 9, 2019 Headed up through east Texas today (Saturday 11/9), Sunday and Monday. https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm Heard from a friend with a son at Texas A&M. Looked out his dorm window and saw Big Boy pull in yesterday afternoon. One of the "cars" it was pulling was the George H W Bush locomotive. Suspect at 1.2 million pounds, he may have even felt it. Yup, there is a reason they call it College STATION-- the RR runs right next to campus and how many students many, many decades ago got to the university. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkhartjim Report post Posted November 9, 2019 A friend of mine took this yesterday as the train went through Magnolia on it way to College Station. Gig'em Aggies. Brett, we could feel the earth shake as it went by and the goose bumps were awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkhartjim Report post Posted November 9, 2019 https://m.facebook.com/groups/1462991004016130?view=permalink&id=2440502702931617 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted November 10, 2019 Brett, this is a very interesting topic and glad that you introduced it. For information purposes, I picked up my bus/coach in 2009 from Evoloution coach in White Haven Pennsylvania. This bus conversion factory is a steam engine factory from before the civil war and was used as such for building steam engines during the civil war. John Cherry, owner has preserved this historic site and of course does bus conversions in the old factory. He is very proud of the antiquity and loves to show it off if any are interested and in that area. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to bring these facts to life. I hope not too far off topic, as I have enjoyed the debate and the opportunity to watch the videos that I never knew existed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted November 10, 2019 Neat information. That train is a beast! Anyone in the Lancaster PA area might want to add this to your list of things to do. This place has always fascinated me. A lot of history to look at in the museum. About 15 minutes from home. https://rrmuseumpa.org/ https://www.strasburgrailroad.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted November 10, 2019 Fascinating to watch that steam engine push that freight train like it was nothing. Incredible, the amount of brute force in those things. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted November 10, 2019 Jim S, great pictures. Here is another steam train you can ride. https://www.thetrain.com/events/steam-saturdays/ Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkhartjim Report post Posted November 10, 2019 Are you familiar with this one Bill? https://texasstaterailroad.net/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianbullock Report post Posted November 10, 2019 How about this one? https://www.thetrain.com/ and another favorite.. https://www.durangotrain.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obedb Report post Posted November 10, 2019 4014 is based in Cheyenne. If memory serves, the powerhouse was doing regular trips with customers from Cheyenne to Denver and back during the summer months. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f442485 Report post Posted November 11, 2019 The Union Pacific main line goes right behind my home in Colton, Ca. I got to see it three times under power. Once coming into to the the Colton yard, then from Colton to Barstow, Ca. yard and back to Colton. That thing is HUGE. It is articulated on the front set of trucks so it can make tight turns. We could feel the ground vibrate as it rolled by. What an awesome sight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted November 11, 2019 On 11/10/2019 at 4:00 AM, elkhartjim said: Are you familiar with this one Bill? https://texasstaterailroad.net/ Yes We have had rally's near Rusk. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted November 23, 2019 Union Pacific Big Boy re-creates the Polar Express: (utube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfhoj1mUqXA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wayne77590 Report post Posted November 23, 2019 Some More Big Boy 20 minutes long. (Troup, TX to Marshal, TX) Chasing Big Boy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
