Yea it isn't Frisco related but my steam crazed friends may enjoy this announcement from UP. What ever anyone says about the UP, they do put their $$ where their mouth is when it comes to their historical preservation, especially steam locomotives. Wonder how many double stacks it would pull up Archer Hill? here is the link [FONT="]http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/heritage_and_steam/2013/0723_4014.shtml[/FONT]
Tom, I chase all of their restored steam & diesel locos when they come around the St.Louis area. They do draw a crowd. Too bad the 1522 is not fired up to welcome it if it comes around here, that would be a spectacular event, especially at the Kirkwood Station and or Webster Groves Station. Keeping my fingers crossed! John
I remember attending a presentation by the UP when they announced they would put their Challenger 4-6-6-4 back into operation. The company man was asked if they would ever consider doing the same to a 4-8-8-4 Big Boy, since several had been preserved. The guy answered "no, never" since the locomotive was so big and heavy, and cost considerably more to operate than the Challenger. I guess somebody high up had a change of heart! Good! Ken
One challenge (no pun intended) is having a turning facility large enough to accommodate them. In July, I visited the turntable in Evanston, Wyoming. It has been restored, so there's one possibility.
I already know that I will receive "hate mail" over this, but ... While I welcome this news and really admire UP's management for historical preservation ... Don't they already have a Challenger in operation? I would rather see one of the turbines prowling the rails. Sorry
I guess I can understand the challenges in running the big boys. During the 1983(?) MCoR convention in Omaha, they ran 8444 for an excursion trip and the only place it could be turned was at the CNW turntable in Council Bluffs. It barely fit.
These days with the few steam facilities remaining, the Big Boy will probabaly have to be turned on a wye or loop, or just run backward on occasion. Tom G.
It is a poorly documented fact that the Frisco leased one of the UP's 4000 class for trials on Dixon Hill.
Man I hope not.. The years and months are going by too quick now.. Last thing I need is to loose 6 months
Sherrel, Actually, the trailer is up-side down. During the late 60’s, AHM had a sale on locomotives, which had blemishes and minor mechanical deficiencies. You sent them the money, and they sent you a locomotive. It was like buying a pig in a poke, but none the less, my brother and I sent in our money for a UP Big Boy. It turned out to be a good deal. The body was in great shape, but it was missing a motor, which was replaced without difficulty. Once running, it was sent to the paint shop, where the UP shield was removed and replaced with a Kemtron, Frisco coonskin. The locomotive emerged as the Frisco 4600 in the full “Triple F” treatment. We put the new 4600 to good use, and nearly ran the wheels off. Ultimately, one of the gear boxes failed, and the locomotive was set aside. We never got to run again, because we couldn't find the parts. About 10 years ago, I asked my brother, Fred, who is not a rail fan, to grab some pictures. (Paul and I believe that he was adopted). Fred found the disasembled locomotive, and managed to reassemble it, albeit with the trailer installed as depicted in the photo. He took the picture in this thread. When we finally had to raze my Dad's layout, and packed-up all of his stuff, we found the locomotive again, but we decided to "scrap" it. The locomotive was in rough shape, and restoration just wasn't worth it. The tender still survivies, and I brought it back to Texas. btw... The Big Boy axle loading was comparable to a 4500
That's quite a story, Karl.Still, I think you should have kept the Locomotive too! It would have made a good mantle piece - the tender is impressive.