Toy Man, what a wonderful description of the boiler and how it is constructed. I can't help but marvel at the thought of the skill of the people that designed and built these things with out the help of any kind of computer.
Obviously it was built with a very good computer, the human mind. There’s no reason to exclude the brain from the common definition of a computer. And if you’re thinking electronic computer exclusively, the technology here doesn’t require a super computer, it’s complex but only in quantity of parts, not it’s science. Plus, it was always a technology in flux, with a lot of guesswork, testing, and modifications toward optimization, they were far from perfect.
This BIG BOY is a masterpiece of engineering. You have to love steam locomotives to appreciate this video. This video is of excellent quality and every aspect of the UP project explained very well. This is a piece of America that deserves to live on and run again. There has been no other time period like that of steam. I myself would like to see it run the rails again, and I hope all of you out there want to see that also!
It will be a grand grand day when this thing moves again! And plans are for it to visit just about every state in the union once they get it going. It will be amazing to see!
Joseph Tatham Yes for sure!!!! Having been born in the 80s, I have only heard of the Big Boy, Challenger, Northern, etc. Now I have gotten to see them on DVD at least, with the exception of 844 which I got to see in person and witness her in operation back in 2010.
Another steam locomotive you would be impressed with is the GS 6 (Golden State) 4449 Daylight Express, 4-8-4. PBS aired a show on the engine quite a few years ago. A magnificent engine for sure. If your interested, look it up. You won't be disappointed.
Sorry guys this class of locomotives WAS NOT the pinnacle of steam engineering nor were they engineering masterpieces. At the time these were built all sorts of epic engineering items were in use that UP opted out of. Feed water heaters, etc. It gave a clean look but in reality these were very poor steamers because they could not feed the fire fast enough or keep steam pressure high enough. They were pretty. They were BIG. Not the biggest, those engines at Massabe were heavier. Alleghenies were the most state of the art steam. Those 2-10-o's at WM were the most powerful per axle. The Red Devil designed/re-engineered bt Nigel Gressley are stronger also per axle per scale. Now am I glad they are bringing a big boy back to life, OH HELL YEAH. I just am not a UP worshipper. When it came to steam they were very cheap as far as addons. Had these things ahd feedwater heaters and super heaters all the propaganda would be true. It is going to be really interesting to see how UP manages to haul LONG passenger trains with this poor steam capability. My guess is the backup deisels will be carrying much of the load. On a realted note, I hope all realize how far we are along in scratch building a live T-1 Pennsy 4-4-4-4. The frame is COMPLETE! THe tender is being reworked (super distance tender was obtained from a museum and is being rebuilt). THE BOILERS ARE ALL BUILT! The best part of that project is the group has piles of statistical data from those and will be DESIGNING OUT ALL THE FLAWS as they go. It will be a fully modernized version of a T-1 like Tornado was in UK. There is a C&O mallet also being rebuilt & the best of all the projects is that gorgeous STRIPE outta Nashville! It turns out that Nc&StL had fully reworked several of those to protect their flagship passenger trains schedules. That one was stored and never run so it is in FACTORY CONDITION INSIDE. Outside body work will be done and it will be running. Can we believe that all this steam will live!!!!!
I grew up in Southern California and visited the LA County fair where the Big Boy was housed. From 1968 until the day they hauled it out I have visited that locomotive. As a kid in the early 1970's I climbed into the cab and tried to turn every knob I could reach and when it was in Colton, California on the way to Cheyenne I saw it one last time. I took some pictures that will never be possible to take again, standing between the drive wheels where the connecting linkage goes. Once assembled, that won't be possible again. Thanks for the amazing update. Looking forward to seeing it move under it's own power for the first time in my life.
What a cool memory! So glad that you took pictures! Life is ever changing, and right within our sight. It will be an amazing sight to see this historic locomotive restored, and moving down the tracks on it's own power. I know that I will be moved to tears...It will be my first time, as well, to see the 4014 running! What a moment in history!
When I was a kid visiting as part of a group, they actually let those of us small enough to fit crawl in through the stokers hatch to stand inside the firebox, I'll never forget that, the way the panels designed to shift the coal wobbled slightly under my feet, the eerie muffled sensation as the walls of the firebox absorbed the sound, and the very noticeable heat despite the sun having gone down an hour or so ago.
I hear ya brotha. We were able to shoot a video of our song "Ballad of the big Boy" only days before UP swooped in and put up the caution tape around 4014. I doubt we will ever be able to play up on the front deck just behind the light again. however, we will have the honor to play at an for this locomotive when it returns to the LA fairgrounds next summer - 2019. I think you will enjoy the video and much of the footage will be familiar to you...steam on and enjoy!!! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AHzN7UCjki8.html
What an experience to see the 3 Big Boys on this trip! Like many.. I can not wait for the 4014 to run again! When he does.. I know for sure that I won’t be able to hold back the tears! The restoration on this has been as monumental as the Big Boy itself!
Karyn Felix-Angell You will not be the only one. We better have our big boxes of Kleanex Tissues® at the ready when we finally get to see the Big Boy Union Pacific 4014 once again barrelling down the Union Pacific Main Line heading towards Ogden Utah over Sherman Hill. 🚂
I would love to see one of these magnificent beasts in our NRM in the UK we have a Chinese LOCO so what about a Big Boy For The UK after all we gave you an A4 Pacific Dwight D Eisenhower may be one day one of The Big Boys could visit The UK
Please don't let anyone browbeat you guys into getting in a hurry with this! Looks like there will not be another chance to make one of these track-worthy again. What a great piece of American history and seeing her puffing down the line again will be a "once in a lifetime" event and great inspiration to younger generations. What finer example of national pride?!?!
Robert Williams hi. And so close to being back together. They have been working on the front engine and last weekend the front truck. Soon they will roll the rebuilt front engine back under the frame!
It is sooooo AMAZING. And we spoke with Ed. they are putting together the trip to Utah in may. 844 is on the schedule, and 4014, the Big Boy is still on schedule to be there. Fingers crossed!!!!
I've been a railroad fan for 61 years, since I was 3 years old. I was born in Manhattan in 1954. I vaguely remember getting on a train pulled by a steam engine leaving New York City going to Cleveland, Ohio, either when I was 2 years old to visit my grandparents in Cleveland, or when we left New York City and moved to Cleveland in 1957. I have an HO Rivarossi Big Boy and love it. The Big Boy was one of the greatest steam engines ever built and I'm so glad they are bringing one back to life. Thank you for your love of trains and these videos. My real name is Mike, 'awizardalso' is just the nickname I used for my RU-vid channel.
Hi Mike. SOON the Big Boy will be under its own power again. Really soon. The years of hard work will soon pay off. Its looking like a locomotive again. Almost back together.
What a superb job you two, this film. Thank you. Englishman living in France. Dad worked on the British railways, worshiped the American railroads. His favorite was the Union Pacific. He's gone now, miss him every day. He would have gone wild to see 4014 being restored. Take it from me, ONLY Americans can built such things. I cried. Too much. Fantastic.
Where in France? I went to collage there (Paris sort of. St. German en lay) 1971. Radical time there. Americans were not very popular then. Viet Nam. Sort of had the French a bit upset.
I cannot tell you how impatiently I'm waiting for 4014's resurrection!! 844's run last year was breathtaking for sure, but being the Big Boy is my favorite steam locomotive, I can't express how excited I am! Thank you Union Pacific!
Sometimes we forget how amazing it is that the Union Pacific runs this great program. That they are willing to spend millions on PR, the beneficiary of which are a relatively small group of rail fans. Hard to say thanks without it really sounding understated.
As a kid, i climbed on this engine at the fairgrounds every year in pomona, i never knew the significance but seeing it moving after sitting there year after year is really awesome. Im glad I have that special connection with that engine. Cant wait to see the finished restoration.
About 8years ago i went in the fire box when it was at the LA county fairgrounds very huge they had a air compressor hooked up to the whistle lots of fun can't wait to see it on the rails thank you for the update you guys have a great week
The model railroad display at the Cheyenne Depot is the most incredible miniatures I have ever seen. It's a permanent display. Also there's a Big Boy in the city park. When I was at the depot the Barnum and Bailey Circus Train just happened to be passing thru! Cheyenne is great city to visit.
I have been privileged!!! In 1998 on a trip from Ca to Tenn, my son and I stopped for the night at a motel in Memphis. Got to talking with an older man in the lounge and learned he had been "the driver" of one of the Big Boys back in the day. As a B&O RR guy in my youth I was awed to learn that. I asked to shake his hand. I have been privileged!!!
I did get to work old the last three old yard ladies and a big steam crane. In 1958 I was 2 years into an apprenticeship. Might have been a machinist today but the B&O had leased 50 new Diesel's, didnt need ANY serious maintenance for a long time so they dropped ALL apprenticeships AND all Journeymen. Shut the machine shop completely down. Kept only masters in some trades. The rest of us hit the bricks. LOL So I enlisted and the Navy put me in electronics. I did a little work in my basement shop til I got too old. Still have a project chucked up from 2011, cant see well enuf anymore. Give anything to really hear a BigBoy whistle off in the distance some nite.
"the blast and cough and suction of the gaseous dragon roaring to life..." Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 Back in the 80's, I had the honor of crawling into the firebox of 4014 when it was in Pomona. That was truly the Inner Sanctum of steam railroading. I never dreamed that one day the heart of this dragon would again blaze with life. I will see it next year with my own eyes. Thank you, Union Pacific!!
This is truly amazing! I had never seen the Big Boy's in person.. Only seen and read about them in books.. documentaries and such. When I first met Dale.. It was about the time that he had uploaded his series on the Big Boy here on the channel. It moved me to tears! I would have loved to have seen this event.. But I had to be at work. The first time I was able to get up close and personal with the Big Boy.. The size alone was more than I could take in at one glance! I felt a little intimidated... mostly because of a recurring dream that I have had since I was a little girl.. where I am "lost".. and trying to escape through this maze of large, greasy-black machinery, where there are lots of pipes, tubes, rods and hoses... And... IT'S HOT! I am crawling in and through this, trying not to get burned! There is this hot smell of grease and coal. I have no idea where this dream comes from.. But.. Seeing the Big Boy up close, really sent a chill up my spine! There is a feeling of curiosity.. mixed with just a touch of fear. Yet, mixed with all of this, is a feeling that I have just met an old friend. I can't wait to see the 4014 run again.. Even to see it's "fire" and feel the heat radiating from it's core. I know it will literally send a chill up my spine! But to see this giant run, will surly bring tears to my eyes!
Was at strasburg today with my kids for their day out with Thomas the train also went through the museum lots of very interesting locomotives and steam engines hope one day you can make it would love to see that one running some day great to see history being preserved great video
So close!!!!! First fire soon. Keeping it secret. We won’t know until after. Omaha wants to keep video in house. I’m fine with that, as long as it happens!!!
That's going to be great to see the Big Boy come back to Ogden. Took my grandson and chased it up the Weber Canyon on its way to Cheyenne. He was 2 years old. When it comes back, he'll be 8.
This helps put the restoration of one of these locomotives into perspective! No easy task! I have often wondered just how long it took to build the Big Boy in the first place! Then... The restoration is monumental, as so many of the parts have to be manufactured by machines which no longer exist! So... that machine must be remanufactured as well!! This restoration is truly a labor of love! Nothing like I have ever seen!
@@karynfelix-the-Cat -- Maybe double check on that, the machines you say "no longer exist" might be doing just fine in China. So much of our excellent manufacturing machines were torn up for scrap, and the BLUEPRINTS to rebuild them were buried in landfills. Sick. That's what happens when you let *hair-brained bureaucrats* make all the decisions.
btpcmsag As I use to say to my students: “Go back and reread what you just read, to make sure you understand before commenting.” The majority of the Big Boy Locomotives were built in 1941 to 1944, then production ended. The Big Boy locomotives were in use until 1959. There are around 8 Big Boy locomotives today. Of those, 6 of those are inoperable, and are Museum displays. The 4012 could be made to run.. but 4014 is currently undergoing a complete restoration. The parts which are being manufactured for this locomotive, are the parts I was talking about in my comment. I highly doubt there is a Big Boy parts manufacturing plant, located in China.
Keep in mind that a few of these things were still in regular service, not big boys but other locomotives, when men first went to the moon. Strange that these technologies can be this advanced and this primitive at the same time
I spent quite a bit of time in the 4014 cab during the LA County Fair every year where they had staff on hand to monitor people and let them really explore. They had a air compressor hooked up to the bell and whistle, so you could hang your head out the window and blow the whistle to your hearts content. The 4014 was chosen for restoration because it was the only engine without boiler covers and asbestos covering. Since that had all been removed years ago, most likely due to California regulation, the engine was prime for restoration. The people who run the Pomona museum were traded a few diesel's for the big boy because they find children to be disconnected from the steam engines, which is a wild idea in my mind. So now they only have one really nice steam engine on display, which is a real shame. LA doesn't really have a great train museum and even the Sacramento one isn't great. Thanks for the great video and lets hope they get the re-build finished soon!
Also they could get this one. No one wanted to give up their big boy. Why would they? But the Pomona guys slowly came open to the idea largely because they can remain involved and use the restoration and the finished locomotive the rase funds. We bought toys and shirts from them at Cheyenne. In some ways it’s still their toy. They get to be as close as any will be not part of the UP crew. Win win.
I was living in Cheyenne when the flood you were talking about at 19:09 occured. I still remember seeing it nearly under water. We lost our home in that flood. Good to hear they are going to clean up the rust. Thank you for this video.
Glad to see my old friend Linn Moedinger, from Strasburg Railroad, had his hands on this project. Speaking of Strasburg and Linn, if you ever get there, ask him about the locomotive he was moving during Hurricane Agnes. It also ended up completely submerged. Being drowned is nothing to keep a good locomotive down, although I'm sure it did nothing to keep it from rusting.
4004 was under water for days and it slowly receded and then... nothing. It just sat there rusting. They put on some fresh paint. Jon should have it looking really really good. I’m sure it could be made to run again if anyone ever wanted to, but was 4014 running I’m sure there will be no desire to do more with 4004
Wow,...... what a great video, our biggest steam locomotive in the UK was the 9F buillt for British Railways in the 1950s the wheel configuration is a 2-10-0 designed for heavy freight trains a number have been preserved and are in action on a number of private preservation sites throughout the UK,............... i look forward to seeing your Big Boy in steam next year.
I will agree with it being emotional to see. When it leaves California you can hear it in the whistle that its happy to be going back home to Wyoming. When big boy arrives you can hear it again in the whistle how happy it was to be home finally. For me that was really emotional yet inspiring.
In 1983, I became part owner in a 1927, 120' riveted hull tugboat.I thought that was difficult to rebuild the main engine until I watched this restoration.
I'm so glad our town has a main UP line running through it. Everyday a train comes through about every minute after the next. Hope this Big Boy will be one of them in the near future. I'll definitely be crying if and when it does.
They do get around on the UP. For some reason they prefer certain routes, often going west to Idaho and even into Oregon. They run south to Denver all the time. So probably.
Toy Man Television It's going to be so great to see. Like, I'll get to see something with my own eyes that only cowboys ever got to see out in the wild west.
Peter Shavney To see all 8 remaining Big Boys was my goal several years ago. Though I never rode in one, I am one of the few people around who have actually ridden in the cab of a 2-8-8-4 back in the sixties during the "Weekend On the Missabe". Before leaving Biwabeck, MN. the engineer gave me permission to film the ride from the cab. While pouring himself a cup of tea in the middle of the cab after the train had started ( heading for Two Harbors) he said OK to sit in the engineers seat. I asked him what to do if a cow got on the track ahead, his reply was that we couldn't stop any way but I could blow the whistle as a warning. The ride was extremely rough I thought for such a large engine but that may have been due to the condition of the track.
The day I moved my parents out of California. Me and Dad drove down to Pomona to see it for the last time, but a day late. We did get to look at the engine through the fence, and the UP guys were working. That's when I met Ed, told him I came a long way to see it. He was kind enough to open the gate, and we got to check it out. All the parts that they had pulled off in excellent condition. If it wasn't for that southern California weather the probably could not have pulled it off. Can't wait to see her really going.
This is so great, to see that there are people who love trains more than I do!! The restoration of a Big Boy is a dream for us who love steam trains. Great video. Thanks a lot!!!!
Great video lots of information about how the Big Boy works well presented. I hope to be able to see the Big Boy next year after I retire and can screw around as you put it.
Truly amazing! The size of the Big Boy is beyond description! Even at some distance.. It's difficult to capture the engine and tender in the same shot!
If you go to Strasburg, you can take the noon shop tour! There are 25 passes per day! They take you through the loco shed, and through the back shop...aka the restoration shop! (I work at the Strasburg Railroad)
I’m from the east. My dad was a fireman and later, he got his engineer’s papers was the Pennsylvania Railroad. Hence, I’m a big PRR fan. What I would love to someday see is 5550, 844, the Challenger, and the Bog Boy running some excursions on the U P. By the way, your video was fantastic. I enjoyed the technical aspects greatly. I love steam locomotives, and now that I am retired, I hope to be able to get out West for a fantastic trip on the U P.
"You Guys!" This episode is among my top ten list, now. If anyone didn't know the effort to restore this mighty beast, they should know enough to survive speaking about it at their next cocktail party. Honestly, Toy Man, and Bride, this episode would be wonderful for those that want to know what all the fuss is about. It's a huge engine, and a even bigger undertaking to breath life back into the beast. *Wonderful piece of work. *your part, Toy Man. Thank you for this one.
Hi Greg! What a fun time we had looking at that locomotive. We just rolled in from the rat Fink reunion and are slowly recovering our wits. What a fun car show but you can always tell when we’ve been to a car show we are completely sunburned. Today is no exception. The worst of it is the sunburned eyeballs. Tried putting sunblock in my eyeballs and that didn’t work out at all well that’s more of a vision block than sun block. Anyway is that locomotive something to see! We are hoping we can talk Ed into inviting us out for test runs when they put steam to it. We really promise to stay out of the way. Actually as their pressurizing that we have a desire to stay way out-of-the-way! You know just in case.
The work going into this project is beyond monumental! The workmanship going into the restoration is of upmost perfection.. right down to the tiniest detail! My hat goes off to the engineers, like Ed, who are not only knowledgable in their field.. But carry a great passion to see the project through, from beginning to the first run down the tracks! Taking video, and tracking the progress of this giant, has been a privilege!
Back when I was working at Sunn pictures (Grizzly Adams) We had a cocktail party ever day of the week. (as we worked every day) The party was held every morning at about 10 and went on to the 3 drink (and 2 joint for many) lunch. This went on to about 10 PM when we all drifted home to watch TV and get back to work. The Mormons had the edge here. Show up at 8:30 AM walk right past me beating the damn coffee maker trying to get it to work, and those 2 went right to work. How the hell did they do that? Anyway, I would get the coffee on and slowly everyone drifted in and after 2 or 3 cups of needed mud, fix a cocktail and go to their edit room. How did we ever get anything done? Thank god no one (in our department) was snorting coke. Or were they?
I can't wait to see this thing go! Not only this is being restored but a PRR 4-4-4-4 duplex is being built from the ground up and I just have to say it is a great time being alive.
Yes! The T1 trust is building a full size operational replica PRR T1. It probably won't be done in a while though. I personally think that someone needs to build a New York Central J3a Hudson!
It's truly amazing to see the scale of this operation and all of its components. Seeing all of that heavy steel gives me an appreciation for the raw power this beast was capable of. I'm so happy to see the Big Boy get the treatment he deserves. Thank you for sharing this!
It’s great on how for many years someone finally wants to help restore a great train. If you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything. You should check out ATSF 2926 in Albuquerque NM, a Baldwin 4-8-4 northern if you are ever around
You Tube is the "next best thing to being there"! :D Keep tuning in every Sunday!! Of course... Don't forget to experience your own adventures! Some of our most fun times, are right in our own neighborhood! Thanks!!
Thank You so much for sharing! I'm such a steam train buff, and have been going to my cousin's house in La Verne for the last 30 years. Never knew the big boy was in her back yard. Sadly I missed it; however, I did see it outside when they were in the process of moving it on to the metrolink track. It was after hours and behind a chain link fence.
The dynamic duo has done a very good job of presenting a very complex/technical subject in a manner that is understandable to the person with no steam boiler experience. Many of the people who watch this video have reminiscences of their fathers or grandfathers about these giants that once pounded the rails of our nation. Now on to a much more serious subject. If you two send an address, I would do my best to furnish you with nice blue shirts with neat looking golden bow ties emblazoned across the front. Whoa. Just kidding folks.
I’m surprised as to how shallow the flanges are on the new tires for 4014. I learned a bit more about steam boilers and I further understand why diesel locomotives replaced steam locomotives. What a huge job to rebuild a steam engine! My first RU-vid videos were of the 3985 10 years ago as it visited St.Paul Minnesota. I hope 4014 can come through Minnesota so I can see it. I have Lyme disease and I hope I can live long enough to see the T-1 running too.
Cookie Chip we spoke with Ed a few days ago. So far still on “track” for May 10. The trip is scheduled with 844 and still assume 4014 will be double heading the trip. Fingers crossed but we are staking out shooting locations!!
I'm a heavy dude macanic from Canada and I never thot about steam engines to much as they are before my time but this made me think they were such master pieces of engineering and remember when countrys did thing for them self's and did it right
Odd thing is just when these things really became amazing engineering marvels they also became obsolete. This Big Boy is unlike anything else. BUT the last few almost didn't get built because by 1948 the steam locomotive was over. Replaced by Turbines. Which also became obsolete in just a few years. Multi unit diesels became the way to do this. No more single locomotives.
Nice job Toy Man. I got to see 4012 cross the Nicholson (Tunkhannock) Viaduct with my Dad when I was a child on the way to Steamtown. I am anxious to head out west to see a Big Boy run under her own power.
Very nice. Thanks a lot for the video showing far off enthusiasts the progress on such a marvel. It's really nice to see that some people take good care of this heritage and don't let it turn to rust. Kind regards from France.
It's amazing that Union Pacific is restoring the locomotive, and it looks like they're doing an absolutely incredible job of it! I was so happy to hear that they're actually going to restore it back to WORKING condition! I've only ever seen a running steam locomotive a couple of times in my life, and it is something I'll never forget.
The up shops are doing the best locomotive rebuilding in the world. With help from shops in Pennsylvania. Wow!! And the rebuild of 844 is the best we have ever seen. And as soon as the big boy is back, they are starting on 3985!!!
I’d love to see an event at the Evanston roundhouse as they are just finishing that too. Big Boy will pass through there on its way to Ogden. Hum.......
The UP has the Big Boy scheduled to be at promontory point on May 19th, 2019 which is the 150th anniversary of the east meeting the west. It is The reason for the Big Boy being rebuilt. My congratulations to the officers of the Union Pacific Railroad and the CEO for making the long term commitment to the steam program to invest literally millions of dollars to restore a Big Boy. This also includes rebuilding the steam shop back to a full fledged steam shop. That project alone took several million to complete as they have to convert the former steam shop back to a steam shop from a diesel shop. Just the environmental work required a lot of work due to the flying rat aka: pigeons. The diesel shop had a suspended ceiling that had been in place for many years and when Jim stuck his head up through one of the panels to look around he realized he needed to take down the suspended ceiling very soon as a few panels had already fallen due to the weight of the pigeon poop collected over the years. Plus other debris from the flying rats. Yes they were a problem in the steam era but there droppings fell on the floor where it was swept up. By removing the suspended ceiling it also makes it simpler and easier to run steam inside the engine house under steam. Then there is the acquisition of a lot of machine parts and tools to replace what the UP threw out from the steam era as they felt they wouldn't need them again. They now have the capability of rebuilding any part of the locomotive's they maintain and operate. As it turned out even though the 4014 looked to be in the best condition of the 8 surviving Big Boys when they got into tearing her down they discovered she was in much worse shape than they thought. But now she is being reassembled albeit slower than we would like but remember they no longer have 800 plus people doing the work. They only have 9 people in the entire steam program. The last that I knew. That isn't a lot of people for what they are doing. That essentially means they are working 7 days a week until she is complete. And even then there is no guarantee she will be done in time. It however would not surprise me to see the UP bring in additional help to finish her on time and properly. That requires outside help who know steam and how to work on it. That doesn't mean I'm throwing water on the work being done, it simply is one hell of a project for the crew to complete on time and if they run short of time they just might get outside help or stay within the UP shop forces that get additional help as there is a lot of bull work to do. With such a small shop force if they do bring in additional help from UP shop forces there will be one or two experienced steam men directing the extra shop forces to reassemble the Big Boy. Think of it this way. It's the worlds largest zig saw puzzle to put together on time and getting it right the first time. I sincerely hope there will be a videographer in the engine house once final reassembly begins. To all working on the biggest project since the end of steam may she go together easily and well.
Fantastic video guys. I was fortunate enough to attend the Cheyenne Depot Days 2018 on the Saturday. The weather may not have been so great but the cockles of my heart were well and truly warmed inside the UP Steam Shop. I even had a brief chat with Ed Dickens. I also took a brief (and wet) look at 4004 in Holliday Park and a much longer look at 4005 at the Forney Museum. It made the trip all the way from Australia worthwhile. I hope I can get back next year to see 4014 in steam. Keep up the great videos. They’re really appreciated.
Geeeeez that’s quite a swim! I assume you did a few other things while in the states. A friend is planning a trip to oz soon but fears the 20 hour flight. I’d really want to stop along the way but I hear that’s a problem. He’s actually thinking of a ship because days at sea sound easier than 20 hours in a jet. I keep telling him this is why God gave us cocktails. But he doesn’t drink.
Toy Man Television Haha!! It was actually only 17 hours non-stop from Dallas-Fort Worth to Sydney, after 2 hours from Chicago to Dallas. Not too bad in Premium Economy on a Qantas A380. It was a bit of a train-themed trip: California Zephyr from San Francisco to Chicago with a week and a half driving around Colorado. Wow, what a beautiful country you have there. I can’t wait to return.
DM&IR Yellowstone all weather cabs were also huge! I was just in the 227’s cab the other day for something like the hundredth time in my life, and it never ceases to amaze me how big those cabs turned out.
11-26-18 UPDATE. The boiler is FINISHED. Starting testing. Back head going together. The front engine is finished and ready to roll under the locomotive. Totally rebuilt. Front engine truck FINISHED. (look for a video here on the Big Boy Playlist. Walk around of the finished front engine,) Trailing truck also finished. Within a few days the front engine truck will be installed in the front engine and the entire front engine rolled back under the locomotive. Steam lines and fittings for the front engine also mostly ready to reinstall. Then the trailing truck will be rolled under the cab area. So within a few days the locomotive will be back on its' own wheels, front and rear trucks. Once that is finished the drivers go back in and the side rods and driving mechanism can be reassembled. (big job) On schedule for May 10!!! CORRECTION!!!: On the giant tubes inside the fire box. They convect water from the "water legs" up to the "crown sheet" . The water inside the tubes is boiling vigorously. All the water in the boiler is at almost the same temperature, but it boils more in some places which is transferring more heat to the water. So the hot water travels up the tubes pulling the cooler water from the sides up the the top above the firebox. This helps keep the temperature of the water uniform. And it helps keep mud from settling to the bottom, the "mud ring". So they assist in keeping the water boiling at a more uniform temperature, keep the water moving and keep crud from building up as much. Also, they support the brick arch. The arch causes the fire to flow back toward the back head. Without it the fire is much hotter at the front than the back. There are fire bricks that interlock between them making an arch lower in the front. How they attach, I don't know. Just fire brick, no mortar, no bolts.They all interlock. These tubes are water filled to keep them from melting in the 2000 degree heat. The "floor" is also made from these bricks as any metal not in direct contact with water will melt in the extreme heat.
Toy Man Television. Re, the fire bricks. It's possible that the bricks were made with holes cast in them and that they are hung on steel bars/rails, that pass through the holes so they are literally suspended face to face without the need for mortar. This method was used for many years,especially where a furnace was subject to jolts and vibrations as it would be in a locomotive. It also makes for easy replacement of burned out bricks in that they merely draw out the bars and slide new bricks in place. The bars themselves are protected from heat corrosion by each surrounding brick so tend to last for a long time. I once worked at a company which used fixed location furnaces comparable in size to that of a locomotive and I saw them use this suspension method in the course of periodic re linings.
crankbv1 wow!! Have wondered how the heck!!!! And the size of the arch here is massive. Thanks for the info. Love to see the installation. Wonder when they will be ready for that.
Those tubes are called siphons. Not sure that they were meant to support the brick arch, not as a primary function, they were to help better circulate the water from the sides of the firebox.
DaveBass Trekker. Many British steam locomotives have such things, in particular the so called 'Bulleid Pacifics' which were, like Big Boy, almost the very latest in steam technology. They are called 'Thermic Syphons' over here. The 'Merchant Navy', 'Battle of Britain' and 'West Country' class pacific's were prodigious steam makers and their boiler design was largely used in the BR Standard large locos. As many know, there are a lot of steam locomotives still under steam in the UK and it is hard not to make comparisons. Obviously Big Boy, Challenger and FEF-3 are all massively bigger, heavier and more powerful than the biggest and most powerful British locos. However, the British 'Loading Gauge' - the theoretical 'hole' through which any locomotive or rolling stock must be able to pass without hitting anything - is less than two thirds that of the American equivalent. 4014 is 16' 2" high and most large British locos are 13'. 4014 is 11' wide, Brits no more than 8'. 4014 had a 300 psi boiler, most Brits 250 psi. Even so, British steam locos could produce more power - weight for weight - than even the mighty Alco behemoths. 4014 = (engine only) 340 long tons = 6290 edhp. BR Class 8 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' = 101 long tons = 2750 edhp. I know that's comparing apples and carrots - 4014 is exclusively a freight engine and the 'Duke' was a purely fast passenger engine - but both 71000 and 92240 (BR Std Class 9F) were 40,000lb tractive effort engines and the 9F had only two cylinders and weighed a mere 86 long tons. Having said that, I saw 4005 in Denver in 1988 and to someone very used to Class 9F and Bullied Pacific's up close, it was a staggering, overwhelming sight. Although I regard FEF-3 844 as beautiful and Challenger 3985 as the more handsome, I have always loved even the 'idea' of Big Boy 4xxx. It is, indeed, the 'Ultimate' steam engine. I hope one day, to combine a visit to my son in Texas, with an excursion behind 4014.
Roger Whittle Thank you for the specs on the English railroads and the limited holes they have to work in. I am a retired locomotive engineer what you would call a driver and in my career I ran Alco S series switchers 539 and 539T models, RS-2 and RS-3 road switchers with 244 V-12 turbocharged engines every EMD road switcher from the GP-7 to an SD-80 MAC a few Fairbanks Morse road switchers (, ex New Haven Railroad ) Pennsy GG-1 locomotives a Rohr turbo train power cars only from grand Central to New Haven M-2 shop for wheel work, the demo RC-4 from Penn station to New Haven, CT., every model switcher from the SW-1 to the SW-1500, and every model made by GE from the first generation U-25B to a U-40B less than two weeks old. I once got called off the oak point spare board in New York City to run a S class switcher built in 1906 for service in Grand Central Terminal. It still has its original 2 cylinder air compressor in the cab rated at 90 cubic feet of compressed air a minute. That was a treat as it uses quill drive on the four driven axles. It was originally a 1-4-1 wheel arrangement but after severe hunting a speed the Central added two axles one at each end to make the final configuration a 2-4-2 on a fabricated frame steam locomotive style without side rods, the Pennsylvania railroad when they electrified to run through the new tunnels from New Jersey used a single large DC motor to electrify the D-16 class of American type 4-4-0 locomotives t he built an entire class of DD-1 locomotives by semi permanently coupling the back to back so no Turing was necessary. The DD-1's if I remember correctly are rated at 3000 horsepower delivered initially by overrunning 600 volt DC third rail that is still in use in penn station for Long Island commuter MU trains. In 1976 when I started running trains out of Grand Central and Penn Station when I got called for a light engine from sunny side yard to new have motor storage I found an operational DD-1 still used every night by the wire department so they could kill the overhead 11 KV 25 CYCLE AC power presently used by Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor. Just a footnote the Pennsylvania GG-1 electrics used a 140 cubic feet a minute air compressor built by New Your Air Brake driven by a small electric motor aka the air side of a steam driven air pump. It used a single model 6025 steam generator and as the fireman you had to before entering penn station fire up a steam syphon to transfer water from number two tank to number one, you knew it was full because the overflow on number one tank would go over yours and the engineers windshield. Your maximum width is 8 feet? Good lord no wonder they preferred to fire them by hand, I know in Germany they used copper in the fire boxes and was wondering if the English builders of steam did the same? I would like to thank you personally for posting specifications of the three classes of British steam and sincerely hope you are able to get across the pond to see the big boy in action personally. Take plenty of pictures with digital cameras so you can easily copy them for friends. Cheers
I am from the UK, and i remember one of my first books when i was a kid was all about the great steam loco's of the world. And of course the Big Boys had their own pages in the book. I could not believe just how big they were! So good to think that one of these giants will soon run again on American rails. But i find it a shame that they have to convert her to run on oil, one of the things i love so much about preserved steam loco's is the smell of the burning coal - nothing beats it!
Agreed on the coal!! At the Golden Spike Historic Site the 2 locos they built were designed to run oil. Old used motor oil from the air field in Ogden. A Baldwin should NOT smell like an old Chevy with bad rings!! (and/or valve guides, pick your choose) So about 15 years ago they were converted to run proper fuel, wood on the 119, coal on the 60. AH THE SMELL!!! One can close their eyes, stand on the track, and be able to tell witch loco is about to kill you by running over you just by the smell!! So stand to one side, keep your eyes open and enjoy the smells!! (coal is the best)
The reason for the switch to oil on the big boy is they when hauling a mile of freight would consume 26 tons of coal in 25 miles, when new several times the engineer had to cut the train off and run light engine to the next coaling station, they were located roughly every 25 miles and shortly the UP decided to raises the top of the coal bunker on the tender to add three to four tons of coal capacity which prevented them from running out all the time but it wasn't unusual to arrive at a coal station with less than a ton of coal left 26,000 gallons of water was almost gone by then as well. Even through a water spout fed from an 8 inch line it still took near ten minutes to refill the tender with coal and water. There is also a big risk of setting line side fires with coal and by switching to oil they can simply pull up to a diesel rack and say fill it up. Or have a truck meet them enroute which is usually the way she's refueled. Cheers
They tried oil back i the 50's and it cost sooooooo much more than coal, and didn't work as well. Today they have no choice. There is just no way to haul 30 tons of coal to a location, use a front loader and spend the next 2 hours loading coal. Add in the fires.... They ran the Challenger on Coal for over 10 years after it was restored but it rarely got very far from home. So with the Big Boy there is just no option. The trick it getting it to work well when back in the 50s it didn't work well at all.
Working on a new big box video. Footage UP told me to not show. But now that the loco is out there they are not concerned so I may have a green light to show it. More shop video. Making parts, installation of wheels, bringing the two locomotives together.
You two are adorable! Thanks for a wonderful video on the restoration of a 4000. Hopefully the railroad will give me vacation to see this beast in action next year.
Its definitely a she. A she would go through decades of being abused. May need some tlc but when rebuilt will be stronger than ever. A he would hold a grudge and fight tooth and nail and constantly breakdown. She machines are stronger and can take more abuse. Should be called the big girl.
Love to see the process where they mount the tires to the wheels. We have seen video of it and many many stills but it would be something to see in person. Karyn and I may however show up with marshmallows and toasting sticks but that’s us
Awesome! Man its going to be something to see when the Big Boy 4014 is under its own power! I sure would love to see that! Just the history behind it and the fact bringing it back to life.
We love that challenger! Hope to see it back on the rails in 2022. People often ask what is the difference between the big boy and the Challenger. What a grand way to demonstrate that by double heading the two!!
Union Pacific 4014 is a 4-8-8-4 class Big boy Built by Alco in 1941 it pulled long freight trains on the Union Pacific System mostly in the state of Wayoming and Sherman Hell Retired in 1959 and Placed on display at Pomona California well run Again When Restoration is complete it can Produce 135.375 Pounds of trackt of Afort and Waights £1,250,000 and has a top speed of 80 miles pour hour
Excellent video! I had the privilege of watching the 4014 roll into Cheyenne in May 2014 (a harsh Wyoming spring day, btw), an absolutely unforgettable sight. I have promised myself to head west when it thunders again under its own steam, no matter what. You mention Strasburg, PA...and yes, you must get there for the experience. No big boy (there's one at Steamtown in Scranton), but literally tons of other interesting trains & stuff. There is a tiny Reading Co yard engine on display that my father, who just passed away, personally worked on in the late 1940's. Keep up the great work - very professional and entertaining!
Thanks for posting this wonderful video. The Big Boy has to be everyones favorite locomotive. I live in the "tri cities", Albany, Schenectady and Troy, NY. so to me it's extra special. Built at the pinnacle of ALCO's reign as the nations premiere steam locomotive builder, we locals were and are proud of the companies many accomplishments. It was a sad day indeed when the ALCO plant closed its doors. - Dave
Just when the steam locomotives became the ultimate railroad machine they died. And massive turbines and twin engine diesels too. All in favor of smallerish mu diesels.
Even though there were compelling economic reasons for the change, it was sad to see these magnificent machines go away. It's great to see the resurgence of interest in restoring these great beasts though. It's particularly heartening to see UP putting their money where their mouth is and pressing forward with ambitious projects like the "big boy". It's great public relations for the UP. More importantly, these amazing beasts are part of our shared heritage and should not just be left to rot or to be cut up for scrap. ...can't wait to see her under her own power again. Are there any of the twins or turbine units running currently? - Dave
I'm so glad to have found your channel. I can't say enough of how wonderful and educational your productions are. The narration is not just good it's exceptional along with your vast knowledge of a subject that you both obviously love as I also do. I thought I knew something about steam locomotives, but from watching this video I discovered that I didn't know as much as I thought about a subject that has had my interest since I was a very young child. Thank you for all that you both are doing to educate the public on a very important piece of our history, steam power. A technology that took so much real brain power to create in a time where electronics and computers were an unknown subject. I wish you both God's blessings in all of your endeavors.
Thank you. We too learned so much from this locomotive. I had always wondered why there were stay bolts half way down the boiler!! The the tubes are only 22 feet! And the firebox more than that!! WEIRD but if it was not better, they would not have done it that way. WOW
Toy Man Television, Thanks for the reply. The "Big Boy" series of locomotives using superheated steam just shows what can be done to reduce boiler size. This was ingenius and without computers, using only slide-rule math and trial and error. It's just amazing to me what was accomplished then by brilliant people. I noticed that there's an interest in HO and O scale on you videos. I inherited my father's 1940s and 50s HO locos and rolling stock some still unassembled in their original boxes. I've kept them just as he left them to me in pristine condition. Unfortunately I've never had the space for building a layout, but the desire was always there and seeing others layouts fascinates me. I'm 66 now and thoughts have come to mind as to how I'm going to pass all of this stuff on since I don't have children or any family interested. Do you have any ideas? I'd appreciate any input that you may have and thanks again for your efforts in documenting your fascinating travels with your partner. They're so enjoyable.
Another super duper adventure from Mr. & Mrs. Fun On The Run!! I learn so much from your excellent videos & wish I could be there! You made my Sunday...thanks!!
I learn a lot making these videos! Ed Dickens is a great source of knowledge, when talking about the restorations on these historic locomotives like the 844 and the 4014! His passion for these restorations really rubs off! He loves what he does, and it shows in his knowledge and enthusiasm. ..... Now... Off to my old neighborhood!! More fun!!
Very informative video. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I hate to correct people, but I was only able to catch one mistake. Big Boy's completion is to be in time for the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad instead of Union Pacific. Union Pacific celebrated their 150th anniversary in 2012.
I'm British and seeing a Big Boy having restoration work to be work order is amazing if I can't go to the USA and see 4014 running on the mainline in the USA I would good luck on Union Pacific.
