The Union Pacific Steam Crew beginning their day on Sunday 7-21-24. This video was shot through a chain link fence. The crew were scurrying on both sides of the engine getting it started for the day.
That is for safety. Every crew member has a tag. When they are working on the engine they throw their tag up to hooked on the blue flag. The engine will not be purposely moved until ever crew with a tag on there has been cleared.
@@1chuck96 I know they light it every morning. With the windows being shut and the engine being a bit far, that made it hard to tell when that happened.
There was a period of a few weeks (months?) when the Big Boy ran without a diesel helper. What changes were made to allow that. And, why was the diesel put back on? Thanks
Great video! I have a few questions if you know the answers. I am assuming that the tags hung on the flag are the tags for the various crew members who are working on the engine and once they have finished their task the tag is removed? Also, the gentleman who is "oiling" the various parts of the engine is doing so? Thanks and this is a great video.
The blue flag is for safety. Every crew member has a tag. When they are working on the engine they throw their tag up to hooked on the blue flag. The engine will not be purposely moved until ever crew with a tag on there has been cleared. The crew member is John. He is oiling part with the various oil cans. I could see the feet of someone on the other side oiling as well. They definitely keep well maintained.
Actually the opposite. They use the diesel to help Big Boy with pulling the excursion cars so that they can minimize wear and tear on the large steam engine since every replacement part has to be custom made (e.g. brake pads, etc).
@hobbytinkerer6736 never see any diesel smoke coming from the engine which is common with them but I will wager it isn't used except emergency or to climb steep grades
@@Blake4625kHz Of course they have to baby it. It’s the only one running and replacing parts is insanely expensive. It’s no longer the days where you can run to your nearest shop and grab a new part where hundreds are in stock. Everything has to be custom made and that’s expensive. Be happy they resurrected it at all and we get to see such an amazing machine come alive again.
@@jz1340 since it was a display day they only light it took keep it hot. I believe Ted lit it when the windows were still shut. Hours later it did move when Jim Vena was there and they went backwards a short distance, then forward.
That is for safety. Every crew member has a tag. When they are working on the engine they throw their tag up to hooked on the blue flag. The engine will not be purposely moved until ever crew with a tag on there has been cleared.
