No. 844 will join No. 4014, shown at Pomona, Calif., in 2013, on its inaugural run.
Trains: Jim Wrinn
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — When Union Pacific’s westbound steam doubleheader leaves Cheyenne on May 4 in the inaugural run of Big Boy No. 4014, the 4-8-8-4 will lead 4-8-4 No. 844, a UP spokeswoman tells Trains News Wire today.
“The plan is to have No. 4014 in the lead,” Kristen South said late Wednesday afternoon. She said the crew is finishing painting and mechanical details and plans to begin test runs in coming days.
Traditionally, the smaller of the two locomotives leads a steam doubleheader and serves in the role of the helper, but because No. 4014 is the star of the show, it will
go out front for the trip to Ogden, Utah, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad. The railroad had already planned to run them as a doubleheader eastbound from Ogden to Cheyenne.
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, UP said it is cancelling 4-8-4 No. 844’s April 27-28 trip from Cheyenne to Ogden, and making the debut of 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 a doubleheader on the same route.
“The Union Pacific Steam Team is busy making final preparations for the May 4 christening of the Big Boy No. 4014 in Cheyenne, Wyoming,” UP said in an email to its online steam club. “Final touches on its paint job are being applied and the last necessary tests are being conducted.”
glad they did this here are the reasons and Ed just told me them. 1. They need to do a FRA steam test and it requires 4 people they can’t do that with #844 in Ogden. 2. The logistics don’t exist and the coaches are all over the system. and you know the third reason. the Third reason Ed does not have another crew he only has Austin, Ted, and Jeremy they are the only ones trained to operate. Another reason is SP 1996, 1943, and 8444 are assigned to a train and they have not had their service checks done at North Platte. Fritz needs to route those engines to Sparks, North Platte, and to Roseville to pick up the cars are get them to Salt Lake so #844 can pick them up and take them to Ogden. So Promontory’s stay has been extended, #844 trip is canceled, and the Denver excursion test has been added. Get it done Ed we are out of time and Big Boy needs to be ready.
Aaron Peavler, when is the test excursion to Denver?
Ron Flanary. In this case, 4014 has 68 in. drivers. 844 has 80 in. drivers. Steam Era protocol met.
Ron Flanary it was but since #844 is the only engine with an MU box it must take the 2 spot. Big Boy will be out front and will be pulling the load also 1943 and SP 1996 have been assigned and are on their way from their trains and should arrive next week to assist.
Jeremy Schulz
You haven’t been following this story very well have you? In every article so far it’s been mentioned that HP’s, Sheriffs, State Police, etc., of each state the engines will be travelling through have already stated they will have increased presence on the roads along the route…and will be strictly enforcing traffic laws along those routes.
Normally, the locomotive with the smallest diameter drivers is on the point, since it must establish the pace. You don’t want the second engine struggling to keep up. At least, that was the protocol in the steam era, as I recall it.
Wait..it is going to get better….We will be putting a SD70ACE on the point for PTC and none of the steam locomotives will actually be under steam until they get to Ogden.
Yes, it’s scary to contemplate. I remember being really disturbed by the antics of people driving both sides of a two-lane desert highway while following SP 4449 on its way to the New Orleans World’s Fair. It would have been great to get a better look, but it was hardly worth risking one’s life. The law-enforcement people need to have a heavy presence during this.
Great… Here we go folks… Expect and prepare for EVEN MORE of a total CIRCUS on Interstate 80 and the backroads surrounding it throughout Southern Wyoming and Eastern Utah. Both highway patrols, along with other local law enforcement agencies like the county sheriff’s departments HAD BETTER HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE! We would all hate to see the entire steam program die after these special events in 2019 due to the unhinged, unbridled STUPIDITY of selfish foamers AND ignorant members of the general public who just “HAVE” to get the “perfect” shot…