UP 4014 will be in steam today in Cheyenne.
Trains: Jim Wrinn
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Big Boy is alive again.
Union Pacific No. 4014 was expected to make a short test run today and the Cheyenne Depot Museum announced a flash visit this afternoon. The museum posted the following on its Facebook page this morning:
Great news Rail Fans!
Union Pacific has notified us of a last-minute opportunity to get up close to the Big Boy #4014 TODAY ONLY, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019.
This spontaneous chance will begin at 3:00pm this afternoon after the engine takes brief test run. You will visit the Steam Shop and will have chance to see the famed engine and talk to the folks who run it!
THIS IS NOT A FULL TOUR OF THE STEAM SHOP. IT IS ONLY A CHANCE TO SEE THE ENGINE CLOSE UP AND RUNNING.
Tickets go on sale at 9:00am this morning. 50 available tickets will be first come, first served, and are $20.00. A trolley will transport you back into the Union Pacific yard. Access to this opportunity on foot or by personal vehicle is strictly prohibited and you MUST have a ticket. Phone 307-778-3133 to purchase your ticket, which is also good for the Depot Museum admission today.
Participants are required to wear long pants, close-toed shoes, and hard hats (which will be furnished to you). Liability waivers must be signed and are required by Union Pacific.
There are numerous activities downtown today so PARK IN THE PARKING GARAGE located at 17th and Carey Avenue. Parking is free.
That’s what the depot museum had to say. No. 4014 leaves on its southwestern tour on Sept. 27, bound for Rawlins the first day and eventually southern California.
Is there anyone at this publication capable of covering these steam locomotives other then the person who wrote this piece??????????Sure doesn t seem so.I see no one else who is doing this with these steamers be it 765 in Ohio of 611 etc,etc,etc.
Take it easy Kevin, take it easy. Would you rather Big Boy doesn’t run at all?
Remember, for “Big Steam” to run on today’s main lines compromises have to be made. With oil fueling the logistics for 4014 are so much simpler, and in the arid areas where it’s going to do most of its running oil fueling lessens the possibilities of lineside fires dramatically. A diesel in the consist is a back-up just in case there’s an issue with 4014. Remember, Union Pacific is a business, and those main lines HAVE to be kept open and fluid. A blocked main line means angry shippers, and the shippers are the ones who pay the bills.
Most of us don’t have a problem with the above. Purism is fine, but when it clashes with practicality practicality always wins. Remember, there’s some in the UP that you can bet would love to see the steam program go away. You don’t want to give them any ammunition for their arguments, do you?
I’d like to add onto Wayne’s comment really quickly. Angry shippers stop doing business with the UP. When the shippers stop doing business with the UP, the UP will start losing money. When the UP starts losing money, they can’t afford to restore a massive locomotive such as 4014.
What are you even talking about?
Why do you at “Trains” magazine continue to look the other way with UP’S consistent policy to molest their once glorious and majestic steam engines by converting them to resto-mod oilers with, of all things, a helper diesel pushing them around?
I know, I know, it’s better than the scrap yard, but why are you so quick to compromise?
YOU KNOW THAT it has long been the protocol of scrupulous railroads and restoration societies to CHANGE THE ENGINE NUMBER when making such modifications. All they need do is add an asterisk.
Somehow UP feels they’re above that type of discretion and you stand mute.
Biased “journalism” : don’t want to loose favorite son status with UP?
Or do you agree with UP since the cost of an asterisk appears to be too much?
4014* NOT 4014.
It’s inauthentic and you know it.