Thanks!! That was a fantastic movie. I did see the front divers spinning out. At the beginning did I see a Woman pock here head out out the cab?? That wasn't allowed back then. Was it??
This has happened before, behind 844, probably back in the 90s. It's on the UP Steam video the crew once sold. Here's the helper move from back then.
I'm always amazed at how enginemen on pushers, regardless of motive power, know how much effort to provide. I guess it's a feel you learn after many hours in the cab, but too little and the train will stall and too much and the pusher will buckle the train.
I believe that all steam on class 1 mainlines operate with a diesel helper. Usually the diesel isn't providing any 'help'...its usually just there in case something happens to the steam engine and it needs to be put in a hole so the mainline isn't blocked... ...by a freight train, powered by diesels
That is REALLY cool. About time that they quit pampering her and made her do some actual work again. I can't help but picture some fine folks in Blair looking out their window and asking woo woo woo?! was that? ETA: I guess W T F isn't allowed by our forum software.
Super cool video and the wheel slip is great to see. Now that she's done the helper bit, they need to have her pull a double stack train like they did with the 3985 many moons ago
I use Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (NATO phonetic alphabet.) I think it's cool that 4014 is a rolling, WORKING museum! Kudos to UP for their dedication to preserve and run the magnificent beast. We saw 4014 in Fort Worth, but unfortunately, the fire was out for repair or inspection. There were no cab tours. But diesels replaced steam for good reason: A pair of diesels could replace three steam locomotives (one on the road and two in the shop) simply due to greatly reduced maintenance requirements. And that pair could run both ways, allowing turntables and turning wyes to be scrapped as well. Furthermore, that does not count the reduced track maintenance with diesels, that slipped and kinked far fewer rails through their spikes.
So that the Big Boy can drag that diesel, sparks flying, 'til kingdom come?! (or the oil/water runs out*) The Big Boy would not be able to drag the diesel from a stand-still, but I wonder if it could drag the diesel if already rolling? *Funny how they say, "oil and water don't mix;" but an oil-fired steam locomotive is pure poetry in motion!
