If you rumormonger enough, it will actually come to pass, right?

(Plants tongue firmly in right cheek)

Mike

If that were the case, by now Obama would have confirmed that he's a Muslim, was born in Kenya, falsified his college diploma, and is planning to replace Congress with a Communist junta.

So, no. <:-)

But if one is to judge from this forum, there are certainly lots of folks who believe it is so!

Mike

Careful....

Randy

Actually the take away lesson here, at least from my perspective, is this:

A cosmetically restored steam locomotive and an operational steam locomotive are two very different things. I don't care if it was given class repairs just before retirement. If it's been outside for 20+ years, then it is somewhat of a crapshoot as to the condition of various components. Nice paint and sheet metal can hide a multitude of things.

Plus, look at the USATC 2-8-0 that is in Alaska. An expert here implored that she was "nearly new." While on first glance, that may looked to have been the case, when the people in Alaska took her apart, they found some issues, as reported here. Sometimes, you just don't know what you are getting into, until you really take her apart.

That being said, I prefer to see my railroad artifacts under cover. Though, when driving to Omaha last year, I realized both locomotives make a powerful statement on top of the hill, as you drive by on I-80.

David Wilkins
Welcome to Union Pacific Country, MO

Just to update everyone on the 4014 rebuild. We are still waiting for the proposal from UP at this time. We spoke with Ed and he has said they are trying to get back to us by the end of the year. There is no other news at this time.

John M.
Treasurer of Rail Giants Museum.
Home of the 4014

So may we take it that 4014 is, in fact, a candidate for possible restoration to service by Union Pacific? I wonder if the owners of each remaining Big Boy got a similar overture?

I can not speak for the other owners of Big Boys. We were told by Ed ours is in great condition. And yes it is a candidate.

John M.

this is the bingo to me, it doesn't matter what engine you pick.

When I think about the PRR K4 under restoration I think any of the Big Boys are in better shape. The K4 is much older and needs careful TLC in its restoration.
If your thinking outdoors, general weather conditions do do exterior weathering, but like 765 for 13 years sat outside, it restored very well, so a Big Boy is extremely probable, no matter which one you pick.

Probably the other issue is the non-picked engines be ready to spare parts subbing.

I keep hearing all someone looking at all the exterior rust and say its in sad shape, you have to let rust work a long time to really burn out a steam engine boiler, I don't think 50 years can do it. Heck, go get the Big Boy that seems to be in the baddest saddest shape and restore it. No matter what engine your doing a full workover.