Two wonderful discoveries in Nebraska, today. Kenefick Park is connected to Luritzen Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska. As most know, Big Boy 4023 was placed on a bluff, overlooking the bridge connecting Omaha to Council Bluffs, several years ago. I found them after having to search fairly vigorously. 4023 was the last Big Boy to leave a U.P. roundhouse, kept pristine for about 20 years before being placed outdoors on display. Today she is in place where she'll never be removed. Could it be done? Yes. Likely the money will be spent? Never. Even so, the redeeming fact is her condition and parameters of the display. The locomotive is beautifully finished, and well greased. Her paint is immaculate and here's another interesting fact, even though the smokebox and lettering look gray, they are in fact, graphite and silver, respectively. He cab is sealed, blocked from easy entry, and stripped of any tempting jewelry. The whistle is a replacement. It is fairly obvious that some parts have been removed; perhaps for 3875? Her sand domes have been stripped of pipes and filled with foam urethane. I don't believe asbestos lagging has yet been removed. Oh yes, there was also a Diesel.
Aurora the steam dog, along with my wife. Two of the best things to visit Omaha, today.
Two hundred miles later, in Cody Park, North Platte, I found the other Challenger, 3977, survivor of snow melter service. What a gorgeous display! She's immaculate, painted in the gray ghost scheme, fully illuminated, and appears ready to run. This portion of the park abutts a neighborhood, too. Not vandalism, not theft, just a perfect display of railroad equipment. Oh yes, another one of those Diesels. :-)
