That 'nose overhang' on curves got the 3985 into trouble while visting the Clinchfield. True, it was because of a track realignment done well after the Clinchfield's own 4-6-6-4s were long gone, but bears keeping in mind. I'm sure, though, in this day and age of GPS, computer mapping and simulation, the UP Engineering and Operating departments have a real good idea of where a 4000 can and cannot operate, even this early in the game.

I agree fully. It's silly to think anyone at UP hadn't figured all this out before they went this far.

I don't think anyone is saying they haven't figured it out. I know I wasn't.

I was simply commenting on how, for many years, the attitude was "It can't be done!" and "It will never happen". Some of the comments were from PR Flacks, but they also came from those up close and personal with the program, and presumably ones who would have loved to see it happen. I'm pretty certain if they'd believed money was the issue, they'd have simply said "We can't afford to restore one".

My question isn't so much "Is it possible" to "What changed?" Did they find out the concerns weren't as bad as they thought they were? Maybe the windmill trains and their huge blades convinced them it's possible?

Nobody has talked about where and when this thing will run yet, at least not that I've heard. Maybe it will be run system wide, maybe they'll build a 10 mile loop of custom track someplace in Wyoming, or maybe it's going to roll back and forth on 100 feet of straight track in front of company HQ when you push a button. (Verified Shareholders of UP stock can also blow the whistle using their golden key.)

Joking aside, I am curious to the backstory, though it may never be known. Was it really possible all along? Have things changed? Are they going to do any track modifications? I don't see them installing new turntables just for this, but there's other solutions, such as running one way trips for a long distance to a place where turning is feasible, in the same manner as 844 does some of the employee trips.

So I'm not betting they can't make it work, I know they can. But I do wonder about the details.

There are many cab signal equipped PRR steam locomotives in East Strassburg Pa., so it should have been no problem to borrow parts and make sure that 1223 had working cab signals for the trip.

Based on my experiences working for railroads and negotiating with others, the change of heart at UP, just like getting GG-1 4935 back on Amtrak, was partly because someone retired or moved to a different job, and was replaced by someone else with a different opinion. [sarcasm]The previous person may now work for CSXT in their Anti-steam Department.[/sarcasm]

That's easy... When they get it done, they're sending it to China.

(Well, it is the 1st, and with the events of the last week, this has to be the new Fool's Day)

I did not know that Union Pacific owed you, or anyone else on this board an explanation of their plans.

Might I remind those who post here and make demands or wonder why they have not been included in "the loop" that Union Pacific is a private, shareholder-owned corporation. They owe answers only to their owners in this subject, and frankly, as one of them, I'm not asking questions as long as my dividends keep getting reinvested in more UP stock.

Be happy you are getting the information they are giving out.

More foam here than when Ensign Pulver blew up the ship's laundry.

How about this to chew on: Maybe the secret funder of this scheme is Omaha favorite son and owner of the competition, Warren Buffett.

Before you even ask: That's the beauty of it.

Bwahahahahahah.

Steve

Lol re: foam.

For my two cents, UP has found their rebuttal to the NS toy train ad in terms of creativity and sheer fun to convey a goodwill message.

Wesley

Best post in this thread.

Take it easy, some real pros are in charge, and they've got the resources and the backing.

And yes, once again, thanks UP!

Some earlier discussion on this, with other comments on running gear design and ability to round curves.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34210

You just go around looking to pick fights, don't you?

So, wiseguy, show me where I said that they should provide that info, or that I felt they owed it to me, or any of the other nonsense you implied.

I simply stated that since the info has not been supplied, it's too early to know which tracks the engine will operate on and whether or not they'll have to do anything to accommodate the Big Boy. Presumably it will run over much of the system like 844. But whether that is actually the case or not is unclear at this time.

Disclaimer - No, UP Does not owe any of us this information, whether or not we're a stockholder. Subject to change without notice. It's their railroad and they can do whatever they want. Yes, I'm fully confident they are aware of the situation and have it handled. After all, they even say "We can handle it!"

I disclaim all liability, including liability for infringement of any proprietary rights, relating to use of information in this specification. I do not warrant or represent that such use will not infringe such rights. In fact, that’s a very strong possibility.

Nothing in this document constitutes a guarantee, warranty, or license, express or implied. I disclaim all liability for all such guaranties, warranties, and licenses, including but not limited to: fitness for a particular purpose; merchantability; non-infringement of intellectual property or other rights of any third party; indemnity; and all others. The reader is advised that third parties may have intellectual property rights that may be relevant to this document and the technologies discussed herein, and is advised to seek the advice of competent legal counsel, without obligation to the original poster. If you've read this far and aren't laughing, google "Humor" and lighten up already.

from steamlocomotive.com

What is the Sharpest Curve a Big Boy can Negotiate?
The sharpest curve the Big Boys could negotiate was a 20 degree curve. In HO scale, this would be a 40 inch radius curve.

get out your calculators and figger it out

20 degrees is a pretty sharp curve. A Reading T-1 was limited to 19 degrees, I believe. Modern-day railroads do not want to install curves sharper than 16 degrees even on industrial tracks. So a Big Boy can go just about anywhere a modern diesel can go, as long as the ties are good.

Yes, but at what speed? I witnessed N&W 611 reach some rip-roarin', above-what-the-rule-book-authorized speeds on the ramrod-straight stretches of the old Nickel Plate, but I also saw her "reined in" considerably by her speed restrictions on curves (10 mph below TT-posted restrictions on all curves) because of a high center of gravity combined with no-longer-superelevated-for-J's curve track structure. I also watched NS tip-toe and coax 611 ever so gently through the wye at Toccoa, Ga. during her final scheduled season runs (Nov. 12, 1994--almost nineteen years ago--sheesh.....).

Again, the engineer I spoke with never said that using a 4000 was not possible; he just said it was "impractical" given what accommodations might have to be made for one's operation in the 21st century.