Is there a link to this article or the pictures? I honestly dont believe that UP is scrapping anything from the steam program. Last I heard they were more or less renovating the roundhouse to be easier to work in.

I hate to break it to you, but he was caught hiding in the dumpster by an employee. If you want to call the guy a liar, be my guest. Some things have happened at that shop that are totally bizarre, so I understand why some find it a little difficult to believe, but on the other hand, many of you have no idea what goes on in the "real" world of big
corporations and certain nutballs employed by them.

If you are unconvinced, that's fine and dandy. Those people posting are there, you aren't.

If you're not a subscriber you may not see much but here are the photos: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/r ... 166,page=1

Well that's just downright silly but okay. They still cried from the mountaintop too often. When the whole "he evicted the model railroad club" thing happened I asked around and was told they were asked to move a trailer but were not homeless. If you're caught in a lie (or at least an exaggeration) it makes me question the other things that have been yelled from on high.

You, sir, are behind the times. They were told to move two trailers off of company property last fall, which they did. In December, they were told to have all of their stuff out of the roundhouse and off the property by January 31, which they are in the process of doing now.

It's the Sherman Hill Model Railroad Club, if you wish to verify rather than vilify.

Okay fine, I'm not trying to rehash everything. My point was their message could have been better conveyed instead of being so childish. Construcitive feedback is always more effective.

It appears their methods and information, all easily verifiable, (and actually just the tip of the iceberg), got results.

How is your methodology working out?

I don't know what you're looking for. I still feel there's a better way to handle information. If you feel differently that's fine.

Then we will agree to disagree. Here's what I'm saying. Prove me wrong.

There are bunch of people who neither know nor care what happens.

There are some who are still in denial.

There are some who sat around wringing their hands and tired to be nice about everything.

There are those inside and out of the program who were not afraid to call a spade and spade and raise hell about it until they got the attention of Omaha and got something done.

The first 3 groups accomplished exactly nothing. Some of them are now prancing around claiming credit for things they never did and others are unhappy about the harsh rhetoric, never mind that it was all the truth.

The 4th group got Omaha to open their eyes and DO SOMETHING before it was too late.

This same or similar situation exists at other preservation/restoration/operation groups, especially the denial part.

In cases like this, it's better to do what works. The result proves it. This same method might not work someplace else, but it did here, and that is what matters.

EDIT: Fully aware that this will probably get locked in short order.

Before it gets locked, I think this move opens up some time for Mr. Dickens to participate in the defense in the two lawsuits filed against UP, naming him (in his capacity as a UP employee) as the culprit. One alleges sexual harassment, and is set for trial in June, and the other alleges age discrimination. I hear the deposition in the sexual harassment suit didn't go well. If true, I imagine UP's outside counsel handling the case probably opened a few eyes in Omaha when reports were made.

Mmmkay.

Here's a more likely explanation: the Current Manager used all the projects he has started (adding a 3rd steam locomotive to the fleet, upgrading the roundhouse, etc.) as justification that running the Steam Shop is a Director-level job. The company agreed, posted the opening for a Director in Cheyenne and a current Director (in Little Rock) applied. The hiring committee then picked that Director instead of the current manager. (It is less risky to lateral an employee who has already demonstrated success at a level than to promote an employee who has not yet worked at that level.)

Nice theory. Except he has not upgraded ANYTHING, least of all the roundhouse, and he has dramatically downgraded the shop and the locomotives.

I am so glad to hear that the steam shop is the only thing of interest at Union Pacific. Forget talking about UP continuing inability to deliver for certain customers. Forget the UP recruter’s that do not talk to interested people because of the color of their skin. Forget their other business issues UP faces. Nope the MOST IMPORTANT THING GOING ON AT UP is in the steam shop.

I got news for you folks, I do not care about what happening in Cheyenne or the rest of the company. For a lot of people I know UP has not performed for years. Yet watching every move and endlessly discussing/criticizing every step at the shop is old and unproductive. Yet, if “As the Steam Shop Turns” is the most important thing in your life, then it speaks as much about you as it does the situation on UP. If your whole goal is to destroy a program that has created an interest in railroading by many then good luck. But at the end of the day I not see what UP does in Cheyenne concerns me or moves true preservation forward.
I have to admit one of the few things I appreciate about UP even keeping a historic fleet. Many people along UP mainline have enjoyed the historic fleet over many years. I really suggest that if someone truly supports the efforts and appreciates both how long the historic fleet has even existed then you must realize that this beloved program has constantly had challenges to overcome. Many of the historical issues the historic fleet are not well known but the sudden want to be micro managers who are yelling constantly about what is happening at the shop are not doing anyone any good. Instead of worrying about every little detail of your neighbor’s life and then taking every opportunity putting to put down the neighbor, why not work on things you can improve. You just might find it more productive.


Robby Peartree

I wonder why someone takes pains to say he doesn't care about the issue is so insistent on inserting himself and his opinions about other, irrelevant stuff into the issue.

Well, your entitled to your feelings, but I have been a customer of Union Pacific for years! Other than a derailment snafu last year in a severe snow/cold snap, I have enjoyed very good service from them. Their road crews, maintenance and support folks have worked very hard to give us a high level of service that I needed. That said, as a customer, I am very pleased to see that they are finally setting this heritage fleet disaster on a course for the better. Our company feels that it is our duty to make the communities that we do business in a better place to be because of our presence. The steam program does that across their entire system. As a customer, I feel that it does indeed add value and it is something we support. (The 3985 & 844 have both pulled excursions and special event trains past our facility in the past, and we hope to have them again.