The #4014 will be using #3985's tender for this trip, and unconfirmed sources say they have already been joined. It IS true that #4014's tender is sitting alone outside the steam shop. When I used to ride UP steam excursions regularly in the 80s and 90s, there was always fine print in the advertising and on the tickets that said "Union Pacific reserves the right to substitute motive power if necessary" or words to that effect. That gets them off the hook legally right there, although it would still be a huge disappointment.

It will be interesting to see the turnout for the various events. I suspect that there will be a lot of attendance from the railfan community all around the US, and so attendance could be considerable. That said, I totally agree with your statement that in general, people today are far more interested in tweeting, texting and taking selfies than spending a day in a museum. I think its a sad commentary.

The upcoming anniversary represents a seminal moment in American history. For nearly 250 years, people of European ancestry had been in this country and yet in May of 1869, much of society was still pretty primitive. People still lived in simple, wooden structures, the cooked over open fires and lighted their homes with oil lamps. They traveled largely on horseback or on foot. The industrial revolution was just getting on its feet. Exactly 100 years and 2 months later, Neil and Buzz were walking on the moon. There's another anniversary that's coming up to remind me how old I am. :o)

/Kevin Madore

I'd like to add a great big second and amen to Rob's post. If the 4014 doesn't make the trip, the world will not come to an end, UP will not go out of business and life will go on. As far as historical events go, I suspect that the big thing this year will be the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing or, as a baseball fan, the cellar dweller Mets winning the 1969 World Series. 1969 was a heckuva year!

I have been wondering kind of the opposite: Can Tourist RR's and museums take advantage of the U. P. publicity generated?

Maybe give the local news a piece about your museum, and ask them to run it if they run a UP story?

"If you liked that last story; do you like to ride trains? Did you know that right here in Everytown, USA, you can take your kids..." or some such?

Agreed Kimball, many railroads like the Nevada northern, niles Canyon, and Nevada State are having special events to celebrate the 150. (Actually all of the above are operating multiple steam locomotives for the event!).

It’s so odd how negative members of this board are to the upcoming and current generation, and to to the future of preservation. When I talk to visitors, (the tourist railroad / museum I work for keeps setting attendance records... ) I’m meeting people of all ages that seem excited to see a steam locomotive in operation, and want to ask what it burns, when it was built, etc. it’s because of those electronic devices that people of all ages can discover what operations exist, the history of locomotives.

In my opinion if you think “nobody cares about history” than you aren’t talking to people and you’re only showing your own arrogance and ignorance.

Even if, big if, 4014 is not running, it will look like a polished watch. I see zero downside.

Reality, I think, will be 15-40 seconds on broadcast news and perhaps 10 seconds on cable news the day of the event. Cancel that depending on what happens in Washington that day or the night before.

I would say it is highly successful if I see any postings on social media from my non-foamer friends.

Bob

#1 I think they are absolutely NUTS to take this down to the wire like this. Hopefully they left a little more clearance in the rod bushings this time!

#2 Let's be honest-it really didn't make THAT many waves when the spectator was killed a couple years back, and you can't get much worse PR then that. As long as no one gets injured or killed, this trip will basically be a success, even if the engine breaks down. 844 will back up 4014, and the diesel will back them both up.

Agreed, Bob.

The rumors of Woodstock’s 50th being in trouble are a much bigger concern to the general public. I am planning on being at Watkins Glen and Ogden, but if things don’t play out, well so be it. What’s missing from the conversation is that there is a lot of really good steam news out west that has nothing to do with the UP. Silver linings are plentiful this year.

If we were talking about the Flying Scotsman missing a debut at Kings Cross, maybe the general public would care. We don’t have that same kind of interest here. Some buffs will cheer failure, most will root for success. All the reasonable ones will understand either way.

Rob

I cannot figure out where the strong undercurrent of pessimism is coming from! Yes, the UP steam program had some(!) teething problems, but that was YEARS and a successful 1472 Day Inspection ago. The gloom and doomers were certain that 844 would explode and kill half of Cheyenne! I think those folks are still upset that the world did not come to an end! The 4014 is going to be a star in a week and we can take that to the bank. There is absolutely no reason to suspect that any corners were clipped or any shortcuts taken. In fact, given the revisions to nearly every shop practice and process the likelihood of success could hardly be higher.

UP Steam is in better hands than ever and it is because the practices used by the "old hands" have largely been left behind in favor of modern ISO practices. Perhaps this is the source of all of the discontent. Yes, the machine is still a 1940's steam locomotive, but we've learned a lot in the last 60 years that we can apply to its operation and upkeep. It is imperative that we move away from the old ways of doing things where it makes sense, especially with these large and complex machines.

I know they just finished painting it. I would expect to see them do some light testing likely on Monday. I will be heading up to Cheyenne tomorrow to see if there is anything happening. If they can get it out on Monday it would give them just enough time for a break in run. Last time I talked to Ed he said they would probably do the break in run from Cheyenne to Greeley, Colorado where there is a wye. They could also make a short trip to the wye near the Wyoming travel and tourism center.

I always felt that running the #844 solo first wasn't the best idea. Had anything happen to the #844 en route to Utah, it would tie up the steam crew for probably a week. Then no steam engines would make it to Utah. At least if they go together if one engine has a problem they can put it in a siding and continue to Utah. Also double heading out of Cheyenne will really be something.

Just having a little flashback to the '70's ;0! Far out!

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Where can I buy those?