Steam & Excursion > From Any Angle This Massive Locomotive Dominated All Others!

One cannot help but find the Union Pacific Big Boys to be impressive from any angle the are viewed.  The steam giants simply take ones breath away in their shear size.

This scene taken in the Laramie, Wyoming yards in September 1956 shows UP #4005 and her crew moving to the coal chute to replenish the supply of coal before her next run.  On an adjoining track we see one of UP's early turbine locomotives.  The turbine unit seems to almost bow out of respect for the huge steam giant as she passes.

Oh to be around, when giants like #4005 roamed the earth!

Martin



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/16 03:41 by LoggerHogger.

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You've got a fine collection, Martin, and I really
look forward to your daily offerings.

Thanks!

John.

Worth mentioning this was the only 4000 to ever be oil fired. It does still exist today at the Forney Museum in Denver. I believe also it was second to last to be stricken from the UP roster being save as a parts source for the 4023.
I know, everbody knows this but maybe one person doesn't.
Steve



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/16 07:51 by wpjones.

Superb engineering and manufacturing by ALCO!

What amazes me is how an engineer weighing maybe 150 pounds can with his own two hands, control a 500+ ton locomotive and a 10,000-ton train and make 60mph with a body full of confindence.

Unfortunately I was around and driving then, but was more interested in females.   Wish I would have gone out there then.  Stupid.   Even didn't go see the IC in IL when it was still active in the late '50s.  More stupid.

TonyJ Wrote:
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> What amazes me is how an engineer weighing maybe
> 150 pounds can with his own two hands, control a
> 500+ ton locomotive and a 10,000-ton train and
> make 60mph with a body full of confindence.

150 pound engineers, especially those who have been at it for a while, are few and far between. Ask me how I know this.

They can start out at 150lbs. Never to see it again :)

Chico43 Wrote:
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> TonyJ Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What amazes me is how an engineer weighing
> maybe
> > 150 pounds can with his own two hands, control
> a
> > 500+ ton locomotive and a 10,000-ton train and
> > make 60mph with a body full of confindence.
>
> 150 pound engineers, especially those who have
> been at it for a while, are few and far between.
> Ask me how I know this.

I was being generous. Some engineers I've met would have had the same nickname as the locomotive. BIG BOY!

TonyJ Wrote:
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> I was being generous. Some engineers I've met
> would have had the same nickname as the
> locomotive. BIG BOY!

​As Curley would say, "I resemble that remark!"
 

When I worked as a Southern Calif. Edison Comm Tech, we had a tech who worked in the Newhall-Saugus area.  He was originally from Scotland and one of his first jobs as a young man was as a fireman (or as they say over there, "stoker") on steam locomotives running between England and Scotland.  He told me about getting to run the locomotive when going through open country because the engineer ("driver") would take a turn with the coal scoop to get in some exercise

Tender looks a bit ragged to me. Looks like some kind of smashed in panel.  Nonetheless amazing shot.

​Thanks again, Martin.

​Walter



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/16 19:34 by drumwrencher.

Normal centipede tender. There are cabinets lower front for the stoker engine and storage

drumwrencher Wrote:
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> Tender looks a bit ragged to me. Looks
> like some kind of smashed in panel.  Nonetheless
> amazing shot.
>
> ​Thanks again, Martin.
>
> ​Walter

This locomotive was involved in an accident on April 27, 1953 that resulted in the deaths of the engineer, fireman, and head brakeman.  It went over on its site when it ran into an improperly-aligned turnout at 50 mph.  The 4005 was repaired and put back in service and today resides in the Forney Transportation Museum in Denver.  The Museum maintains a page about the accident here:

http://www.forneymuseum.org/News_BigBoyWreck.html

A sight never to be repeated, coal or not

Posted from Android

This is one of my favorite images from 4014's trip over Sherman Hill for that very reason! They're very appropriately nicknamed.
~wko

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