Steam & Excursion > UP Steam program question

It is my understanding that Ed is the only qualified operator of steam engines in the UP program. Has that changed? Any other qualified employees? What is the process to be "certified"(correct term?). Are employees in the process--nearing qualification?

dougd Wrote:
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> It is my understanding that Ed is the only
> qualified operator of steam engines in the UP
> program.

That's what he SAYS!!! But not quite true.

Has that changed? Any other qualified
> employees? What is the process to be
> "certified"(correct term?). Are employees in the
> process--nearing qualification?

Please explain and elaborate

thanks
D.

Needs to maintain that illusion for job security.

under cutters tend to be very wary of people undercutting them..

There are employees qualified on steam on the UP outside of the wonderful steam program and the DL knows it. Here is the steam qualification test for the UP, answer any of the questions with a no and your not qualified.

1. Do you have a class one engineers license?
2. Are you GCOR & ABTH rules certified?
3. Do you have prior Steam experience in operations?
4. Are you the Ed "DL" Dickens locomotive expert?

CS



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/17/17 12:52 by CaliforniaSteam.

Ted is a qualified engineer on the UP and he has operated the locomotive before.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

Bob3985 Wrote:
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> Ted is a qualified engineer on the UP and he has
> operated the locomotive before.

Absolutely! He is the one that forgot that he still had the MU'ed diesel wound up in throttle 6 or 7, while trying to slow down and stop at the service stop, in Texas. End result, flattened driver tires.

HotWater Wrote:
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> Bob3985 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Ted is a qualified engineer on the UP and he
> has
> > operated the locomotive before.
>
> Absolutely! He is the one that forgot that he
> still had the MU'ed diesel wound up in throttle 6
> or 7, while trying to slow down and stop at the
> service stop, in Texas. End result, flattened
> driver tires.
Sounds like a steam locomotive that lost it's drawer pin while running. It's not like people don't make mistakes. Not everybody perfect

Posted from Android

True, but Ed Dickens thinks otherwise which is why 3985's parked, make changes to 844 to make her look pretty at all times, trash the old records, and always talk negative about the old steam crew!

Posted from Android

nycstl Wrote:
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> HotWater Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Bob3985 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Ted is a qualified engineer on the UP and he
> > has
> > > operated the locomotive before.
> >
> > Absolutely! He is the one that forgot that he
> > still had the MU'ed diesel wound up in throttle
> 6
> > or 7, while trying to slow down and stop at the
> > service stop, in Texas. End result, flattened
> > driver tires.
> Sounds like a steam locomotive that lost it's
> drawer pin while running. It's not like people
> don't make mistakes. Not everybody perfect

Well, to be clear, there was no "mistake" made when the engine-to-tender drawbar pin on 4449 fell out! The safety retaining plate broke and disappeared.

Conversely, the "nut on the seat" forgot to bring the MU'ed diesels back to idle, on the Diesel MU Control Box, while applying the automatic train air for the slow down and stop. The incompetence was compounded when the current manager, rushed over to the Engineer's position, pulled the power reverse into reverse, and then opened the throttle!

It really eats at you guys, doesn't it? How it turned out that no one of importance cares what you say.

Mike Soriano
Denville, NJ

YardGoat Wrote:
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> It really eats at you guys, doesn't it? How it
> turned out that no one of importance cares what
> you say.

That's just your opinion. The rest of the folks working in the steam locomotive industry sure as hell know what's going on!

YardGoat Wrote:
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> It really eats at you guys, doesn't it? How it
> turned out that no one of importance cares what
> you say.

Glad someone else feels as I do. Anyone else getting tired of every thread about UP Steam gets stolen by the nay Sayers?

Sorry this thread turned into another Ed bash......but you know what? We like it! I enjoy(seriously) hearing Jack and the others tell the truth about Mr. DL. I am still waiting for anyone to ask him serious questions in public at one of his speeches. Ask about 3985 and why he hates it. Ask about why all the bling, ask about the current water treatment and blow downs. Ask why a boiler cleaning takes 3 years. Ask about the high turnover rate of the shop,......

I could go on but others can fill in here

Posted from iPhone

YardGoat Wrote:
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> It really eats at you guys, doesn't it? How it
> turned out that no one of importance cares what
> you say.

And you know this how??? It really bugs you when someone speaks the truth at is snaps you out of your kool-aide buzz.....

CS

ATSF429 Wrote:
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>
> Glad someone else feels as I do. Anyone else
> getting tired of every thread about UP Steam gets
> stolen by the nay Sayers?

Not every thread turns out like this..... Sorry the truth about the state of the glorious UP steam program isn't always pretty these days. Find a safe space quick...

CS

YardGoat Wrote:
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> It really eats at you guys, doesn't it? How it
> turned out that no one of importance cares what
> you say.

So, YOU are someone of importance?

I am reminded of the Scripture that says ' as I judge, so I will be judged". It helps me a lot as I tend to often think of myself as wiser than most others.

On the immediate subject let's celebrate that the 844 is out and about and running smartly and that the Big Boy is in the process of coming back to life.

Let's also hope that the few other mainline steamers run safely and well.

IMHO-Ross Rowland

I think that Hotwater may not come across too well but what he speaks he knows for a fact unlike others who speculate. I have asked him questions off of here so things wouldn't get out of hand. He answers very nicely to them, I know that info I receiver is true also. Thanks for the info Hotwater.