Steam & Excursion > UP 4012 Back In Steam?

I'd like to know everyones thoughts on this subject. I read somewhere, ( I forget now where ) that the people operating Steamtown said that it could be possible to get UP 4012 back in steam.  Aside form the massive funding it would take, there's the question of whether or not curves and bridges could support it's massive weight. Hypothetically, if 4012 were rebuilt to operational status, should it be done along the lines of the way 4014 was? What are your thoughts?

apollo17 Wrote:
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> I'd like to know everyones thoughts on this
> subject. I read somewhere, ( I forget now where )
> that the people operating Steamtown said that it
> could be possible to get UP 4012 back in steam. 
> Aside form the massive funding it would take,
> there's the question of whether or not curves and
> bridges could support it's massive weight.
> Hypothetically, if 4012 were rebuilt to
> operational status, should it be done along the
> lines of the way 4014 was?

No, since Steamtown doesn't have THAT much money!

What are your thoughts?

I would much rather see Steamtown spend the money to finish their 3713 and then rebuild either NKP 759 or Reading 2124.

Steamtown's biggest locomotives are all types that there are other operational versions of now (well, will be again soon on the T1). I'm a fan of getting at least one of everything possible back in steam (as much as my childhood adoration of 759 and 2124 is strong).

A waste of taxpayer funds.  Even if I won BIG Powerball and offered to pay for it, there are few places to run it.   Not gonna happen!

The next door Alco/MLW fleet is more interesting, pulls more, smokes more and makes more noise.

Out

Yes and double head them but keep 4012 burning coal

I'm certainly no expert on cost comparisons, but I bet they could get several smaller engines running for the same cost. I'd rather see that.

Posted from Android

We just discussed the cosmetic restoration of 4012 back on 10/3, is that where this latest fantasy got started?

WHY???

This subject of what engines should be restored at Steamtown has been discussed on here several times in the past.  I agree with the idea of restoring the Reading 2124 for several reasons.  First of all it represents an engine from the Anthracite Coal Region.  Second, it is the most modern of the Reading T-1's that were saved in that it has all roller bearing axles.  Third for the fact that it was the first of the Reading T-1's to pull the famous Reading Rambles back in 1959.  To me, this will be the perfect locomotive to pull the excursion trains at Steamtown.  This is my opinion and that of others who agree.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

Well,...........let's see. It took them approx.20 years ( yes,years) to restore a little 0-6-0 to service. Based simply upon relative size and complexity that extrapolates to about 125 years it would take them to restore the 4012.  Who even knows if 125 years from now there will be railroads as we know them today?? With the advent of autonomous trucks on the horizon and all of our energy needs then being supplied by wind or solar it's entirely possible that railroads ( as we know them today) will exist only in our history books???

     At any rate thinking that Scanton could rstore a BB to service is beyond fantasy.....more like lunacy.

    IMHO-Ross Rowland 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/19 11:53 by co614.

Sorry to be a wet blanket but several competent steam mechanics report that the RDG 2124 is in the worst shape of any mainline locomotives at Steamtown.

Posted from Android

From what I read, 759 would be the cheapest to get back into service. 4012 = huge pile of money, huge amount of time, and huge headache in service. I am skeptical about ever seeing 3713 running in my lifetime, and I'm not that old!

Posted from Android

The 2124 was fired-up by the Reading Co., in 1959 for a Hollywood ‘Starring role’ in the film “ From the Terrace”, Paul Newman, etc..
The Opening scene was filmed inside the CNJ’s Terminal at Communipaw, NJ...across from Lower Manhattan.
What a stirring way to start that movie!

The CNJ movie location was necessitated by the fact that the 2100s were too heavy for Philly’s Reading Terminal.
So, Hollywood posted common Philly-area advertising posters in the background of the Communipaw arrival tracks where
2124 was filmed.

Later, in 1960, the Reading Co. decided to revive the Reading Rambles, using 2124,  for Pennsylvania families to enjoy riding over the Reading’s rails..  That started 5 years of those fabulous trips.... 8 to 10 trips a year...

After getting out of the Air Force in the spring of ‘64, it was on those Rambles that I was smitten by BIG Steam...
The 2124 had been retired by ‘64.  But, I got to know 2100 and 2102 —- as they ran out their final year of operation over the Reading...

Later,  I operated 2102, in 1971, 72 & 73 after it was bought by Bill Benson...and his Company, Steam Tours, Inc.
Like the rest of the Class, 2102 was a fabulous machine... very forgiving..

​W. 



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/19 15:49 by wcamp1472.

             It would unnecessary to spend as much money restoring UP 4012 'like the 4014 was' because most likely there would be no need. Chrome bling in the cab to show off is a waste.

Prior to choosing another engine for restoration, the first question Steamtown staff should ask is, "does this engine fit on our turntable?"  UP 4012, RDG 2124, and maybe one or two others would be ruled out by this logic.  If you're not Union Pacific, restoring another Big Boy would be alot like putting a blue whale in your local aquarium.

And I have to agree with the poster above, who states the budget it takes to restore UP 4012 would get several smaller engines in steam, which Steamtown could actually run.

Some people are never satisfied.

3713 would be a better candidate than the Reading engine because: it's already been started and it would be refreshing for an engine other than an NKP Berk, Reading Northern etc., to run. (Besides isn't another Reading Northern under restoration as we speak?) The 3713 is a big Pacific, passenger train engine,  so it won't disappoint. Yes, the idea of another Big Boy under steam and at Steamtown doesn't make any sense.

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/19 18:52 by wabash2800.

I would find it hard to find a worse idea than Steamtown restoring 4012 to operation.  Mind you, that's just my opinion.  The 3713 would be far better suited to their needs as would the NKP engine.  Frankly I don't see a whole lot getting done, but maybe things will happen.

If that ever happened I know it be a lot better run than 4014 they have the know how and not the ego the UP Steam Program has!