Working rail roads and their tracks.

[kenmbz]

BIG boy update
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Union Pacific Steam Club​

​ ​

​ Union Pacific Steam Club Update No. 29 - June 22, 2023 ​ ​ ​ As part of the Home Run Express Steam Tour, Union Pacific offered a rare opportunity for rail fans to bid on a ride in the cab of the historic Big Boy 4014, the world's largest steam locomotive. All funds raised were to support Union Pacific Railroad Museum, a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing American history through the lens of the railroad and connecting generations who have been impacted by Union Pacific. Unfortunately, the contest was manipulated by an individual and did not result in an award to the highest bidder. Our goal is supporting the Union Pacific Museum, and we are now selling two tickets for $9500 each with all proceeds benefitting the museum. Tickets go on sale at 5 p.m. central time, June 23 at www.uptraintix.com. We are excited to welcome these true rail fans onto the Big Boy for the experience of a lifetime. Anyone who wants to learn more about the Union Pacific Railroad Museum or to donate can visit www.uprrmuseum.org. Thanks Omaha! ​ Thanks everyone for stopping out to see the Big Boy in Omaha! If you haven't had a chance, stop by Home Plate at 12th and Cuming Saturday and Sunday, June 24-25 from noon until 6 p.m. ​ Home Run Express Return Route ​ A reminder that the Big Boy begins the return trip home back to Cheyenne on Thursday, June 29. Check out the schedule at UPsteam.com!​

Unfortunately, the contest was manipulated by an individual !
sad

 

[BoylermanCT]

Wonder what the manipulation was?

 

[caver]

Ooops Train derails into Yellowstone River in Stillwater County

 

[kenmbz]

Better picture of the New Hope RR Diesel.

 

[bcp]

Bruce

 

[5030]

Ooops Train derails into Yellowstone River in Stillwater County

Looks to me like a bridge failure.

 

[5030]

Bruce

Very low participation from what I see.

 

[Hay Dude]

Bruce

Real close to where I live, yet never rode it. Maybe 40 miles north of me.

 

[California]

Anybody interested in this? Golden Gate Live Steamers in Tilden Park, on the ridge above Berkeley, is a nearly century-old club of enthusiasts who build and operate live scale models.

My cousin who is an engineer and also designs and maintains the electronics/signals, hosts an annual family reunion there.

Saturday my grandson who is fascinated with the simple Lionel layout I set up for him, was in awe all day riding as a passenger and watching the locomotives run.

Some stock photos:

Grandson had a huge smile all day!
At the roundtable.

 

[ArlyA]

Was hoping to keep this on real trains used in industry... What does everyone else think?

 

[California]

Was hoping to keep this on real trains used in industry... What does everyone else think?

I don't mind complying if that seems to be the view of the audience.

 

[Peter 315]

Was hoping to keep this on real trains used in industry... What does everyone else think?

I like it a train is a train no matter what size...

 

[Hay Dude]

Was hoping to keep this on real trains used in industry... What does everyone else think?

I think you like to micromanage too much. lol

 

[California]

Maybe the steam models belong in a different thread.

For me, what I admire most is the work the builders have put into them. The modelers seem to be mostly retired machinists etc who have thousands of hours invested before their baby runs.

I spoke to one owner who told me he has about 2,000 hours into just maintenance of a 2-8-2 scale model that the original builder 40 years ago spent some 5,000 hours creating.

My cousin, a retired electronics tech, (and patent owner) has put a lot of work into the signals system that is as complex as a real railroad. Interlocking go/no signaling, remote operated switches that automatically halt a train facing a switch open the wrong way, live communication system, lots more.

The craftsmanship on everything is amazing.

 

[BravoXray]

View attachment 807699
Better picture of the New Hope RR Diesel.

Great looking old GP30! Not many of those around any more.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Looks to me like a bridge failure.

After the flooding on that river a few months ago, I am thinking bridge scour. The compacted material under the pier got washed downstream and the void filled in with sand and small material. I saw something about this on The History Channel MM Engineering Disasters episode about a freeway bridge in the Northeast. Other than dynamite, I can't think of any other reason that pier would collapse

 

[ArlyA]

After the flooding on that river a few months ago, I am thinking bridge scour. The compacted material under the pier got washed downstream and the void filled in with sand and small material. I saw something about this on The History Channel MM Engineering Disasters episode about a freeway bridge in the Northeast. Other than dynamite, I can't think of any other reason that pier would collapse

I thought the same thing since the river was up. Here is a video about that.

 

[kenmbz]

Very low participation from what I see.

The big holidays it is quite packed, but it is very expensive.
Bar car is usually the most crowded, and most expensive.
We pass by their maintenance yard and it is pretty messy, but they do have quite a few spares being worked on for the cars.

 

[the old grind]

The big holidays it is quite packed, but it is very expensive.
Bar car is usually the most crowded, and most expensive.

IMO, compared to going into orbit, flying to Disney World for a weekend, or skydiving I suggest that any train ride is cheap and low-risk enjoyment for the bucks. (My para-sail ride in Cabo was too short, but still worth it)

Anyway, I can afford the bar car but still want a window seat available to sit by while I sober-up.

 

[ArlyA]

at Presque Isle Park in Marquette MI today. I posted the last boat-RR pics in the boat thread, so I'll swtich it up today. Who can tell me what the goofy looking dock on the right is for?