Rayman4449

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2019/04/10-big-boy-no-4014-fired-up-for-the-first-time-may-12-excursion-announced

4014 in year 1948.

Looks great Jerry. I didnt even know they made one.

Big Boy 4019 is in the lead and 4014 as the road engine pulling double-head a freight in August 1958. 4014’s tender in this photo was originally engine 4015’s tender. To make the change, workmen simply painted a 4 over the 5. 4014 was retired with this tender and is still paired together to this day. Another photo: Three other general photos of 4014:

Interesting fact. The current tender on the 4014 was from 4015.

Posted by Scott G online: Much of what has been written about the 4005’s brief time as an oil burner speaks of problems with uneven heating in the firebox and broken staybolts. The Steam Crew has made an important change during the 4014 restoration that was not part of the 4005’s configuration when it burned oil in the 1940’s. When the UP converted a steam locomotive class from coal- to oil burning, they removed the firebrick arch and the circulator tubes that supported it. In the case of the FEF Northerns like the 844, that meant the arch tubes were removed. In the case of the large Challengers like the 3985 and the 4005 Big Boy, they removed the security circulators. Security circulators were large tubes that connected the water spaces along the side of the firebox with the water space above the crown sheet. They had several functions, one of which included promoting water circulation between areas filled with relatively cool water and the area above the crown sheet, where the most vigorous boiling occurred. During the steam era on the UP, oil burning power did not use security circulators in the firebox. This practice was not unique to the UP. Southern Pacific cab forwards also didn’t use circulators (you can see this in the firebox of the SP 4294 cab forward preserved in Sacramento—no circulators in its oil-burning firebox). On the other hand, the Santa Fe did use a type of circulator tubes in its large oil burning Northerns and 2-10-4’s. For the 4014’s conversion from coal to oil firing, the Steam Crew elected to keep the security circulators in the firebox to improve water circulation, and therefore reduce the uneven heating of the crown sheet that can excessively strain the boiler structure and lead to broken staybolts and leaks. You can see the 4014’s circulators in the photo captured during an Ed Dickens update video. Compare it to the photo of the 844’s firebox, which has no circulators or arch tubes. 4014: 844:

Having tested a second engine and confirmed similar behavior is a critical piece of information that I didn't see noted in the first post. If you've tested with another engine and have essentially replicated the problem, then I would check your wire connections to make sure they are solid and secure (in the DCS Commander and to the track). It is unlikely to be the DCS Commander itself and also unlikely to be the power supply. Since you are using direct-to-rail clamps (assuming they are all on tight), there can't be much else going on unless the brass track is really dirty/oxidized. Only other thing I can think of is if you have 2 switches in the loop, perhaps they aren't passing power for the rail cut by the frog.

Yes should have the output (has two pins) from the DCS Commander, with each pin going to one rail. Not having sold the engine or unit (as I test everything before sending) I would have to guess there is something wrong with the engine.

Need more information, How many engines do you own What does this mean "Have to push the loco to try and move and then not so far" What type of rail are you using? Brass, other? Do you have slider joiners for all the connections or are you using direct-to-rail clamps? What power supply are you using for the DCS Commander? What is the history of the engine? Did you buy it new/used and from where? Have you run this before successfully? How many feet of track do you have?

New photo: New Eccentric link and Trunnion forgings, all machined and ready for the installation of new needle bearings custom made for the UP 4014.

This video was just shared on FB (03/15/19) and got this backstory. Ed Dickens Friends, Enough time has passed that I can tell this story. This was a great evening, behind the scenes there was some coordination to simply to blow the whistle within a certain time period. Several individuals were aboard the train watching various political shows and enjoying the overall atmosphere of this fun evening. I was an engineer on the crew and was manning the locomotive display. We had the 844 sitting there under steam, capped stack, silent, standing by yet ready. One of the special agents, part of the security detail for our senior executives, approached me with a question about our ability to blow the whistle, I indicated yeah we can blow the whistle, he smiled at me and said I’ll call you and let you know. So I cracked a smile and turned to one of the other guys and said “let’s go light her off”. So I got up into the cab made a few preparations and within minutes had the fire lit. As the evening went on the crowds got larger and larger. Imagine sitting inside the cab of a steam locomotive with the 32 volt lightbulbs illuminating the steam wafting from the injector and the overall magical atmosphere of a 450 ton steam locomotive in the dark of night. The youthful crowds were growing by the hour as people were milling about the engine. I was leaning out of the cab speaking to people when suddenly my phone went off, I looked down and noticed a number from Texas....it was our friendly special agent telling me “now would be a good time“. One of the former foreman was sitting in the engineers seat and I called over to him and said “blow the whistle”. You have to realize that blowing the whistle on our steam locomotives is something that we don’t take lightly and unless you have established discipline, the whistle can be blown for all kinds of reasons, often times becoming a general nuisance and/or potentially startling the many unsuspecting bystanders, especially young children. So generally speaking with rare exceptions only engineers sound the whistle, it’s just the way it is on our crew. The moment I told him to blow the whistle he looked at me with a terrified look on his face and replied “I’m not going to blow the whistle“ and immediately got out of the seat as if it were spring loaded, I said “I’ll blow the whistle” so I went over to that side of the cab sat down, and the rest is history as you can see from the video. We blew it a few more times than what is shown on the video and then stopped… It wasn’t long before an official from MSNBC came over and very politely asked me if we could refrain from making so much noise as it was interfering with their live broadcast. I politely shook his hand and indicated that we would likely stop blowing it eventually. We said our goodbyes and he walked off into the night....a few minutes later I gave them a few more just to make sure they knew we were still there. Almost immediately someone from of the business cars sent a runner to our location and he quickly climbed into the cab and said in a breathless and stern voice “who told you to blow the whistle!!!” There was a silence in the cab, and I spoke up and I said “Jim Young did” with a smile on my face, his demeanor quickly changed and his posture softened and he quietly said “oh.....OK”. He quickly left and that’s the last we heard of anything about blowing the whistle....until the next morning. Several special agents came up, shook my hand and gave me more UP Police challenge coins. They witnessed firsthand others in the business cars enjoying with great delight on live TV, the loud voice of the 844 speaking that night during the 2008 DNC.

Photo from 3/15/19

This is excellent info to have saved out here and results are incredible, thank you for posting

The 150th Transcontinental Railroad anniversary schedule has now been released with the 4014 leaving for the event on May 4th. https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm Photo inside 4014 cab:

Latest 611 excursion info: The Norfolk & Western Class J 611 will head to Strasburg Rail Road for four weekends of special events in September and October The Norfolk & Western Class J 611, a National Historic Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, is known as an engineering powerhouse of steam, technology, and near mechanical perfection. The Strasburg Rail Road is America's oldest operating railroad and home to the Norfolk & Western Class M #475 The Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc., and the Strasburg Rail Road Company announce that the famous Norfolk & Western Class J 611 steam passenger locomotive will head to Pennsylvania's Amish Country this fall for four weekends of special events and appearances. The once-in-a-never events include being a passenger behind the famous locomotive on the Rail Road's property, opportunities to operate and fire the locomotive, and cab rides. Photo charters, classic car shows, educational behind-the-scene shop tours, and family-centered events will round out the exciting four weeks. "Since its restoration, the Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT) has sought opportunities for the 611 to engage people from all walks of life," said Brian Barton, VMT board member. "The partnership with the Strasburg Rail Road allows us to spark a fascination with steam locomotives and transportation, our history, steam technology, mechanical engineering, and design. The Revolution of Steam For Strasburg Rail Road, home to the revered Norfolk & Western Class M locomotive #475, hosting the Class J 611 is an unprecedented event. "Reuniting 475 and 611 is a rare opportunity for railfans and heritage railroad tourists alike," said Steve Barrall, station master at Strasburg Rail Road. "When the two locomotives are side-by-side, you will see, hear, and feel how the Norfolk & Western Railway revolutionized steam technology in under 50 years." The N&W Class M #475, a 4-8-0 locomotive, was built in 1906 by Baldwin Locomotive Works and put into service by the Norfolk & Western hauling freight and coal trains. Soon after, the railway decided to design and build its locomotives using cutting-edge technology and engineering. The N&W Class J 611 is the sole survivor of 14 Class J steam locomotives designed and built by the Norfolk & Western Railway. The locomotive rolled out of Roanoke's East End Shops in 1950. Its mission was to pull the Powhatan Arrow, a 15-car passenger train, from Norfolk, Virginia, to Cincinnati, Ohio. The special events at the Strasburg Rail Road include: September 28-29: A Norfolk & Western Railway Steam Reunion October 4-6: Railfan Photography Extravaganza October 12-14: Rail & Road: A Transportation Evolution October 19-20: At the Throttle of Norfolk & Western Steam Tickets can be found at strasburgrailroad.com. Norfolk Southern was instrumental in bringing the two organizations together. "Without the support from Norfolk Southern, the VMT would not be allowed to ferry the locomotive to special events," Barton said. "For the safety of the railroad's crews, railfans, and the general public, the ferry moves will not be announced beforehand."

Can you possibly use electrical tape to tape them in place till you can reassemble and remove after?

The UP is attempting to get a waiver from the FRA from being required to equip their engines with PTC on their Steam locomotives. (Thanks to Chuck for the info) FTC just responded: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FRA-2018-0070-0004 Summary from the letter: - FTC said UP is currently covered for the 2019 operating year under previous waivers granted. - For overall long term waiver, UP needs to provide full technical (and/or legal) reasons on why PTC isn't feasible to equip on steam locomotives. So a second application/reply will likely be sent.

Thomas, nothing came through in your post. If you had a question or comment need to try again.

Great info Keith, thank you for sharing and welcome to the forums

Not yet.

So you are aware, the biggest potential issues you may have with a USA Big Boy will be: Wheel power pickups causing shorts: (Great writeup by Chuck) And engine shorting out the layout (due to die cast parts of body touching driver rims/flanges and/or made worse by the above issue.)

Just to reply on this thread, MTH has announced new GS-4 One gauge production as of 2017 catalog so get your orders in. See my website to preorder.

Hi there, The Big Boy as a model continues to be one of the most popular steam models from what I have seen as a Dealer. For what it's worth I think USA will continue to produce them, even if there is an extended period of time of out of stock on some models that might be due to the investment costs of the new FEF. I would contact Charles Ro (USA Trains directly) 781-321-0090 and see what they have in stock and order direct from them. If your question is about wanting to buy used to save money then that is another thing. I think your caution on who to purchase from is well founded and especially considering how much they cost. I'm not aware of anyone selling a USA Big Boy on this forum that I'm aware of (as of right now) and honestly if you are willing to spend the full selling price I would just buy from Charles Ro/USA Trains directly. You really shouldnt have any problems with buying new direct from USA. Remember the one instance you are talking about where the user on this forum struggled to repair serious damage (believe you are talking about Ben's situation), that isn't entirely clear if the engine had that damage before being sent and that was purchased/obtained at a heavy discount (as I recall). So that was not the normal purchase scenario. If you buy a new model from USA Trains directly and you have problems with damage, just call them up and they will get you taken care of (this is another reason to buy direct from them). The way these engines are packaged it should be just about impossible for them to be damaged in shipping unless the shipper destroys the case.

This photo shows use of Aristocraft 19.5 degree crossover. At the time I built this layout in 2006 the two crossovers I knew of were 19.5 deg and 30deg so 19.5 would have been the closest match.

Hi there, see this link for details: http://www.rayman4449.com/Basement_Ramp_Rebuild_2006.htm