UP Announces 4014 to run again in 2021

mcgrath618 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:54 pm **Posts:** 235

Crescent-Zephyr wrote:

mcgrath618 wrote:

Steering the conversation a bit, apparently the plans include a visit to the Pacific Northwest. Ed apparently also went on a scouting trip to St. Louis.

St. Louis is in the Pacific NW?

I meant separately. It is going to the Pacific Northwest (or, that is at least what I’ve heard), and Ed Dickens has also scouted St. Louis.

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3013

p51 wrote:

That's where 4014 was going in 2020 before COVID came a'calling. I can only assume this means Portland. When 3985 came out several years ago, Albina yard was as far as the Challenger got, so I assume a run up the joint BNSF/UP line heading toward Seattle is out of the picture. I can't even imagine the crowds that'll choke I-84 on such a trip if indeed 4014 heads to Portland.

I would tend to agree that Portland would be the end of the runs. However... They did run 844 to Tacoma and then do a couple of round trips to Everett. I don't know whether BNSF would have concerns over the size of 4014 or not. The Everett trips were double headed 4-8-4's, but that's still not quite a Big Boy.

So, in theory, possible I guess. In practice, I agree, not likely. Especially since the whole idea is to promote the UP, which BNSF may not be too thrilled about LOL.

p51 · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2021 7:22 pm

Bobharbison wrote:

They did run 844 to Tacoma and then do a couple of round trips to Everett. I don't know whether BNSF would have concerns over the size of 4014 or not. The Everett trips were double headed 4-8-4's, but that's still not quite a Big Boy.

Yeah, I thought about that, Bob. I don't remember if they turned 844 and 4449 together on those trips for the returns or not and I think Ed said that wherever you can put 844, you can put 4014 as well (though it might not have been him).
That said, I know of several places I'd love to see 4014 roaring through where the traffic might not be so bad (like between Bucoda and Tenino or along old 99 toward Olympia). Heck, maybe I'll try to con my wife into getting a room at that hotel at Bridge of the Gods that overlooks the UP main as 4014 comes through. Like many of you, I just want to be able to tell someone in the future that, "Yeah, I personally saw a Big Boy under steam once..."

Ron Goldfeder · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2021 9:28 pm

Actually the lead from the UP main points directly to the track right next to #4006. That would put just a paved walkway between them. Frisco #1522 used to run from the lead to the same spot during big events when I worked there from 1995 - 2005. The other things between the gate and the point next to #4006 can be cleared out of the way.

QJdriver · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2021 10:38 pm

While it's up to the big bosses, not us peons, you can be sure that we would welcome the Big Boy to BNSF territory. I tell you what, among both present and retired BNSF employees, UP #4014 has a lot of fans !!!