Big Boy

[wildbears]

Will Union Pacific’s legendary “Big Boy” steam locomotive stop near you during its upcoming tours across much of the U.S.?

One of the world’s largest trains will pass through a number of states this summer and fall, making stops along the way to allow viewers an up-close look at the massive, 1.1-million-pound engine.

https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-new...in-tour-route/

[Lee]

We'll probably go see it.
2019 me and a friend followed it from Dennison to Boone Iowa. It made several stops so we could get a good look.





Two weeks later when it headed back west I went to Ogden to watch it pass through.
I parked too close. I thought it would be on the other track with concrete ties because it's so heavy.

[wildbears]

Great pics Lee! THanks.

[955i]

I saw it two years ago in Pryor, Oklahoma. Followed it along teh tracks for 4-5 miles. I love these things. What machines!

Of all things, UP's lawyers must have brass ones because every Memorial Day weekend, UP opens to the public it's Cheyenne shops and roundhouse. You can climb all over the things they have in there, including some other smaller, but still big, steam locomotives.

[wildbears]

And feel the earth shaking beneath your feet.....

[955i]

Lee, just standing up near it when it's NOT moving is impressive. It feels like it is alive as it's making up steam. Then when it starts rolling forward you see the rails and ties respond to the weight and power.

[Susan]

Closest we've seen this is on YouTube. We would love to see it in person. Love the sound of that train horn!

[Lee]

I have a friend who has a Garden Gauge train setup. Yesterday he took us to visit 5 back yards in the Des Moines area to see some nice setups.
It's a expensive hobby. He said the replicas of a modern diesel locomotive cost around $1,000 each.






The little trees and shrubs are real

[955i]

Yeah? $1,000.00? BUT so TOTALLY worth it if you have the dough. I'd rather have that train than a swimming pool.

[Lee]

One guy had 4 diesel engines and a couple steam engines.

[Lee]

It must take a long time to build everything.

[wildbears]

And it's like tattoos. You're never really finish until you run out of space.

[wildbears]

Just read that a "Puffer Belly" is a steam engine.

As in "See the little puffer bellies, all in a row".

[wildbears]

Down By The Station: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDYNpvHV3Bs

[wildbears]

This is the Four Preps version of "Down By The Station". It will take you back to your high school days.