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Sam Reeves wrote: > > > I doubt very much if 4018 will leave Texas. Number one, 4-8-8-4's haven't > operated in about 50 years. The track is a lot sharper, bridges are lighter > than they used to be, and clearances will be a big problem. I doubt if UP is > willing to pay for all of these improvements just to send a Big Boy to > Sacramento. (The heaviest engines that operated on the Sunset Route were > 2-10-2's. And the few Cab Forwards that operated on the western part of the > Sunset Route were much lighter than the UP 4000 class.) The UP's own program > of steam is in jeopardy as the operating department tries to makes some sense > out of the mess in Texas and other parts of the former SP system. > What is even more surprising is that this movie producer is willing > to spend > $2 million to restore a 4-8-8-4 to full mechanical operation. You ain't gonna > do it with $2 million. More like $10 million to $20 million to put a 4-8-8-4 > back in service. Then comes the cost of keeping one hot and fired all day. A > big reason why UP put the 4-8-8-4's into retirement. Much of the western > parts of the UP system are no longer friendly to coal fired engines, since > cinders will ultimately cause trackside brush fires, and upset the Department > of Interior. So can a 4000 be converted to oil fire? I think I read > somewhere one 4000 class was tried on oil, but couldn't be kept hot and was > converted back to coal. > Finally I ask this question. Why not contact the Union Pacific and > make an > agreement to use UP 3985 for this movie? The 3985 would be a lot less hard on > the track, is in a stage of overhaul, but can be brought up to operation soon > for the filming of this movie if the producers are willing to spend the money > for the overtime the people at Cheyenne shop would incur. I'll bet the > producers will be closer to their budget if they would use 3985 instead of > 4018. > Or is it all April Fool's 19 days late?? > All good points, Sam. Steve Lee once told me that they barely have enough places on the railroad to turn 3985 (wyes and turntables) and that only a fraction of these facilities would turn a Big Boy. Grand Canyon spent $1.5 million on 4960's overhaul. I can't believe a plinthed Big Boy could be made to run again for $2 million. Finally, keep in mind that Hollywood in genmeral and the movie industry in particular is full of more flakes and big talkers than any other industry. --David R. Busse Diamond Bar, Calif. ======================================================= -> SPORRS: 'Serious Photographers Of Railroad Related Subjects' -> Web Site: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs/ -> Message © 1998 SPORRS® - All Rights Reserved =======================================================
