Then on the other hand,maybe not. Some valid points in this letter. Dave
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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.
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