Union Pacific's famed Big Boy No. 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, will return to the rails this summer with a scenic tour across mountain ranges and high desert vistas in four western states: Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California.
The link shows the times of arrival and departure at each stop.
They should be pretty much on time unless they have a mechanical issue.
On it's break in run it did jump the tracks in Rawlins , Wy and was late for the rest of the days stops.
Smaller towns usually let you get closer to it, we could walk right up beside it at smaller crossings.
Here's a pretty cool video of it's trip from Limon to Denver in '19.
I would think the diesel engine is probably for a mechanical issue with the steam engine. If the steam engine breaks down they can get it off the main line.
I was thinking diesel engine just for electricity generation. I imagine model trains require electrics for trackers and whatnot. But I could be completely wrong.
I would think the diesel engine is probably for a mechanical issue with the steam engine. If the steam engine breaks down they can get it off the main line.
This part of it. Here's a pretty good explanation :
The diesel isn’t there to help the steam locomotive, but it’s there as a precaution mainly. Part of its purpose is to help in the case of a mechanical issue with the steam engine (a broken down steam engine on a mainline is a bad deal for both safety and business). In some cases (especially with large consists behind the 844) it’s been known to help with initial acceleration. It’s also used in circumstances for dynamic braking (putting a load on the locomotive when there aren’t many cars). It is also used to generate air pressure. The passenger consists have generator cars, so it’s not for electrical power purposes.
TLDR: ‘Helper’ is probably a somewhat inaccurate term. Think of it as a ‘support engine’
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