Big Boy Trainlopnik (awkward selfie alert)

"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo) 05/12/2019 at 11:47 • Filed to: Big Boy 4014, trainlopnik, rollingcoal, oil burner

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Went to see UP 4014 and UP 844 depart for the return trip to Wyoming. I am very glad I decided on going this route rather than seeing it Saturday. MUCH smaller crowd and I got to see it actually move.

Rolling coal

For something like 3k, you could be in one of those cars, and ride a bus back. That’s an expensive trip to Cheyenne , Wyoming.

Doesn't actually run on coal anymore, it's been converted to burn oil. So it's just like any other bro diesel ¯\_()_/¯

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Alfalfa 05/12/2019 at 12:17

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This would have been me ha d I been there :

3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata > Alfalfa 05/12/2019 at 12:31

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It runs on a mix of used engine oil, transmission oil, and brake fluid. 

Alfalfa > 3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata 05/12/2019 at 12:56

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So... It's even more like an old shitty diesel truck?

NKato > 3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata 05/12/2019 at 21:35

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#5 Oil is the official designation.

3 Jeeps and a Mazda wants a Fiata > Alfalfa 05/13/2019 at 00:48

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Pretty much. Hooking up the whistle nearly killed me due to the fumes. 

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Alfalfa 06/12/2019 at 12:08

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It’s not surprising they convert 4014 to an oil burner. 3985 was originally a coal burner, but they later converted it to oil after burning down a bunch of dry fields with coal embers.

I’m assuming UP didn’t want to take the same risk (and added expense) with 4014 this time around.

Alfalfa > Where have all the lightweights gone? 06/12/2019 at 12:17

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Oof. Yeah that sounds like mess. I figured one of the key advantages was being able to pump oil in rather than shovel coal.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Alfalfa 06/12/2019 at 12:55

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Modern steam locomotives have stokers that do the majority of the grunt work, with the fireman having to even out the fire with the occasional shovel.

Firemen on oil burners still have to shovel sand into the firebox. Oil gums up the flues, and sand prevents that from happening.