Big Boy Locomotive

[zaina]

Trains aren't my thing but my 18 month old boy loves them so I decides to build this for him. Got half the track painted so far.

[Ira]

Great Project!

[High octane]

I've done trains three times in my life and now with a new grandson I purchased a Lionel train set to go around the Christmas tree. Of course I had to try it out when I bought it and I can't wait to set it up again. I've also bought more track for it and a tunnel too. As well as building model cars I'm working on an airplane kit which is something I haven't done since the 50's. So far I'm enjoyin' the trains and planes along with the cars.

[Dave Van]

That's a great kit. I built two of them for static display on my model rail layout.....before I switched to O scale (1/48)

Maybe I can dig them out and photo them.

[Pete J.]

I don't know if you are aware of this or not but I thought I would add it to the discussion. Big Boy 4014 has been moved from the Pomona fairgrounds in LA to Cheyenne for a complete restoration. You will once again get a chance to see this beast in it's full glory running the rails of America. I remember it well. My uncle was a yard master in Cheyenne for many years when these ran over Sherman hill and I remember seeing them head out of town or coming into town. Here is a link to the restoration web site. http://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/steam/photos_videos/bigboy/2014_may.shtml Until you see people standing next to the behemoth you really have no concept of how huge this thing really is! It will be a fitting companion to the Challenger that the UP takes on tour from time to time. A real part of American history!

[Biggie]

I built two of them for static display on my model rail layout.....

Me too ! Really a great kit... also love the european series. Good luck with the project.

[Dave Van]

I don't know if you are aware of this or not but I thought I would add it to the discussion. Big Boy 4014 has been moved from the Pomona fairgrounds in LA to Cheyenne for a complete restoration. You will once again get a chance to see this beast in it's full glory running the rails of America. I remember it well. My uncle was a yard master in Cheyenne for many years when these ran over Sherman hill and I remember seeing them head out of town or coming into town. Here is a link to the restoration web site. http://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/steam/photos_videos/bigboy/2014_may.shtml Until you see people standing next to the behemoth you really have no concept of how huge this thing really is! It will be a fitting companion to the Challenger that the UP takes on tour from time to time. A real part of American history!

Saw her in Pamona during my 2011 visit to So Cal.......I want to see her and 611 J both run someday. I have ridden behind 611 and been in her cab......seeing Big Boy would be great!

[Old Nasty]

I live near the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin & they have Big Boy #4017 on display in it's own special building. It's an awsome piece of machinery up close. They have quite a collection including Eisenhower's war train that he used in Europe. We do have other things to see & do besides the Packers.

[zaina]

I don't know if you are aware of this or not but I thought I would add it to the discussion. Big Boy 4014 has been moved from the Pomona fairgrounds in LA to Cheyenne for a complete restoration. You will once again get a chance to see this beast in it's full glory running the rails of America. I remember it well. My uncle was a yard master in Cheyenne for many years when these ran over Sherman hill and I remember seeing them head out of town or coming into town. Here is a link to the restoration web site. http://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/steam/photos_videos/bigboy/2014_may.shtml Until you see people standing next to the behemoth you really have no concept of how huge this thing really is! It will be a fitting companion to the Challenger that the UP takes on tour from time to time. A real part of American history!

I live in central Nebraska right on the UP line and see the challenger quite often. There is also a big boy on display in Omaha right on the Iowa border.

[The70judgeman]

@Steve- The firebox bricks were taken out of that Big Boy and were reused in the Milwaukee Road 261 when it was first restored...which is recently back on the rails after a couple of years off for a boiler rebuild and other mandatory work. Just a bit of useless trivia on the fire bricks. But anyway, I guess the big question is...is Big Boy 4014 going to be restored as a coal burner, or converted to oil burning? UP tried the oil burning conversion on 1 or 2 Big Boy's way back when, but it was too inefficient and converted it/them back to coal. I know UP Challenger 3985 is oil burning and it works, so maybe with the same newer technology they'll do the same on the Big Boy.

[Dave Van]

Dug mine out....a bit beat up and dusty. This is the DM&I version of the kit....issued only once. Different boiler front etc. Wish I had a mint kit now.

[Old Nasty]

@Steve- The firebox bricks were taken out of that Big Boy and were reused in the Milwaukee Road 261 when it was first restored...which is recently back on the rails after a couple of years off for a boiler rebuild and other mandatory work. Just a bit of useless trivia on the fire bricks.

Thanx for the tidbit. I knew it wasn't operational.

[Pete J.]

I live in central Nebraska right on the UP line and see the challenger quite often. There is also a big boy on display in Omaha right on the Iowa border.

Andy, I grew up in Sidney and am old enough to remember when the Challengers were still the main engines for the UP. My Mother was from Vermont and I remember traveling on the train to go visit her parents. Nothing like the old passenger service. I can still remember the smell of the trains from the steam engines. Very unique and not at all unpleasant.

Edited June 29, 2014 by Pete J.

[Harry P.]

Dug mine out....a bit beat up and dusty...

You mean "weathered!"

Very nicely done model, it looks real.

[Cato]

Dug mine out....a bit beat up and dusty. This is the DM&I version of the kit....issued only once. Different boiler front etc. Wish I had a mint kit now.

What scale is that Dave? Beautiful build and weathering.

I have the HO Rivarossi in mint condition but would like a larger scale.

I love these monsters-the GG-1 also a fave.

Edit: pardon my ignorance but who was DM&I?

Edited June 29, 2014 by Cato

[Dave Van]

Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range

the model is HO scale Monogram kit

Thanks

[Cato]

Thanks Dave.

[Belugawrx]

Love the 1:87th scale cobwebs

So Andy

hows it coming along??

[zaina]

Love the 1:87th scale cobwebs

So Andy

hows it coming along??

No progress. Busy weekend doing home projects.

[Dave Van]

Love the 1:87th scale cobwebs

So Andy

hows it coming along??

Like I said....just pulled it from the garage and photoed!!! And with it broken up some wish I could find another DM&I verson.

[michael1969]

The loco in Omaha, Ne can be seen on I-80 westbound from Iowa. It is displayed in the botanical gardens there. One should look for the coverage of when they moved it from the museum on 10th st over to I-80. It was big news back then. Sorry about the history lesson, Omaha native here.