You may like this about the UP Big Boy Steam Locomotive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8f9V...eature=related

 

Actually saw one afew yrs ago in Minn or Wisc while on vacation on display. Done many scenic train rides. Cass WVA is one good one.

 

Came thru my town and stopped over for the night at the old Rock Island Depot.

 

You saw a Big Boy??? There aren't any running. It's cousin, the Challenger still makes excursion trips. Did you see the Challenger? It looks like a Big Boy but not as many drive wheels. Here is a video of the Challenger Engine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8BXi...eature=related

 

Now that is a sweet sound

 

Sorry to correct you but that engine is 844 not 3985. the 844 is a Northern type engine a so called 4-8-4 wheel arrangement. The Challenger is a 4-6-6-4 wheel arrangement. Yes they do have a sweet sound to them.
Look at the Black Arrow in my sig and you will see yet another wheel arrangement a 4-8-2 Mountain type locomotive. To me a real beauty.


Alan

 

You are abloslutely correct! I didn't take a good look at the engine, the Challenger truly is a 4-6-6-4. I stand corrected. (See picture below.)

There is a sweet Mountain up at the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum in East Strasburg, PA. Unfortunately, it is rotting outside. They have yet to move it into the "new" building. About 15 years ago, they said they couldn't move it because when they tried to, the weight of the engine starting moving the curved rail off the ties. My father told them to fire up the engine, put about 100 pounds of pressure on the wheels and that should do the trick. He even offered to pay for the move! They didn't take him up on his offer.

Below the picture of the engine is a picture of my father's private rail road car, CAR ELEVEN. The picture was taken June, 1964 in San Diego. My HHR is named after his Private Railroad Car.

 

The train I really love is the sort of Stainless Steel looking one, that went from Chicago to California --and it's kind of Art Deco looking. Not steam, of course, but does anyone know what that one was called? It may have started in grand Central station and gone to Chicago? I'd love some websites if you know any.

We have a little offshoot rail in Anaheim - that is sooo cool, if you like railroads. It's only 4 blocks from my house, and we walked the grandkids over to look at it. The train actually goes down the street, very slowly, and then turns off and goes off toward the Honda Center and Disneyland. You can be driving side by side with it - and it's a little unnerving.

Here's a link to it. http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/...ad.php?t=12704

 

Your right, it may have been the Challenger. I am not much into trains, my son is. I did take some pics when it came thru, have to dig them up and see just what it was. All I know is, It had BIG WHEELS, steam coming out of it, and a loud whistle. It was also owned by the Union Pacific.

 

You might be thinking of the Zephyr
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Zephyr