And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
A long time ago I heard a steam whistle early one Saturday morning coming from the south, and immediately knew what it was. Leapt out of bed, threw on clothes, and got in my truck - a local highway parallels the tracks north of town, and by the time I reached it, sure enough there was a line of traffic like this one, and a '40's era locomotive and Pullman cars headed for Dallas. What a sight, what a sound.
Years ago a retired Santa Fe engineer told me he was at the throttle of one of these monsters pulling several cars of troops to the West Coast at the beginning of WWII. He blasted thru Oro Grande, New Mexico at the speed of one mile in 35 seconds. 103 mph. He told me the type of engine, based on wheel config. but I don't remember.
This Union Pacific's prized possession, the 4014 Big Boy. he is a 4-8-8-4 configuration, the largest steam locomotives ever built. 25 were built. First delivered in 1941. He was in apark in California when it was decided to restore it in a many year effort. He runs all over the country now, a giant PR piece for Union Pacific railroad
where is there enough straight track to run a big boy in 1960s. When they moved the static Big Boy from the Dallas fair grounds to Frisco Texas a few back finding track to hold the load was a process. But beautiful to see.
A marvel of engineering.
ReplyDeleteImpressive!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what they're burning. It's not putting out the usual cloud of smoke.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. It's not putting out anything. No smoke, no steam, no water leaks. I wonder if it is being pushed.
DeleteA long time ago I heard a steam whistle early one Saturday morning coming from the south, and immediately knew what it was. Leapt out of bed, threw on clothes, and got in my truck - a local highway parallels the tracks north of town, and by the time I reached it, sure enough there was a line of traffic like this one, and a '40's era locomotive and Pullman cars headed for Dallas. What a sight, what a sound.
ReplyDeleteThe flag on top makes me wonder.
ReplyDeleteYears ago a retired Santa Fe engineer told me he was at the throttle of one of these monsters pulling several cars of troops to the West Coast at the beginning of WWII. He blasted thru Oro Grande, New Mexico at the speed of one mile in 35 seconds. 103 mph. He told me the type of engine, based on wheel config. but I don't remember.
ReplyDeleteFrom the always reliable Wikipedia
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Fe_3751
https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/4014/index.htm
ReplyDeleteThis Union Pacific's prized possession, the 4014 Big Boy. he is a 4-8-8-4 configuration, the largest steam locomotives ever built. 25 were built. First delivered in 1941. He was in apark in California when it was decided to restore it in a many year effort. He runs all over the country now, a giant PR piece for Union Pacific railroad
My Dad had a chevy just like that....elliptical steering wheel and all.....
ReplyDeletewhere is there enough straight track to run a big boy in 1960s. When they moved the static Big Boy from the Dallas fair grounds to Frisco Texas a few back finding track to hold the load was a process. But beautiful to see.
ReplyDelete