Rocky Pix ha aggiunto una foto al pool:
The Greeley stop was for lubricating the zercs on the running gear. It’s obvious why everyone ques up for the arrival of UP #844 but not so obvious why anyone wants to stand next to the monumental heat generator on an exceedingly hot day. The size of the third largest Union Pacific is seen in this and even at that, it is pretty montrous with no one as tall as the 80 inch drivers. Every time these drivers roll once, they roll 21 feet. Here we are, rail fans all. There is a buzz around this place. Actually, #844 was recently shopped and is entirely resplendent although a cooler day would be far better. I am considering a space in the shade. <
Sheesh, you wouldn’t think this was only Union Pacific’s third largest of their preserved steam locomotives. You’ll get the concept of adoration when you compare the size of mere people to the size of the oil-fired steam locomotive. I’m not sure of the progress on refitting the "Big Boy." The Big Boy stood at 1.135 million pounds with a load of coal and water… yet the weight on each driver was less than this engine. Many rate the size of the Union Pacific Big Boy as second to the Great Northern’s "Yellowstone" articulated Mallet style locomotive. Both were freight locomotives and hauled massive drags. #844 was designed to haul passenger trains at fairly high speeds. I’ve seen it running at nearly 100. Sister engines have exceeded 120 mile an hour.
All three of the big engines burn oil and that tells a lot about the future of long UP coal drags that are disappearing even now. Even the UP can no longer support operating coal-fired engines for their steam excursions. After all, the largest coal providers, Peabody, have declared bankruptcy. None of this bodes well for the Koch Bros. and all their money that buys politicians, as if this place were even close to a democracy. I know, I know, renewable energy can’t compete though Germany produced a couple days this year of 100% renewable and California boosted solar renewable 5% last year. Say what? No, we have to maintain subsidy price supports for the Koch Bros. so they can pocket our congressmen and senators.