New TV show?

[rdamurphy]

Has anyone heard of a new TV show that will be about restoration of historical railroad equipment? Wouldn't that be great? I've read some rumours, but no specifics, anybody heard anything substantial?

Apparently, their first project will be to restore a GG-1 for a museum in Miami...

There's one now that centers on restoring old military equipment, like cutting two M-4 Shermans in half and welding them back together to make a one big good one.

Robert

[captain82]

What channel, Is it Direct TV or cable?

[ED_4]

What I'd like to see them try to restore into operational status is one of the legendary Big Boy steam locomotives. Though, I highly doubt that will ever happen.

Here's a page I saw on Steamlocomotive.com's pages regarding just about that on one of the GG1s being put on restoration on TV. Here's (http://www.steamlocomotive.com/GG1/) the page on that one. Although there doesn't seem to be any specifics as to what show. Maybe if you contact the person on the link they provided they can tell you. It's PRR 4917/Amtrak 4934 that is the one you should check.

[rdamurphy]

There was talk of restoring a Big Boy, but that's all it was. The UP had one stored in working condition for a long time, but it had two strikes against it: It ran on coal (UP has stated they will never use a coal fired locomotive in it's steam program) and Big Boy's can't be converted to burn oil, and it's too big to run anywhere besides it's original "stomping grounds" so has limited ability to be used as the other locomotives are. Ditto on the 9000 series locomotive they have stored.

Too bad, it would be quite a sight! After having seen the E-9 (E-38-2's!) in operation, I'd love to see an A-B-B-A set of F's restored, though! It's also kind of cool to watch the GP-30's (GP39-2) running around Denver. Cool looking locomotives. Great Western in Loveland, CO used to have an SD-9 (they have three, one that runs, two that supply parts) running around, but it was on it's last legs and quickly running out of spares. Last time I saw it, it was in the Shop with a rod hanging out the side of a cylinder.

Now, if someone would restore an SD-45! Those things just screamed POWER!

Robert

[SD50]

Now, if someone would restore an SD-45! Those things just screamed POWER!

Robert


Wouldn't that be great! I sure hope they do. And I hope someone thinks to preserve today's big locomotives as well.

[cp5513]

Now, if someone would restore an SD-45! Those things just screamed POWER!

...ah the sound of crankshaft pieces hitting the inside of the hood :D
Just having some fun with the '4-cylinders too far' SD45, I totally agree one of these brutes needs to be saved in working condition. All 20 cylinders worth! At least they had one last big fling on the WC.

[ge44tonner]

I think that GN #400, carrying a "Hustle Muscle" logo, is preserved in operating condition at the Lake Superior Museum of Transport in Duluth. There are at least three other museums that have SD45's in their collections, although I'm not sure how many are kept in operable condition. (EL #3607 at St. Louis, N&W #1776 in Virginia, and SP #7476 in Utah). There are several other 20-cylinder locomotives preserved, including a SD45-2 (SP#6819) at Sacramento and six FP45's.

As for the possibility of running a Big Boy on oil fuel, back in the 1950's the UP did in fact convert at least one (#4005?). I understand that they used the same burner assembly as was used in the Challenger series, and was a bit undersized for the larger Big Boy. There were plans to convert another Big Boy, using two burners, but were never carried through. I speculate that the reason that the UP never seriously considered restoring a big Boy is because it is so large that it would be difficult to operate. Clearances between tracks on curves would have to be widened, it would be difficult to turn on existing Wyes or turntables, it exceeds weight limits on many existing bridges, and could be very damaging to rails and track structure.
Dan

[GG12332]

rdamurphy
Senior Member

..."and it's too big to run anywhere besides it's original "stomping grounds" so has limited ability to be used as the other locomotives are."

I thought that was why they had articulated bodies! To allow for that.

[SD50]

Well, yes and no. The articulated design does allow it to travel through curves better than, for example, the 4-12-2's, but there are still issues with clearances and weight limitations.

In their actual career, the Big Boys generally operated between Cheyenne, WY, and Ogden, UT, and would also make runs into Colorado. They would have been able to go all the way to L.A. except for a handful of bridge clearances.

It's also true that they were built in Schenechtady, NY, and were moved over the NYC to UP territory. And of course, survivors are in such places as Scranton and Green Bay.

But running one on excursions would be problematic, especially for lack of a way to turn them around, and clearances.

[ge44tonner]

I speculate that both the Big Boys and Challengers were moved only with extreme caution while off the UP. I recall an incident several years ago, when Challenger 3785 was being operated over the Clinchfield. While meeting another train on a curve, the front corner of the boiler swung wide enough to strike the side of a hopper car and ripped the running boards off the locomotive. I also recall that the Big Boys were moved "off the UP" only with all fuel and water drained to minimize the weight.

There was a proposal about ten years ago to restore the Big Boy at "Age of Steam" museum at Dallas for a movie. I recall the project was abandoned both because it would be expensive and because none of the Class I railroads would agree to accept the engine for movement.
Dan