1 reply to this topic

[Dave Crevie]

Just looked in to see if the Big Boy had made it to Philly yet. It's a bit toasty up there right now. Here's the weather report.

 

 

 

Here's some news coverage from the Pottstown area. Same temps there. But look at the crowds. I guess there is no shortage of people willing to stand out in this heat to see a big old train.

 

https://youtu.be/Zu0PB4N7hU4?si=2s9wpERLmxpGUhjm 

 

By the way. At the National Railroad Museum, I always got picked to fire the steam engine of the day. And that would usually be the biggest one. The Lake Superior and Ishpeming #24 was a 170 ton 2-8-0. No stoker, totally hand fired. 20 -25 tons of coal for a typical 12 hour day. 130 degrees up in the cab on a 90 degree day. But I was the only one fit enough to do it. Most of the rest of the guys were old railroaders.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bill Seitz]

The Big Boy attracts large crowds wherever it goes. I'd intended to go see it when it was here in Tucson on the first year of excursions after the restoration. The mile line of cars just to get in the UP Tucson yard was enough to change that plan. I've seen a couple of the Big Boys on static display, as well as plenty of video and photos, and that suffices for now.