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Same here. On its last tour it made a single whistle stop about three hours from me, but, unfortunately, I couldn't get out of work that day.
 
man I hope that massive engine passes through Connecticut. Few people today know what a steam locomotive really sounds like, looks like, feels like, smells like. Talk about horsepower in a time machine ... !

Union Pacific’s Big Boy to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with Historic Coast-to-Coast Tour | Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad will join the nation in celebrating 250 years of American independence and innovation this year with its first-ever coast-to-coast steam tour led by the legendary Big Boy No. 4014. The world’s largest operating steam locomotive will be joined by two commemorative...
www.up.com www.up.com

UP CEO Jim Vena. “America has never been afraid to dream about what’s possible – and neither is Union Pacific as we carry the grain that feeds families, the steel that builds cities and the household goods that stock store shelves.”
 
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Yea, a steam loco is an awesome sight. I got lucky years ago when the Bicentennial B&O train came through the area and I got to parallel it in my car for several miles. Nothing like it anymore running on regular routes, and at speed.
 
I am old enough to remember when steam locomotives operated on the Long Island Railroad.
They were an awesome sight, sound and terrific for smashing pennies.
We also loved when we pulled our imaginary whistle cord and they replied.
 
A friend of mine worked in the US, Japan and the UK. His comment was: "Americans are proud of their biotechnology, the Japanese are proud of their electronics, and the Brits are proud of their steam engines."
 
equiprx said:
I am old enough to remember when steam locomotives operated on the Long Island Railroad.
They were an awesome sight, sound and terrific for smashing pennies.
We also loved when we pulled our imaginary whistle cord and they replied.
Click to expand...

Steve - remember this whistle signal? long long short long?

Back in the '50s, my brother and I would blow small air horns when a Texas and Rio Grande (?) would pass by.
 
That's an impressive engine!We have the 611,a really cool
steam locomotive that was built here in Roanoke,and is owned
by the Virginia Museum of Transportation downtown.
 
John Turney said:
A friend of mine worked in the US, Japan and the UK. His comment was: "Americans are proud of their biotechnology, the Japanese are proud of their electronics, and the Brits are proud of their steam engines."
Click to expand...
I think the Japanese are also proud of their trains.
 
Have to increase shutter speed ...
 
The last year that I flew a firefighting contract I was based in Durango, Colorado. The Durango and Silverton narrow gauge steam trains run several times a day. It never got old watching them pass by. Not as big as a Big Boy, but still very cool.
 
DocDup1 said:
The last year that I flew a firefighting contract I was based in Durango, Colorado. The Durango and Silverton narrow gauge steam trains run several times a day. It never got old watching them pass by. Not as big as a Big Boy, but still very cool.
Click to expand...
We've taken that train a couple of times. Probably will again - it's an amazing trip, especially in the fall at peak color time.
 
This engine sat for years 50+ miles from here, in Pomona, Ca. In those days we were able to climb up into the cab, peer into it fire box, look at its pressure gauges, and really get a close look. I live about 10 miles from Cajon Pass. The Big Boy passes through here every few years on its way in and out of the Southern California area on tour. I have also seen its sister engine "The Challenger", along with several other large, restored, historical steam engines. They seem to like to show them off running on the Cajon grade. If you really want a good look, I suggest you gather at one of its planned stops. You have to see it up close and setting there hissing at you to get the full effect. ...J.D.
 
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