Bad Big Boy

Are you not worried about it making a mess of your carpets when it passes through your living room?

 

A magnificent beast she is!

 

Never get that smoke smell out of the curtains!

 

I think I have been in the cab of this machine. If it is the one I think it is, it sat on display for many years in Pomona, Ca. . Some years ago they took it away for restoration. Seeing this thing in person is an experience. It is just too big to wrap your mind around. ...J.D.

 

Old Phart Phread.
Thanks for sharing those beastie's They are cracking machines.
Regards
Joe.

 

Would like to see it run. We had a Challenger through here some years back. Fortunately, I was off work that day and got to see it go by. Maybe now that I am retired I can make a point to see BB next time it is down our way. Great excuse to get one of the bikes out and put the camera in the tank bag and go ! ...J.D.

 

Peeps aren't they just works of art. Terrific machines. We do get the odd ones here out doing a run and I do love to see them if they come to a station near me. Not as big but just as beautiful. I am not a spotter or anything just love our history.
Regards
Joe.

 

I used to get footplate rides on these - the narrow gauge railway that operates between Ravenglass and Eskdale in the Lake district. My ex FIL was the manager of the company. Added bonus was getting there on the bike, riding over the Hardknott/Wrynose pass!

 

Thanks Phred. I'll pursue that. Wanted to share one of the best train experiences ever. I got to ride the Durango & Silverton RR in 2014. Worth every penny. Day started sunny and I came home in a pouring rain in an open train car with coal dust in my hair, eyes, etc. Was great though. Here is a pic. ...J.D.

 

I have wanted to do the one at Chalma and Toltec myself. Also one near Clarkdale, Arizona on my bucket list. Trouble is my bucket is getting pretty old. I figure I am going to have to see what I can in the next year or two. ...J.D.

BTW: 3 Big Boy stops scheduled in my area.

 

I used to drive steam trains when I was a kid



My dad was involved with these guys, and spent many a Sunday running steam trains around this track in Paisley in the 70's. Went back last year and some of the old boys remembered me

My dad would sit behind me as we ran around the track, but I was allowed to run the diesels by myself. All the other kids had to pay to ride behind the trains, and I got to drive them

 

Here is 4014 "Big Boy" southbound, nearing Cajon Summit Oct. 10. Sorry for the odd angle on this shot. After driving up there and waiting two hours my shot was just about to be blocked by a train passing the other way. Standing on a wall, leaning on a sign post, I had to use a long shot before my shot was blocked. Telephoto came in handy. ...J.D.

 

Saw that problem once before with a cracking photo.... of the wrong nearside train