Almost 600 Tons supported on 40 wheels, spread over about 130 feet of unsecured panel track, and moving...sheesh.
Note the "stringer" type timbers under those ties, otherwise the whole thing would be crushing that pavement.
Thanks, I missed that. I hadn't considered that only one tie would be supporting the entire load of two wheels, obviously stringers would be needed to spread the load....duh.
I don't know, I could only see stringers under the curved portion of panel track. I assumed it was for superelevation or just for leveling so none of the wheels would climb a joint. Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk 2
It looked to me as though the whole thing has been on a curve. They certainly have enough room, so it should not need to be a really tight radius. But the anti-derailment idea does seem very logical.
I read that during the initial move the front driver (IIRC) started to climb the rail. The move was immediately stopped and 4014 allowed to settle back a foot or so, so the rail could be greased. Apparently that fix worked OK when the move was restarted because the driver didn't try to climb the rail again.
The UP West Colton yard is west of San Bernardino and south of I-10; so the question is; will 4014 be moved through the pass via the Colton cutoff, or via the BNSF SB yard through a more populated area?
Not stringers fellas, just sheets of plywood laying under the rails to make sure the ties are fully supported.
I would guess it will be moved through the pass via the Colton cut since BNSF HATES steam on their rails.
If BNSF hates it so much then why are 3751 and 4449 always running on BNSF track. In fact 4449 has spent more time on the BNSF than she has on UP.
Trackage (usage) Rights Sirs! I was once told there was no such thing as a stupid question. Hummm? Keep in mind Union Pacific owns tracks via Cajon Pass and trackage (usage) rights over the old Santa Fe now BNSF. They can pretty much move anywhere they want with the #4014. I want to ask, did we forget that? But, I won't and be nice instead. hboy: LOL It's a good day when we see Union Pacific, taking action to move and restore a Big Boy. Uhh...errr....BNSF, doesn't hate steam. I have no idea when, where, how or why that rumor got started but they've been very open to allowing #3751 to operate on their tracks. At one time it pulled an employee special all the way to Chicago and back. The #4449 was painted black with BNSF lettering added and pulled a number of employee appreciation specials in the north west lands. Most of the time you will find Amtrak being the sponsor which allows any of the operating stoves out there... to operate over the same tracks, they do. No pressure here.
What's the "Colton cut"? If you mean the Sunset Route east to El Paso, it's a very long way to WY that way. It would be easier & shorter to send it via Cajon Pass on trackage rights to Daggett & their line to Salt Lake City then east to WY.
A UP offical at the scene states the wood was merely shimming to keep the tracks level, especially at the joints.
One of the guys in the RailGiants organization which was caring for 4014 made the comment on TO today that the engine has actually left Pomona. In it's current position on the snap track at the north end of the parking lot, it is in the city of LaVerne.
Jim, does this mean that she is off museum property, but still on panel track awaiting access permit(s) onto Metro ROW? (Forgive me, it may not be "Metro", but I forgot what the correct name is, and it may well be "Metro"...CRS nowadays!!!)
Hank, still in the Pomona Fairplex parking lot, so I guess the city boundary runs through the lot. Metrolink is the correct name. Bremner, no, the street was not crossed, just most of the parking lot.
