robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

My last(?) "Photo Essay" from Debra taking Jon on the Big Boy excursion Sunday the 13th.

Yes, the windows are dirty(filthy actually).

Debra says that everywhere vehicles could get close it looked like this all the way.
Trailer, pickup, flag poles. Do you think these people are train fans/nuts?
The low berms and flat areas were like this.
The higher ridges.
Debra says this guy up on a cliff would have been her if she wasn't on the train.
Debra, Jon and one man had the front end left side table with a space and forward looking window + side window. The Guy sitting with them was nice, moved to allow pictures, took pictures of his own and even took a couple of pictures of Jon with Jon's phone. Then this guy moved into the space between the table/seat and the forward window, didn't say anything or look at them, just moved in and then a woman joined him. Where I come from we were taught to ask, say excuse me etc. Here - Nothing.
Around the curve and up the pass just before the stop to oil things and have a photo op.
Coming into the yard at Colton. A lot of insects gave their all to make all those specks - it took a lot of guts!
This car "just happened" to be on the next track as they pulled in.

I still have videos from the videocam and Debras cell phone to go through. They cover a lot more of the ride. I have to learn video to do this, I almost never do video myself.

And I need to take all these groups of images and make one complete photo essay with narration.

Every where they could get close it looked like this.


Think this group are train fans?


The low berm along the tracks


Up on the higher ridges along the track.


Not a good shot but Debra says this guy up on a high cliff would have been her if she wasn't on the train.


Didn't even say excuse me, just got between their seats and the window.


And then another, still no excuse me.


Up and around, just before the photo op/oiling stop


Coming into Colton at the end of the ride.


This car "just happened" to be on the next track as they pulled in.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

A fabulous set and what a great experience. Appreciate your taking us along on your journey of Bigboy 4014. Mahalo for sharing.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Thanks, and you are welcome.
I didn't go, I stayed home, feed the birds, spoiled the dogs and cats, read and played on the computer.

I have ridden trains for travel back in the day, including being sent from San Francisco to St Louis by the Army in the 60s so I decided to let them have their ride and I would spend money on new photo gear or books.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thanks for the tour Jerry ... I've got to see & shoot that big machine one of these days. Thanks for sharing.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Thanks for your post and comments about the UP4014. See all four of my posts, especially the last two with better more thoughtful processing.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

As I understand it beside the 4014 there are 7 others in museums on exhibit.
https://www.facebook.com/pets.officially/videos/445482382759939/
The closest one to you is in Scranton PA. I have also seen 4006 in St Louis and I saw 4014 more than once when it was at the Los Angeles Fairplex "Rail Giants" museum. I was told that during parties they even let little kids climb inside the huge firebox which had been cleaned and pained inside.
This year's tour schedule: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm

Here is a map of UP tracks (they took over SP some years back so have their track also) maybe a future tour will make it to Chicago. A lot closer for you than most of their track. https://www.up.com/aboutup/reference/maps/system_map/index.htm

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thanks for the info Jerry ... but while I'd enjoy seeing a Bigboy up close & personal (which a museum can do nicely), I want to see that beast rumbling down the tracks!!!!! I want to enjoy the fun of the chase & capturing it (like the seemingly zillions of shooters who have been doing just that since 4014 started touring). But I am going to add these links to my growing list of info for when I get out that way. I almost headed for Chicago this last trip ... but I decided I'd be happier somewhere the crowds aren't so large. Chicago is just too big.

PS: The 1st link you sent was about cats ... not trains ... but a very funny video I might add ...

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Opps, that was for my daughter aka Kitten at University of Viginia Medical School-2nd year.
The link was to the wiki article on the Big Boys and had a list of all of them and where they are.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

It's hard to find good help!!!! ;)

I'm not a huge fan of cats, but it was a very funny video.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Well my number one assistant is a guy named Murphy.
My daughter adores cats hence one of her nick names is Kitten.
Glad you enjoyed it.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Sounds like you raised some awesome kids. You’re a lucky guy.

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Great experience

tcthome Loc: NJ

Nice set. I have been on the one in Scranton with my dad.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice series.

jerseymike

Ok to this ole Jersey boy there is a whole lot of nothing along that train ride.