Golden spike 150 celebration news

[Jbub]

Looks like they changed Golden spike historical site to a historical park,  whatever that means.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=46512103&nid=968

Also Union Pacific announced the beginning of this year's steam schedule. This includes both the Big Boy and FEF.

https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm

It looks like they will double head out of Ogden back to Cheyenne.

[Jbub]

I guess there has been a change to the steam excursion schedule for the golden spike celebration. 844 is no longer coming out this weekend but will be double heading with 4014 on May 4th.
Here's the email excerpt that was forwarded to me from a friend.

"Final touches on its paint job are being applied and the last necessary tests are being conducted.

To ensure the Big Boy is ready for its big debut, No. 844's whistle-stop tour that was scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday, April 27-28, has been cancelled. Instead, No. 844 will double-head with No. 4014 from Cheyenne to Ogden on May 4 after the 9:30 a.m. MT christening ceremony.

This new schedule will give the UP Steam Team more time to complete final preparations for No. 4014.

[learmoia]

I haven't seen any reports of test running other than a fire in a firebox and some smoke out of the stack....... I wonder if 'technically' 844 will be pulling 4014 to the ceremony.... 

~Ian

[Jbub]

I haven't seen any reports of test running other than a fire in a firebox and some smoke out of the stack....... I wonder if 'technically' 844 will be pulling 4014 to the ceremony.... 

~Ian

They confirmed yesterday that 4014 will be leading the train. My guess is if they have problems we won't know about it unless it's visible.

[Trainmaster247]

They confirmed yesterday that 4014 will be leading the train. My guess is if they have problems we won't know about it unless it's visible.

yep it's up and going now too

from what I've read later today we'll probably see some more videos of it being tested on the mainline

[sundowner]

It looks like all 3 of the Alcos are going to be there in some form, you have a complete 844, the engine of 4014 and the tender of 3985.

[C855B]

Should finally see coverage from national press. This article popped-up on Associated Press about an hour ago:

  https://apnews.com/99f123f5fb9342b5a6602b544f6871b0

There have been a several articles from local newspapers on the route, including an advisory from the Wyoming state patrol in the Cheyenne paper. Interestingly, no press releases from UP so far, at least not posted on up.com.

[Jbub]

The official numbers are in. Seems the 30k people was a bit high for the promontory summit reenactment as they are now saying there were 20k people there. There were people from countries other than those listed in the that I personally spoke to. All in all it was cool to see the excitement around the 150 anniversary and return of the big boy.

Golden Spike weekend drew in 38K; exceeded expectations, event officials say
https://www.ksl.com/article/46556746/golden-spike-weekend-drew-in-38k-exceeded-expectations-event-officials-say