"Big Boy" UP 4014 at Sand Pass, Doyle, Portola

DISCLAMER There's a couple curse words in the background, including one F bomb at the beginning not by me but by nearby disgruntled foamers which is typical on these chases when their camera gear doesn't perform or they show up to thee spot late. If that offends you, please turn off the sound.
UP 4014 Big Boy caught during its trip from Winnemucca NV to Portola CA at Sand Pass July 9, 2024, a brief stop in Doyle for greasing and Rocky Pt outside of Portola. Excuse the shaky panning. It was 100 degrees out there and SUPER bright making it impossible to see my video screen, plus snapping stills at the same time. They put on a great smoke show for the pass byes.

[@Engineerrick]

The Rocky Point sequence is the winner for me. Beautiful. Unfortunately the days without background noises are gone. Drones, beeping cameras, shutter noise, and the one goof that has to talk all the time. Keep up the good work Mike.

[@markfreiberg9906]

Thanks for posting this video so quickly. WP Lives!!

[@chrisbrown1462]

I was right around the corner from you at Sand Pass. 103 degrees, 9 hour drive, little flies nipping at me. It was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

[@cindyrella24673]

Love your video!! Went and saw the Big Boy today in Portola❤🚂

[@steven.h0629]

Magnificent machine 👍😎✊

[@cjbeyer8340]

What an awesome video of the greatest steam engine ever! Thanks for sharing love the UNION PACIFIC!!!!

[@markotis5053]

Thanks!

[@ZFRANK59]

Great footage! Thx!

[@rjlatheart]

Very Nice.... Thanks for Sharing!

[@davidbross6942]

I am sorry to see the diesel loco. I thought they had made adjustments to allow them not to need the diesel.

[@longrider42]

I live in Cheyenne, and the PTC unit installed into the tender, either failed or malfunctioned. Or the Diesel really is needed to help with braking. Other then that. I wont know till it comes back to Cheyenne on July 26th, then I'll go ask em :) Frankly I wondered how long it would be, before the Diesel was put back on. So some time between July 4th, I saw the Diesel on a video with that date, and this video.

[@davidbross6942]

@@longrider42 Thanks! I look forward to learning what you find out.

[@Handle-3657]

Gonna see 4014 in roseville on the 13th!

[@user-ny2bx8ez1c]

What a sight !

[@therocinante3443]

Excellent catch! However, the sound of the diesel really kills the vibe doesn't it?

[@rsmith.182]

Great video, thanks, like the scenery contrast between the start of the video and then at Portola. You chose very good locations for your shots. Do you plan on following the 4014 on it''s journey?

[@metalmike669]

@@rsmith.182 sadly Tuesday was my only day available to see / chase it. I have another activity this week that interferes so unfortunately no☹️. Thanks for the props though!

[@cindyyeager8627]

Nicely done video

[@zonefocus22]

What are the freight cars it's hauling here? I saw it in Roseville Friday 7/12, and it only had passenger cars hooked up at that time.

[@longrider42]

For Braking. But now that the Diesel Engine is back, Dynamic Braking will be much easier.

[@stiffmeister0hYeah]

nice video. What a monster.

[@chrishylton3080]

What was the DPU for? I thought 4014 was PTC certified to travel without a diesel locomotive? Nice catches!!

[@GregoryVeizades]

Range extension and Dynamic braking. Over the long hauls they will sometimes put the diesel in notch 1 or 2 just to lower oil burn rate in the big boy. Then on the long downhill grades, dynamic braking to save wear in the really expensive custom brake shoes in the loco.

[@CaptSteveCPA]

Going to see Big Boy tomorrow in Oroville. 🚂 ❤

[@metalmike669]

I’m sure they had it in case of an emergency if the steamer broke down. The dynamics were in full effect at rocky pt you can hear…..

[@dickdaley9059]

@@GregoryVeizadesFuel and water replenishment is not available trackside like during the steam era. Big Boy is a hungry customer and will devour both in a relatively short pull. The diesel is a necessary companion to help conserve resources until the consist reaches abundant supply locations along the route.

[@longrider42]

Or the PTC that was installed into a place in the Tender failed. Computer components really don't like being vibrated and shook, or it got to hot. I will find out when it returns to Cheyenne on the 26th, since I live here.

[@jpaulkepler4638]

PTC is installed on 4014, yet the diesel is still there. Inquiring minds need input..

[@davidgray3821]

The diesel is there for dynamic braking and range extension.

[@Brother_D_therail]

​@@davidgray3821that's right ✅

[@jpaulkepler4638]

@@davidgray3821 . That makes sense. PTC in the 4014 cab eliminates crew in the diesel monitoring the PTC screen?

[@longrider42]

@@jpaulkepler4638 The PTC is actually mounted in a spot on the Tender, Left side if facing forward. lower left corner. So not sure where the screen is. Or maybe there was a failure or malfunction.

[@jpaulkepler4638]

Drone shot at Williams loop.

[@DanielWalker-h7q]

Must be a weak train has a dpu helping it

[@longrider42]

No, its too big for its own good. The Diesel is there to help with Dynamic Braking, and maybe the PTC that was installed back in May, has failed or malfunctioned.