UP train pulled by Big Boy locomotive came through here today

That is one huge piece of machinery!  Serious goosebumps watching it, and hearing all of the sounds.  The (horn? whistle?  a totally unique "whoooooooooooooo" sound that rattles the landscape) scared some of the small kids watching <g>.  The bell on the front was pretty loud/distinctive as well.

Lots of locals were there.....guessing 1000 folks.  I'm in touch with some friends to collect their videos.  All I can add at this moment are a few local news links, one local youtuber and a link to my snapshots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxyaGlUxVTQ

https://salinapost.com/posts/5dd5bf1c897d147ad4bb1296

https://www.ksal.com/video-big-boy-locomotive-chugs-into-salina/

My random snapshots:

http://brianroth.com/bigboy/

Just found this:

Drone footage from yesterday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmm8bXKZfE4

Bri

  8)

Some friends saw it near Minneapolis in July. I live too far east to see it in person.

My kids and dad went to see it when it came through two weeks ago. That thing is huge!!

Last year the Southern 765 came steaming past my house.  What an amazing machine !!
And us old timers think an Ampex MM1000-16 or a Scully 12 track is a great sight  . 

If you have never seen a working steam engine you are missing quite a sight as there are not many left. 
If you ever get a chance to ride behind one take it as it's quite the thrill.  Highly recommended.
Brian... you are so very lucky !!

GARY

I'm guessing I was age 6 (1960) when I saw a steam loco....and I was VERY impressed as I vaguely remember.  Soon after I had Lionel model trains to play with after Christmas.  lol

This was indeed a once in a lifetime.....

Bri

A friend gave a bunch of videos and I found a very cool one from one side of the tracks.  Trimmed it down for length and you can BARELY imagine how loud that machine was.

http://brianroth.com/bigboy/Big%20Boy%20Salina%20Nov%202019.mp4

Bri

found this video tonight. While it is not big boy, it does give insight on how they get those started  in the morning and such.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx9Q8PphAVo

little OT but...
I was talking with my Dad over Christmas about his Navy experience and he told me the aircraft  carrier Independence he was on was steam powered..

I found this
https://www.navyhistory.org/2016/08/independence-class-carrier-power-plant/

Interesting. Would've never thought....

> the aircraft  carrier Independence he was on was steam powered..

Until recently, ALL big ships worked on steam. From Titanic to the nuclear carrier. All that changed in this class is a transition from coal to oil (to atoms). And from pistons to turbines (Titanic had both).

Smaller vessels, "MV", Motor Vessel, were Diesel. These keep getting bigger. The cargo container ships are now generally 100,000 horsepower Diesel, so as big as some warships. There are also now huge gas turbines. Steam may finally be dying.