I was lucky enough to catch Big Boy going through Hempstead, Texas on Friday, October 7, 2024. Note that for this excursion, it was Big Boy alone, no diesel units in the consist.
Wow! I don't know how old any of the Union Pacific cars behind Big Boy are, but they sure are shinier and cleaner than almost all Amtrak passenger cars. Those silver wheel trucks (or whatever they are called) were shiny and spotless! Finally, I was wondering why you were on the side of the tracks you were on, with so many people on the other side of the tracks, until I saw that the engineers were hanging out the window on your side. Definitely the better side from which to video. How did you know the exact time the train would arrive where you were waiting?
Hi, Ed. Most of those cars are from the World War II era I think, but they are restored and kept freshened for these excursions. They sure do look nice though. I actually chose the side of the tracks I was on more for the ground there than the side of the train. But you are right that I should have considered it and chosen the right side of the train for the engineers. Without thinking about that, I got lucky both with the Big Boy and the Empress last may on that. I did not know exactly when the train would pass by and, as usual with many train schedules, it was late. UP published a very good schedule for where the train would be on display, which happened to include Hempstead for a 30 minute display beginning at 12:15. I wanted to catch it in motion so I backed up the track about a mile, figuring it would be going slow enough by then to get a good video of it. It got delayed enroute to us twice, with the second one being at the crossing just up the road. That is why there is so much dead time at the beginning, with just the smoke being visible or stepping over towards the track to see the headlight of the stopped train. My position was taken as behind the crossing arm when it dropped, so i knew I would be a safe distance from the tracks. Part of the delay above us was too many people standing too close to the tracks for the comfort of the engineers and crew. In the notices for the train coming, UP says to stay at least 25 feet from the track, which is the limit of their right of way ownership, pointing out that closer is legally trespassing. I was more concerned (and I think UP was too) with safety than the law, but it is something to remember when you get near the tracks.
Great catch!!
Thanks. It is a very impressive piece of machinery.
I had wanted to go but work got in the way today. 😔
I know that feeling. I had to burn a vacation day.
Wow! I don't know how old any of the Union Pacific cars behind Big Boy are, but they sure are shinier and cleaner than almost all Amtrak passenger cars. Those silver wheel trucks (or whatever they are called) were shiny and spotless! Finally, I was wondering why you were on the side of the tracks you were on, with so many people on the other side of the tracks, until I saw that the engineers were hanging out the window on your side. Definitely the better side from which to video. How did you know the exact time the train would arrive where you were waiting?
Hi, Ed. Most of those cars are from the World War II era I think, but they are restored and kept freshened for these excursions. They sure do look nice though.
I actually chose the side of the tracks I was on more for the ground there than the side of the train. But you are right that I should have considered it and chosen the right side of the train for the engineers. Without thinking about that, I got lucky both with the Big Boy and the Empress last may on that.
I did not know exactly when the train would pass by and, as usual with many train schedules, it was late. UP published a very good schedule for where the train would be on display, which happened to include Hempstead for a 30 minute display beginning at 12:15. I wanted to catch it in motion so I backed up the track about a mile, figuring it would be going slow enough by then to get a good video of it. It got delayed enroute to us twice, with the second one being at the crossing just up the road. That is why there is so much dead time at the beginning, with just the smoke being visible or stepping over towards the track to see the headlight of the stopped train. My position was taken as behind the crossing arm when it dropped, so i knew I would be a safe distance from the tracks. Part of the delay above us was too many people standing too close to the tracks for the comfort of the engineers and crew. In the notices for the train coming, UP says to stay at least 25 feet from the track, which is the limit of their right of way ownership, pointing out that closer is legally trespassing. I was more concerned (and I think UP was too) with safety than the law, but it is something to remember when you get near the tracks.
I was just down the rails from this spot. Boy that hancock 3 chime whistle just about splits your eardrums don't it?
Yep, it sure does. That was a great place to see it too.