UP 4014 Big Boy

BeanAnimal · 2026-07-13T09:10:26-0400

D750 RAW
No time to do any WB or color correction, these are screencaps from Nikon RAW software.

First is pulling into whistle stop at Leetsdale, PA
Second is it coming through Torrence PA at about 25 mph.
Third is Casandra Point coming down grade from Cresson Summit and Lilly toward Johnstown.

Firstr

nautical_nathaniel · 2026-07-13T09:11:46-0400

Nice pics!

BeanAnimal · 2026-07-13T09:13:47-0400

Crossing Ohio River in Pittsburgh at McKees Rocks on the way to Leetsdale. Video from my brother on his boat while I was fighting for a spot at Leetsdale after chasing Big Boy all day.

If that doesn't leave you with a smile on your face, I am not sure what will.

Fish Styx · 2026-07-13T09:14:32-0400

Awesome!

BeanAnimal · 2026-07-13T09:19:01-0400

Fish Styx said:
Awesome!

Once in a lifetime. I have been a UP Big Boy and Challenger fan since I was an little kid. Almost regret taking photos instead of just watching it go by. I would have chased for days if I had time. The smiles on the UP crews faces were as big as the rail fans smiles. The whole experience was amazing and UP and Norfolk and Southern put on one heck of a show here in PA, and I am sure they did the same from coast to coast. There were people in the tracks everywhere you looked, even in the middle of nowhere -- every bridge, crossing a spot where you could catch a view.

Next up the PRR T1 in a few years!

Fish Styx · 2026-07-13T09:21:48-0400

BeanAnimal said:
Once in a lifetime. I have been a UP Big Boy and Challenger fan since I was an little kid. Almost regret taking photos instead of just watching it go by. I would have chased for days if I had time. The smiles on the UP crews faces were as big as the rail fans smiles. The whole experience was amazing and UP and Norfolk and Southern put on one heck of a show here in PA, and I am sure they did the same from coast to coast. There were people in the tracks everywhere you looked, even in the middle of nowhere -- every bridge, crossing a spot where you could catch a view.

Next up the PRR T1 in a few years!

We need to make sure @Stang67 sees this.

BeanAnimal · 2026-07-13T09:26:38-0400

Not to get lost, but the entire train was heritage. The diesels were all part of the heritage fleet and the paint was amazing. The various pullman cars were also flawless. The UP heritage crew does amazing work. I would thank every one of them in person if I could. Keeping this history rolling is a huge task.

Gumbies R Us · 2026-07-13T09:43:58-0400

BeanAnimal said:
D750 RAW
No time to do any WB or color correction, these are screencaps from Nikon RAW software.

First is pulling into whistle stop at Leetsdale, PA
Second is it coming through Torrence PA at about 25 mph.
Third is Casandra Point coming down grade from Cresson Summit and Lilly toward Johnstown.

Firstr

Trains are so neat to me. The look of them and how they operate is pretty cool. Funny enough, I took my first-ever train ride this year (it was also River's first train ride as well)