danlansdowne: (Train)
danlansdowne ([personal profile] danlansdowne) wrote2012-12-08 05:26 pm

The king to resume its throne?

Rumours are rampant that Union Pacific will buy back one of its gigantic "Big Boy" steam engines and restore it to operation. If restored, the behemoth would be far and away the largest operable locomotive in existence--not to mention a sight to see for any train fan in the world.

[identity profile] dhlawrence.livejournal.com 2012-12-11 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
We'll never see a GG1 in action again, but this is achievable. The goal is to restore it to service by 2019--150th anniversary of Promontory Point. What a sight that would be!

Have you been watching AMC's Hell on Wheels? It's about the building of the railroad, focusing on the construction camp in particular. Chief O'Brien plays UP executive Thomas Durant.

[identity profile] avenginglioness.livejournal.com 2012-12-11 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
I only have, like, basic cable. I am pretty sure I don't get AMC! Now I want to upgrade so I can watch it. XD

[identity profile] dhlawrence.livejournal.com 2012-12-11 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
It's a fun show--you can probably get it on DVD. I don't know if Durant will be sticking around; at season's end he was getting banged up for fraud. His character was set quite early in the first episode: he beat the crap out of a surveyor for not putting in more curves and bumping up the per-mile fee he would get.