Union Pacific Big Boy

[Tim-B]

The Big Boy will be passing through my area tomorrow. Does anyone know their radio call sign? Is it just UP4014 or is there a different call sign?
Also, does Big Boy use an HOTD so that I can know when they are close?

 

[Markef]

All trains are referred by the train orders lettering system and the engine number such as UP4014. Listen for UP 4014

 

[laidback]

It will be on the road channel of the branch you are on.

 

[Tim-B]

Excellent, thanks. So they pretty much do it the same way BNSF does in my area. RR initials and lead locomotive number for the call sign. I am bringing an Icom IC-R30 which can scan all of AAR channels 1-97 in less than a second and a nice loud 1500 mW audio Icom IC-V86 connected to a DPD Productions mobile car roof mounted traintenna scanning just the local UP subdivision dispatch and road channels.

Any idea if Big Boy uses an HOTD? Might as well monitor 452.9375 as well.

 

[laidback]

You will have an exciting railfan experience !!! DON'T FORGET VIDEO EQUIPMENT!

 

[AK9R]

If, by chance, you happen to be close to the 4014 when it stops, be wary of falling cinders. I've known steam engine operators to use a jet of steam to clear the stack when the locomotive stops. That will shower cinders on everybody.

 

[CSBrown]

If, by chance, you happen to be close to the 4014 when it stops, be wary of falling cinders. I've known steam engine operators to use a jet of steam to clear the stack when the locomotive stops. That will shower cinders on everybody.

4014 is oil fired, no cinders.

 

[JoshuaHufford]

I'm pretty sure there is a HOT and EOT setup, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

And they simply call it UP4014 on the road channel. You will probably hear a lot of chatter from the dispatcher warning other nearby trains to watch out for people around it. I've seen a lot of people get really stupid around that engine.

 

[hiegtx]

I'm pretty sure there is a HOT and EOT setup, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

And they simply call it UP4014 on the road channel. You will probably hear a lot of chatter from the dispatcher warning other nearby trains to watch out for people around it. I've seen a lot of people get really stupid around that engine.

When Big Boy came through the DFW area last weekend, the dispatcher was warning the engineers of areas where crowds along the track might be getting too close, and advised increased use of the whistle & bell as warnings. There were extremely large crowds Sunday as the engine left Fort Worth & did short stops in three Ellis County. I shot some brief video along the track where it paralleled a farm to market road between Waxahachie and Ennis. Communications were on the normal road channels along the route.

Monitor the progress via the online map, or follow it on Twitter for frequent updates in where Big Boy is, and whether moving or stopped.

 

[Tim-B]

Thanks for the replies. Just a few hours till I leave to head that way. I have the tracking website up and running in my phone. I went to youtube and saw a video where you can clearly see poor ol' FRED hanging onto the back. You can't have Fred on the back without his girlfriend Mary on the front. So I will be listening to Mary's frequency too so I can know when they are just a few miles away. Poor Fred. You gotta feel sorry for him. He and Mary talk all day long but they never get to meet. There is something big in between them. Oh, well, at least Fred is a guy who is going places.

 

[AK9R]

4014 is oil fired, no cinders.

Of course. [Where's that facepalm emoji?] But, the bunker oil that oil-fired steam locomotives must generate some soot. Probably not in the quantity or size of a less-efficient coal-fired locomotive. Thanks for the correction.

 

[kv5e]

Big Boy 4014 Arrival Ennis, Texas

Big Boy 4014 Highball Ennis, Texas

Took my APX7KXE with BT RSM to monitor, UP folks carrying Kenwood portables.

160.6650 MHz 11k3F3E

RSM comes through loud and clear on the video......WHAT A BEAST!!!!! I have crawled all over 4018 up in Frisco.....seeing this steaming up the track.

JAW DROPPING!

 

[laidback]

KV5E, Thanks for the video's , could not make this run. Thanks

 

[hiegtx]

Big Boy 4014 Arrival Ennis, Texas

Big Boy 4014 Highball Ennis, Texas

Took my APX7KXE with BT RSM to monitor, UP folks carrying Kenwood portables.

160.6650 MHz 11k3F3E

RSM comes through loud and clear on the video......WHAT A BEAST!!!!! I have crawled all over 4018 up in Frisco.....seeing this steaming up the track.

JAW DROPPING!

Here's the editted short video I took, off FM 879, between Waxahachie & Ennis.

Microsoft OneDrive - Access files anywhere. Create docs with free Office Online.

Store photos and docs online. Access them from any PC, Mac or phone. Create and work together on Word, Excel or PowerPoint documents.

1drv.ms

 

[tvengr]

I went to youtube and saw a video where you can clearly see poor ol' FRED hanging onto the back. You can't have Fred on the back without his girlfriend Mary on the front.

The HOTD is also referred to as Wilma, FRED Flintstone's wife.

End of Train Device | Trains And Locomotives Wiki | Fandom

Wilma-Head-of-Train-Device/README.md at master · titus-studios-media/Wilma-Head-of-Train-Device · GitHub

While Wilma Rides Up Front, FRED Takes Up The Rear | Flickr

A typical "Wilma", head-of-train (HTD) or HOT Device (the top unit), displaying the current brake line pressure on the rear end. | Rear ended, Train, Locomotive (pinterest.com)

 

[Tim-B]

I think Wilma makes more sense too. Fred and Wilma, or Fred and Ethel, or Fred and Ginger. Where did Mary come from?

 

[KC0QNB]

We won't get our chance to catch her(him?) Until it heads from Denver home to Cheyenne. Anyone know what the road frequency is for that area?

 

[laidback]

I will (Assume) they will follow the BNSF , the road channel is 161.160.
The UP-BNSF shared channels:
160.650

160.920

161.100

160.695

161.160

161.490

160.455

160.710

161.145

160.470

160.320

 

[KC0QNB]

I will (Assume) they will follow the BNSF , the road channel is 161.160.
The UP-BNSF shared channels:
160.650

160.920

161.100

160.695

161.160

161.490

160.455

160.710

161.145

160.470

160.320

Thank you

 

[RadioJonD]

Is there a radio amateur special event station aboard?