All About Pocket Knives

I imagine all of you mid-westerners are out catching 4014?

Good-bye old Paint, I'm a' leavin' Cheyenne. On my birthday no less. I really hope July 9th/10th works out.

I originally posted this pic 2 years ago, taken from an overpass in south St Louis. That was a good spot with the big brute passing just a few feet directly underneath, the smoke, whistle, vibration........

1967redrider wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2026 1:23 pm I imagine all of you mid-westerners are out catching 4014?

Next week will be a Giant week in West Chicago.
I hope to see the 4014 BigBoy at least two times maybe 3 we will have to see. Possibly inbound for sure static and possibly outbound.

However I am a little disappointed to learn that from dyno testing and actual running that it may not have been the most powerful engine to run the rails.
At my previous job someone said it and it was easy for me to adopt.
in GOD WE TRUST everything/everyone else has to show me the Data. In this case the Data may be a bit disappointing for the BIGBOY.
Of course that’s not going to stop me from going to see a Dinosaur running the Rails in my neck of the woods.
Steve

Good morning Ike, John and anyone who wants to chime in.
I am trying to get a little consensus.
Should I watch the Bigboy go over the fox river on a high trestle bridge or should I stand on an overpass and watch it go under?
If I stand on the overpass it may be slowing down because the west Chicago stop is very close.
Steve

BNSF 719 C44-9W EB DS it’s rare to see a War bonnet on the point these days. Enjoy

LKSKNIVES wrote: ↑Sun May 31, 2026 11:33 am Good morning Ike, John and anyone who wants to chime in.
I am trying to get a little consensus.
Should I watch the Bigboy go over the fox river on a high trestle bridge or should I stand on an overpass and watch it go under?
If I stand on the overpass it may be slowing down because the west Chicago stop is very close.
Steve

Normally, I would opt for the bridge, are you referring to the Geneva bridge, is that where it will be crossing? Would you be able to get a good view? It looks like it would be a little tough from pictures I looked at, but I have never been there.

The overpass would be awesome, cons would be being elbow to elbow and having to arrive early for a good spot, also if you are on an overpass with any traffic it may be difficult to get any looks from the other side after it goes under the overpass.

Either way, you can't go wrong. I didn't help a bit, did I?

Santa Fe wrote: ↑Sun May 31, 2026 2:34 pm BNSF 719 EB DS it’s rare to see a War bonnet on the point these days. Enjoy

Wow! Great catch and nice picture.

After the BN. ATSF merger in September 1995 about 98 C44-9W’s were delivered in red and silver War Bonnet and about 20 or so with Santa Fe on the nose. Amazingly after almost 31 years most of em are still on the road!!

LKSKNIVES wrote: ↑Sun May 31, 2026 11:33 am Good morning Ike, John and anyone who wants to chime in.
I am trying to get a little consensus.
Should I watch the Bigboy go over the fox river on a high trestle bridge or should I stand on an overpass and watch it go under?
If I stand on the overpass it may be slowing down because the west Chicago stop is very close.
Steve

I would go for the overpass, if it's not too crowded. If you have a good zoom camera and can pan in, the bridge would be cool. I guess it depends . . .

Santa Fe wrote: ↑Sun May 31, 2026 2:34 pm BNSF 719 C44-9W EB DS it’s rare to see a War bonnet on the point these days. Enjoy

Nice catch!

WAITING

West bound Metra

At least you caught something, Steve. When I visit the Argentine Yards in KC, where is a tightly woven chain link on the bridge which makes photography very difficult.

Going to try and see it on display shortly. The video is okay as well but I can’t load it

That was a good spot, how crowded was it?

There ended up two other groups than myself yesterday.
A very young boy his dad and Grandpa.
One other dad showed up at the last minute with a little one on his shoulders. The wife and other son were across 38 different view point.

This morning at west Chicago quite another story for the static display. I didn’t make it inside to get close and personal. So I got a couple of pictures went back to work. Try again tomorrow hopefully be there when it leaves. If you zoom on the first picture that was the back of the line. Other pictures are from the over pass that is were I left and went back to work

Where's Ike???

The Big Boy went through my town Monday. 6/1/26.

2026
https://youtube.com/shorts/Vc1mRkU5PP8?feature=share

2024 by Belle Plaine, IA

https://youtu.be/FKixO__9smc

Kolvir wrote: ↑Wed Jun 03, 2026 8:05 pm The Big Boy went through my town Monday. 6/1/26.

2026
https://youtube.com/shorts/Vc1mRkU5PP8?feature=share

2024 by Belle Plaine, IA

https://youtu.be/FKixO__9smc

Kolvir thank you for the post
Nice video and you were at crossing. Have to hear the steam whistle scream that is the best part of the experience.
I am going to try and be in west Chicago tomorrow morning when it leaves. Start up and hopefully plenty of steam whistle.
Steve

1967redrider wrote: ↑Wed Jun 03, 2026 5:48 pm Where's Ike???

Nice clip RR
Thank you as well

The N&W 611, Queen of Steam!

Tinpanva wrote: ↑Wed Jun 03, 2026 10:57 pm The N&W 611, Queen of Steam!

Tinpanva thank you for posting
That is my all time favorite. I will leave it at that.
Steve

I saw that this Fall, they're bringing a C&O steam engine down from Michigan to run with 611.