I have always been a bit of a train buff. My dad had a HO train set on a 4x8 plywood table in the garage. We fan Fleischmann trains on it that we got when we visited relatives in Europe. We always took trains within Europe. I remember taking the TGV from Paris to Madrid (I think). My dad was thrilled to be going on the high speed TGV. I vaguely remember it.

Any way, I have always liked them and when I heard that Big Biy was coming to town, I had to go see it. Friend of mine and I went to see it on static display n Fri and today, it left town for Oklahoma. I went on line and found its route then wen on google maps to pick a place to see it go by. Turns out the spot was perfect. Had lots of shade to rest while we waited and we had a goo look down the tracks.

Big Boy is the biggest steam locomotive in the world. Only a handful were made. I believe 25 were made in the early 40's, 8 remain and 4014 is the only remaining one in operation. She is a 4x8x8x4, weighs in at 1.2m lbs. Carries 6,500 gallons of #5 fuel and 25,000 gallons of H2O. 132' long and about 17' tall. Torque, about avg for a oil burned.....135,000 lbf.

I was about 30 ft from the track and I could feel the earth move as she passed. Absolutely incredible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJL6MekCcuQ

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