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Big Boy at Verdi and Sparks
Jul. 15th, 2024 06:57 pmOn Sunday, the Big Boy hauled a passenger excursion train from Roseville to Sparks, with planned whistle stops at Colfax and Truckee, and a longer display at Sparks. One of the reasons we considered a bail-out at Colfax was so that we could record the train's stop at Colfax. It turned out that it's just as well that we didn't do that.
According to reports from the UP Steam Team, the Big Boy hit a tree that had fallen across the tracks near Auburn. This caused a three-plus-hour delay while the track was cleared and damage to the locomotive repaired. Due to the delay, the stops in Colfax and Truckee were scrubbed, as was the public display at Sparks.
On our way back from Roseville on Saturday, we scouted out a place where we could get a shot of the train moving through Verdi on its way to Sparks. As we kept track of the delayed train's progress, we didn't have to spend many hours waiting for the train in Verdi. We were the second car that parked in the area that we'd found, and when more cars started arriving, Lisa got out and set up her camera, staking out a good spot. The two tracks here run a small distance apart from each other, with one running on a higher level than the other. Most people seemed to assume that the train would be on, the lower, closer track.
( Cut to the Chase )
After watching the train pull into the yard, we used the restrooms at the Nugget and took a look around the casino, which used to be one of our favorites, but that we've not visited for some time. The Oyster Bar was open, but our "usual" table was taken; otherwise we probably would have stopped to have their shrimp pan roast. Instead, we trudged out to the van and went home. Despite the overcast and my sunscreen, I still got more sunburn, even wearing my hat. I just scorch in the sun.
Today, UP held a private event for employees only. Tomorrow, the Big Boy will be on the move again, for what is the Big Event for us: they should be passing Fernley house sometime tomorrow morning. The departure from Sparks is not publicized, but we can guess the time based on the planned stop at Lovelock later in the morning. Lisa will be setting up with her full kit of cameras across the street.
According to reports from the UP Steam Team, the Big Boy hit a tree that had fallen across the tracks near Auburn. This caused a three-plus-hour delay while the track was cleared and damage to the locomotive repaired. Due to the delay, the stops in Colfax and Truckee were scrubbed, as was the public display at Sparks.
On our way back from Roseville on Saturday, we scouted out a place where we could get a shot of the train moving through Verdi on its way to Sparks. As we kept track of the delayed train's progress, we didn't have to spend many hours waiting for the train in Verdi. We were the second car that parked in the area that we'd found, and when more cars started arriving, Lisa got out and set up her camera, staking out a good spot. The two tracks here run a small distance apart from each other, with one running on a higher level than the other. Most people seemed to assume that the train would be on, the lower, closer track.
( Cut to the Chase )
After watching the train pull into the yard, we used the restrooms at the Nugget and took a look around the casino, which used to be one of our favorites, but that we've not visited for some time. The Oyster Bar was open, but our "usual" table was taken; otherwise we probably would have stopped to have their shrimp pan roast. Instead, we trudged out to the van and went home. Despite the overcast and my sunscreen, I still got more sunburn, even wearing my hat. I just scorch in the sun.
Today, UP held a private event for employees only. Tomorrow, the Big Boy will be on the move again, for what is the Big Event for us: they should be passing Fernley house sometime tomorrow morning. The departure from Sparks is not publicized, but we can guess the time based on the planned stop at Lovelock later in the morning. Lisa will be setting up with her full kit of cameras across the street.
