Big Boy 4018 on the Move!
Big Boy locomotive #4018 pauses briefly on the Museum’s tail track behind the Frisco Discovery Center. Located at the southwest end of the Museum’s trackage, the big articulated engine is about to negotiate the switch for the runaround track and head back north toward Exhibit Track 1. Engineer Steven Wainscott awaits the return of our crew taking a break on this hot July day.
While it’s running mate #4014 toured California, our very own Big Boy #4018 had a tour of its own – albeit considerably shorter in distance and with the assistance of a diesel. After years of track construction and positioning of other rolling stock, 4018 has moved to the top of our switch list to be located on its own dedicated exhibit track.
The historic locomotive has been patiently waiting to be moved from its point of arrival from Dallas back in 2013 while track was being laid within the museum – some 12,000 feet. Done in phases to manage cost, Exhibit Track 1 was completed late last year, wrapping up the track phase of facilities construction. This track will soon become Big Boy’s permanent home.
Interestingly, every curve and every turnout (switch) within the Museum is designed to accommodate 4018’s massive size. Theoretically, it’s long wheelbase, and 1.2-million-pound weight could negotiate the entire track infrastructure within the 12-acre site. This was put to the test somewhat on July 20 when Big Boy was moved nearly 2,000 feet on its way to Track 1.
(At Left) Our younger, more nimble volunteers Tanveer Ahmed and Zach Lybrand delight in crawling underneath Big Boy’s tender to jack up the rearmost axle prior to the move. This effectively reduces the length of the wheelbase on the centipede tender, allowing it to negotiate curves easier. This was also done when 4018 moved from Dallas to Frisco in 2013. This very effective preemptive measure was suggested in a memo produced by Union Pacific’s Mechanical Department in 1964 when Big Boys were being preserved and relocated off their main lines.
(At Right) “Senior” volunteers Dick Thompson and Steve Fass operate the hydraulic jack that made easy work of lifting Big Boy’s rear axle. It was raised 2” in order for the flanges to clear the top of the rails.
The Museum’s mechanical team lubricated and inspected the big locomotive prior to the move. The rearmost axle of the “centipede” tender was jacked up and blocked to raise the flanges above the rails. This was done during the move from Fair Park, which effectively reduces the wheelbase, allowing the long tender to better negotiate curves.
Our work paid off, with no issues! Big Boy eased along every curve and through each switch according to plan. There was quite a bit of groaning, which was our queue to stop and lubricate the rails. The final long stretch of 15-degree curved track proved a bit much for the Museum’s F-7A locomotive. The wheel-slip feature activated while attempting to re-start around the curve. We simply ran around 4018 and coupled on to the front and continued on with no slippage. It was the first time to use the run-around track, as Big Boy had been residing on the main track all these years.
Our “Steam Team” poses following a full morning of preparations to move Big Boy (above). A week later, moving day arrived. The big articulated engine gave us no problems during its nearly 2,000 ft. move along Museum trackage. We made careful checks along the way, lubricating flanges on curves and through turnouts (right).
The massive engine is now positioned just shy of passing through the final switch and entering Track 1. Look for an announcement to view its ceremonial arrival at its permanent exhibit location soon!
Will Big Boy never roll again? Never say never, we intend to maintain 4018’s running gear and move it a few hundred feet every so often. It has always been our policy to keep our rolling stock limber, which contributed greatly to the successful move from Dallas to Frisco. We anticipate rolling Big Boy for special events and the occasional trip over to the paint shop.
(At Left) Dick and Steve pose with 4018 during a brief inspection along the way. Flanges were lubricated just prior to entering the next curve, while crosshead lubricators were refilled with oil.
(At Right) Just when we thought we were home free, Big Boy groaned around the last curve, triggering the wheel-slip controls on the Museum’s F-7A locomotive. We simply ran around and grabbed it on the front end.
Many thanks to our dedicated volunteers for their hard work during the hot July days in prepping and moving #4018.
Museum Hosts Collin College SAIL Program
Participants in this summer’s SAIL program at the Museum of the American Railroad pause for a photo in our 1914 Santa Fe Parlor-Club car. A product of the Pullman Company, it is a most fitting photo op for the presentation. The car was a gift of the Santa Fe Railway in 1966.
Back by popular demand, the Museum recently held its second SAIL program for Collin College students. An acronym for Scholars Active In Learning, the program is open to all North Texas residents aged 55 and up. The Museum’s educational planner Melissa Johnson delivered the presentation to a full enrollment of seniors on June 18. She is also a professor of history at Collin, specializing in industrial history and the Progressive Era.
The presentation, titled “Go, Pullman: The Era of Luxury Rail Travel in America”, was a hit for a second year in a row. The lecture and slide program was held in the Museum’s 1937 M-K-T dining car, a most fitting location for the subject. A tour of the Museum preceded the program, and was led by Michael Bracken who attended last year’s SAIL event. Mike is now a regular volunteer for field trips and a docent in TrainTopia. What a success story!
Look for additional SAIL programs at the Museum. A new topic on the Transcontinental Railroad is planned for this Fall. For more info on Collin College’s SAIL programs, go to: https://www.collin.edu/sail/index.html
Looking Back on Six Years of TrainTopia!
It’s hard to believe that TrainTopia has enjoyed six years of enchanting its visitors and making lifelong memories. In fact, we’ve been so busy, we simply let its fifth anniversary get by us last year!
It seems like just yesterday that Jane Sanders contacted the Museum and offered her husband Steve's massive G-Scale train layout to us. That offer quickly led to excitement and support from the City of Frisco and Amanda and Brint Ryan of Dallas. The Ryans provided critical funding for relocation and reconstruction of the layout. The daunting task of moving the 2,500 sq. ft. miniature world of trains out of the Sanders home and reconstructing it in the Discovery Center met with vision and determination.
TrainTopia has become a staple at the Museum of the American Railroad. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Frisco. It has become a regular for Frisco residents, and during Christmas it's simply magical!
We’ve assembled 20-plus images here that tell the fascinating story of TrainTopia over the past six years. And we’re not done, it gets better every year as new features are added. Look for smoke to puff from the power plant’s stacks, and the Neuhoff O-Scale Layout to become operational soon!
TrainTopia is a gift of the Sanders Family, presented by Amanda and Brint Ryan, and made possible by the City of Frisco Community Development Corporation.
(At Left) First, was the logistical challenge of cataloging and moving the Sanders Layout from their North Dallas home to the Frisco Discovery Center space.
(AT Center) Bringing order from chaos, each feature of the layout was carefully inspected, repaired if necessary, and reinstalled on the layout.
(At Right) Here, the 7 ½ ft. extension to the middle section of the layout is constructed. This took advantage of the additional width of the Discovery Center space.
(At Left) Where’s the wiring diagram?! Deep below the layout was one of the most challenging aspects of its reconstruction. Our team was literally rewiring the whole thing during its first year of operation!
(At Center) The spot and flood fixtures that make up TrainTopia’s active lighting system await installation. Designed by Freeman-Ryan Design of Sydney, Australia, the system was installed by Wild West Lighting of Charlotte, NC.
(At Right) The interior of the Brazos Power & Light powerplant is ready for installation. The plant occupies the 7 ½ ft. extension and serves as an educational feature for field trips. The three tall stacks will soon emit smoke periodically during the day.
(At Left) Frank Boudewijn of Signage Systems in Dallas puts the finishing touches on the mural while Rayna Alam does paint touchup. Originally hand-painted onto the walls at the Sanders home, Frank used hi-res photos of the mural to create the backdrop on mylar, which he applied to the walls in the Discovery Center space. This was no small task and is one of the great success stories of preserving Steve Sanders’ precious layout.
(At Right) Victorious, three members of our TrainTopia craftsmen team pose following its grand opening. Dick Thompson, Rick Reinacker, and Steve Fass continue to maintain and make improvements to the layout. Having solved the wiring puzzle, they went on to completely automate the operation of trains and add many features to wow visitors. We are very proud of our in-house team, along with other volunteers.
(At Left) Street scenes abound throughout TrainTopia. Here, law enforcement attempts to wake a napping citizen on a park bench across from Dallas Union Terminal. The popular scavenger hunts are a favorite among visitors and encourage closer exploration and inspection of the layout. In fact, there is a scavenger hunt dedicated just to the many vintage automobiles.
(At Right) Another signature addition to TrainTopia is Hotel Settles. This magnificently crafted structure was created by Tom Pantuso of Old West Scenery. The hotel was added to a space originally occupied by the transformers, and is a tribute to Amanda and Brint Ryan who faithfully restored the original hotel in Big Spring.
(At Left) Celebrating Frisco’s rail heritage, several pieces of rolling stock feature the line’s famous logo and “Ship it on the Frisco” tagline.
(At Center) TrainTopia’s logo, created by Stan Hulen of HulenDesign, gives the attraction its own brand and identity within the Museum of the American Railroad. Stan created many iconic graphics for the State Fair of Texas.
(At Right) Before Uber, there was the ubiquitous Checker Cab! A line of yellow cabs awaits arriving passengers in front of Dallas Union Terminal. This all-too-familiar sight was commonplace in front of train stations and downtown hotels throughout America.
(At Left) The Museum’s team of volunteers and staff pose following a field trip by a Frisco elementary school. TrainTopia is one of the many station stops for students.
(At Center) John Garbutt, the Museum’s Director of Programs & Services, plays an instrumental role in keeping the trains rolling day-in and day-out. John was a quick study, and now masters the care and operation of TrainTopia’s locomotives and cars.
(At Right) A group of third graders marvels at downtown Dallas and Main Street during their visit to TrainTopia. With the layout diagram in hand, they look for each educational feature that supplements their field trip visit to the Museum.
(At Left) Cheri Neil, TrainTopia Manager, poses with long-time volunteer Bob Palka. Cheri has been with TrainTopia since the beginning, bringing 30+ years of experience managing Collectible Trains & Toys in Dallas. She delights children of all ages!
(At Right) Oops! Careful inspection of this photo reveals a derailment just ahead of the caboose. While not frequent, derailments do occur and are occasionally spectacular. Just like the real trains, we endeavor to prevent such an occurrence, albeit in miniature.
(At Left) This train “split a switch” near the Sanders Ranch, one of the features near Dallas. Not to worry, it was cleared up quickly and the train continued on to its destination. The G-Scale track has performed amazingly well over the past six years.
(At Right) Frank Boudewijn applies the mural for the O-Scale Neuhoff Layout now being reconstructed in TrainTopia. Also built by Robert Reid Studios of Ft. Worth, it will soon become another popular attraction at TrainTopia.
Day Out with Thomas: The Bubble Tour is Selling Quickly - Get Your Tickets Now!
All aboard for Day Out with Thomas: The Bubble Tour coming to downtown Grapevine October 11-13 & 18-20, 2024. Proceeds benefit the Museum of the American Railroad and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. Get your tickets now, they sell out quickly!
North Texas Giving Day is Just Around the Corner!
North Texas Giving Day is just around the corner - September 19th to be exact! This year you have the opportunity to contribute to a fantastic, lasting project at the Museum of the American Railroad.
We envision a new events pavilion - a versatile space that will serve as a venue for events & gatherings! The pavilion will be a dynamic space where students, families, friends, and neighbors can come together to learn, connect, and celebrate.
This 40 ft. x 120 ft. structure will feature all-steel construction with open trusses at each end. The total project cost is $100,000, and our goal this Giving Day is to raise 50% of the total needed to make the pavilion a reality!
If you'd like to help, check out our Giving Day profile at: Museum of the American Railroad | North Texas Giving Day
All Aboard!