Hey Robert this is Caden Smith. Did you know that the guy name Ed Dicken. he is the one who restoration the Big Boy 4014 back in 2014. he did change the firebox and the some the control system because they don't work or outdate so Ed have to do what best for the Big Boy. and it had a PTC system. Positive Train Control (PTC) systems are designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, over-speed derailments, incursions into established work zones, and movements of trains through switches left in the wrong position. It does have some modern technology as like The new system's components - computer, GPS satellite and radio antennas to the Big boy and it crews and you will ask yourself why? Well the Railroad was not made for steam anymore and they don't do coal or water towers and they don't do paper or things they do back then. so they have too what best for Big Boy and it crew. other thing is that it burn oil because it clean and less expensive the other hand is that the coal is more expensive and can cause fire and can get the locomotive itself dirty and the parts too. most people ask me why does the big boy have to need diesel from the back and i will say this it because they don't want use 100% steam power which that will cause to worn out real quick. so the diesel is pushing the big boy to burn less fuel and help the breaking when it want to stop. they don't make the brake shoe wheel and the parts anymore so everything you see the parts is customize build by hand and 3d metal maker. I have been researching about the big boy a lot lately.
Hey Robert this is Caden Smith. Did you know that the guy name Ed Dicken. he is the one who restoration the Big Boy 4014 back in 2014. he did change the firebox and the some the control system because they don't work or outdate so Ed have to do what best for the Big Boy. and it had a PTC system. Positive Train Control (PTC) systems are designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, over-speed derailments, incursions into established work zones, and movements of trains through switches left in the wrong position. It does have some modern technology as like The new system's components - computer, GPS satellite and radio antennas to the Big boy and it crews and you will ask yourself why? Well the Railroad was not made for steam anymore and they don't do coal or water towers and they don't do paper or things they do back then. so they have too what best for Big Boy and it crew. other thing is that it burn oil because it clean and less expensive the other hand is that the coal is more expensive and can cause fire and can get the locomotive itself dirty and the parts too. most people ask me why does the big boy have to need diesel from the back and i will say this it because they don't want use 100% steam power which that will cause to worn out real quick. so the diesel is pushing the big boy to burn less fuel and help the breaking when it want to stop. they don't make the brake shoe wheel and the parts anymore so everything you see the parts is customize build by hand and 3d metal maker. I have been researching about the big boy a lot lately.