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Union Pacific #4014 August 16 & 18, 2021 |
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My son, Noah, joined me for a father/son excursion to the Hempstead area to see and record UP #4014. This was Noah's first time taking his own photos!
Two days later, I went out by myself to catch 4014 near Huffman, as she left the Houston area.
UP #4014 is a "Big Boy", 4-8-8-4. The largest class of steam locomotive ever constructed. 25 were built. 8 survive today. 4014 is the only one to operate since the 1950's.
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Videos contributed by Blake Bogs, Brian Jansky, and Jason Rose.
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Day 1 East Texas, near Hempstead
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Here we are at our first spot of the day, a few miles north of Hempstead at MP 47.99 on UP's Eureka Subdivision. We were early, so Noah whiled away the time throwing rock into the ditch near the railroad.
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Me & my sidekick
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Looking north towards Navasota
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South towards Hempstead
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This was Noah's first attempt to take his own photos. I was REALLY excited to see what he came up with.
Funny story: As we were waiting, Noah casually asked me if anyone from Long Leaf would be there. He associates most railroad stuff with Long Leaf these days because we're over there so often to work on the railroad. I told him that I wasn't expecting to see anyone, but that "Mr. Chuck" lived nearby. As soon as I said that, I heard a car door behind me and there stood Chuck. Noah hadn't met him yet, so I introduced them.
Here is a video of Chucks model railroad that I shot a few years ago. It's in a barn on his property.
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Here she comes!
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Noah took this photo. Noah's very first railroad photo! This makes me very happy.
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My photo of the same moment.
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Noah took this photo.
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Noah took this photo.
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Noah: hard at work.
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Our 2nd stop was at MP 44.06 on UP's Eureka Subdivision The train stopped in Hempstead, giving us a chance to leapfrog ahead for a few more photos.
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MP 44 on UP's Eureka Subdivision
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Noah poses for a photo in the HOT Texas sun.
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"Ok Dad... where's the train?!"
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Here she comes!
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Noah took this photo.
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Daddy's favorite photo of the day.
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Noah took this photo.
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Noah took this photo.
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Noah took this photo. Noah got a shot of Daddy working.
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Noah took this photo.
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Noah took this photo.
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After the train left, we loaded up and looked at Noah's photos in the truck with the AC blasting. He was really excited to show me and I was really excited to see them. It was GREAT day of father/son bonding.
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Day 2 East of Lake Houston, near Huffman
I took Noah to school (sadly) and drove out to Huffman. I missed my sidekick, but Brian Jansky joined me and we passed the time catching up.
I also had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Kathy Muhle of the Kingwood Photography Club.
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MP 396.51 - UP Beaumont Subdivision
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Some establishing shots, to figure out what would work. I had plenty of time to kill...
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The crowd gathers... Those storm clouds were legit. It poured on us for about 10 minutes.
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Ok... the light is just about perfect. Queue the train!
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Here she comes!
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It took me a few minutes to pack up my gear and get to the truck. I was one of the last to leave. And not 2 minutes after I got to the truck, the bottom fell out again and I was darn glad to be under cover this time. I'd estimate that area got 2-3" of rain as I drove home.
All-in-all these 2 days were a great distraction from the insanity of the world around us and I'm grateful for the experience.
Thank you, UP.
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