Also why restore one when they would prob. derail it anyway. So much UP, CSX in the news lately. I know its harsh but they can take it. Hopfully it will motivate ppl.
On the contrary, and at risk of swerving too far off-topic, I think the only reason we keep hearing about derailments is that the news outlets (and I use that term loosely) are getting a little too gung-ho about jumping on the disaster bandwagon. I saw a report about a CSX train in Florida where the lead loco picked a switch and wound up on the ground. The reporter was talking about how it sat there for hours, blocking traffic, how the police had to shut down roads, doom and gloom ad nauseam. THe homeowner she interviewed was like, "No one got hurt. It could've been a lot worse than a few blocked crossings."
Another case in point: the Metro North collision from last month. The NTSB is looking at a broken joint bar as a
possiblecause. And the headline? "NTSB: Track Defect Flagged Two Days Before Derailment."
http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/NTSB-Track-defect-flagged-two-days-before-4579169.php Let's do a scare piece about a train wreck rather than a piece about how this mild disaster was a success in the safety of modern transportation.
Now, back on topic. UP already can boast about running the largest operating steam locomotive in the world, but if they can restore 4014, then they can truly say they have the largest steam loco in the world operating. I have a few non-railroad friends who would even be impressed with that. It's nothing but good PR for them (and a several million dollar restoration, but they can afford it).
Sawyer, I think I remember hearing something about the landowner looking for a reason to kick the museum out. I agree; losing their star attraction would certainly hurt their chances of remaining at their present location. I hope this doesn't fall through, but I'm hard-pressed to think of an even trade, unless they had another Big Boy lying around they could give them.