Another reason I love my Lightning

[Timeless Epoch]

If you were not a aware, the Union Pacific 4014 Big Boy has been making a coast to coast tour in celebration of America’s 250. That brought it into my kneck of the woods (Ohio) so I decided I wanted to go see it. The wife and I made a trip of it and drove from Cincinnati to Cleveland and spent a day there. From there we drove along the lake shore (3.4m/kwh!!) to Put in Bay and stayed there a few nights.

Then it was down to Fostoria, OH to see the “Big Boy”. Well… that was a complete mess. Very little thought was put into the logistics of the event which resulted in most people not getting to see it. We sat on a country road in the middle of soybean fields for as far as the eye could see, for 3 hours. We only moved about 1/4 mile the whole time sitting in 95F heat. While most motorists had to turn their cars off because cars don’t like to idle for hours at a time, we sat in a nice cool cabin with a plug in cooler in the back seat full of snacks and drinks. Used only 1% of the battery the whole time.

That got me to thinking, why is it I love my truck so much? Beyond being a thrill to drive, I realized (had a lot of time to think) just how easy this truck is to live with. Things that don’t make it into the marketing materials, reviews, or even influencer commentary. By having a home EVSE (key) this thing is always ready to go. I don’t have to think about anything. Do I need to fill it up before the next activity? Do I need to get an oil change? Should I give up my AC (or heat) while the Mrs. is shopping so I am not gumming up valves or fouling out plugs? I just use it how I want and when I want with never a second thought. The little things add up.

I never did make it to the event. They closed it early. They said because of the heat, but it was no warmer than they were predicting days earlier or was typical for July. I think it was because they gridlocked pretty much every road within 3 miles of this thing and they were surprised at how unprepared they were.

I did get up early the next morning and drove several miles west to catch it as it steamed by. Gave me chills standing so close to something so big and loud as it went flying by. Crazy.

I restored this Hamilton 950B pocket watch that was made in 1941, the same year as the Big Boy.

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[ll214zy]

Great post! Totally agree about how convenient / confortable of a vehicle the Lightning is.

And I am very jealous that you got to see the Big Boy. I was disappointed when I looked up the route earlier this year and it wasn’t coming anywhere near me.

 

[Lightning Rod]

We like to go to different beaches and marinas along Lake Erie to see some beautiful sunsets. We sometimes like to get there early and sit in the AC, reclined back, talk and maybe listen to music. A few weeks ago, an older couple parked next to us was also parked there for a couple hours. After the sunset, he lifted his hood. He'd ran the battery down by listening to the radio for too long without starting it. Long story short, I gave him a jump with my jumpbox that I always keep with me. I then realized that we sit for hours at a time, dozens of times a year, sometimes in sweltering hot humid or freezing cold conditions and we don't bat an eye. The Lightning just effortlessly provides and doesn't ask for anything in return... except plug me in at night.

Yes, the little things do add up! I truly love my Lightning.


Great post!

 

[Nikos]

If you were not a aware, the Union Pacific 4014 Big Boy has been making a coast to coast tour in celebration of America’s 250. That brought it into my kneck of the woods (Ohio) so I decided I wanted to go see it. The wife and I made a trip of it and drove from Cincinnati to Cleveland and spent a day there. From there we drove along the lake shore (3.4m/kwh!!) to Put in Bay and stayed there a few nights.

Then it was down to Fostoria, OH to see the “Big Boy”. Well… that was a complete mess. Very little thought was put into the logistics of the event which resulted in most people not getting to see it. We sat on a country road in the middle of soybean fields for as far as the eye could see, for 3 hours. We only moved about 1/4 mile the whole time sitting in 95F heat. While most motorists had to turn their cars off because cars don’t like to idle for hours at a time, we sat in a nice cool cabin with a plug in cooler in the back seat full of snacks and drinks. Used only 1% of the battery the whole time.

That got me to thinking, why is it I love my truck so much? Beyond being a thrill to drive, I realized (had a lot of time to think) just how easy this truck is to live with. Things that don’t make it into the marketing materials, reviews, or even influencer commentary. By having a home EVSE (key) this thing is always ready to go. I don’t have to think about anything. Do I need to fill it up before the next activity? Do I need to get an oil change? Should I give up my AC (or heat) while the Mrs. is shopping so I am not gumming up valves or fouling out plugs? I just use it how I want and when I want with never a second thought. The little things add up.

I never did make it to the event. They closed it early. They said because of the heat, but it was no warmer than they were predicting days earlier or was typical for July. I think it was because they gridlocked pretty much every road within 3 miles of this thing and they were surprised at how unprepared they were.

I did get up early the next morning and drove several miles west to catch it as it steamed by. Gave me chills standing so close to something so big and loud as it went flying by. Crazy.

I restored this Hamilton 950B pocket watch that was made in 1941, the same year as the Big Boy.

One the many who love our Lightnings and what the truck brings to us. It is this love that makes us to share great stories about our lives and the things we do that matter to us.
Thank you for sharing this unique story.
Good luck.

 

[Buio]

I grew up in NEPA , Scranton area, " Moosic " , it borders Scranton . And just recently visited while Big Boy was going thru. It was wild seeing it rumbling down the tracks that were just a 1/4 mile from the house I grew up in. So many adventures " walking the tracks " as a kid. Countless coins being flattened , etc.

It's a very small town , and there were only a hand full of people at the crossing ( many I know & haven't seen in 30 years) . But one could have literally reached out & touched it , if so foolish. It shook the ground & the Whistle is LOUD .

One of the 14 ever made, is actually on permanent display in downtown Scranton ( at the Steamtown Mall , of course , LOL. At one time Scranton was said to be the Anthracite capital of the world when coal was a major fuel source. Going by the number of breakers I remember growing up , I have no reason not to believe it .

Here is a pic of my daughter & her friend at the display Big Boy.

 

[Bobby Two Two]

I live on a small Gulf Island between Vancouver and Victoria. Our ferry to Victoria is usually crowded and we can't make reservations. I am sitting in a line at 6:30 AM in the cold and wet South Coast (of Canada) winter waiting for the 8:45 ferry. I have the heat on, the music on, hot coffee in my mug, and it doesn't put a dent in the estimated range on the dash. It's just like the old days when we would sit in our ICE powered whatever and run the heat, etc. except without the stink or fear of CO poisoning.

 

[MaintGrl]

I live on a small Gulf Island between Vancouver and Victoria. Our ferry to Victoria is usually crowded and we can't make reservations. I am sitting in a line at 6:30 AM in the cold and wet South Coast (of Canada) winter waiting for the 8:45 ferry. I have the heat on, the music on, hot coffee in my mug, and it doesn't put a dent in the estimated range on the dash. It's just like the old days when we would sit in our ICE powered whatever and run the heat, etc. except without the stink or fear of CO poisoning.

One of the perks of having POWER without an engine.

 

[Joe Dablock]

I feel sorry for you guys trying to see big boy. I bet moped right into big boy 2 Saturdays ago in my sister’s back yard between Johnstown and Latrobe Pennsylvania. Here is a little video!

 

[Grumpy2]

That is truly an example of American manufacturing, 8 drivers on each side, WOW! Thank

 

[Buio]

You needn't feel sorry for me. My body shook & ears rang for a long while, being within 20
' or so of it as it rumbled by. I forgot I even videoed it. I'm the worst taking pics / videos. I also stupidly forgot how it would effect my dog. He was shaking for quite a while.

 

[MaintGrl]

I feel sorry for you guys trying to see big boy. I bet moped right into big boy 2 Saturdays ago in my sister’s back yard between Johnstown and Latrobe Pennsylvania. Here is a little video!

WOW, How cool is THAT, once in a lifetime occurrence!

 

[MountainAlive]

Great story and pics. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Shmoe]

I grew up in NEPA , Scranton area, " Moosic " , it borders Scranton . And just recently visited while Big Boy was going thru. It was wild seeing it rumbling down the tracks that were just a 1/4 mile from the house I grew up in. So many adventures " walking the tracks " as a kid. Countless coins being flattened , etc.

It's a very small town , and there were only a hand full of people at the crossing ( many I know & haven't seen in 30 years) . But one could have literally reached out & touched it , if so foolish. It shook the ground & the Whistle is LOUD .

One of the 14 ever made, is actually on permanent display in downtown Scranton ( at the Steamtown Mall , of course , LOL. At one time Scranton was said to be the Anthracite capital of the world when coal was a major fuel source. Going by the number of breakers I remember growing up , I have no reason not to believe it .

Here is a pic of my daughter & her friend at the display Big Boy.

Born in Scranton at CMC, lived in Clarks Summit til I was a teen. Now residing outside Philly in South Jersey. Always nice to meet another local. Gotta love that old forge pizza!

 

[GDN]

Big Boy is a beast. Have been lucky that it has already made two loops through TX and was able to get good views and close up both times. I was driving a Model 3 at the time, but yep, nice to have some AC while waiting out in the heat.

We also have 4018 (static) here here in Frisco (DFW area) - so nice to go see it up close once in a while.

 

[Buio]

Born in Scranton at CMC, lived in Clarks Summit til I was a teen. Now residing outside Philly in South Jersey. Always nice to meet another local. Gotta love that old forge pizza!

LOL , small world. Yes , I'm very familiar with OF pizza. I was VERY good friends w/ the youngest son from Revello's Pizza , until I moved away. I hear Salerno's was , or is up for sale. That was probably my personal favorite.
Funny story about my friend from Revello's . He opened a satellite shop in Mt. Pocono & we used to look forward to the NY / NJ weekend visitors coming in saying " Yeah , lemme get a pie" , to which my friend would reply w/o missing a beat " Apple or Blueberry ? " Any pizza connoisseur knows Sicilian is THE pizza.

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