Where is her boiler jacket? Why is she so dirty?
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Boiler jacket was likely taken off due to asbestos removal.
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Union Pacific ordered 88 of these types, which were built by Alco between 1926-1930 for the purpose of increasing the speed of freight trains in flat country. The Union Pacific was the only railroad to use these mighty engines, being fairly successful, but were maintenance nightmares. Numbered 9000-9087, they were 102 ft 7 in long, weighed 782,000 lbs. This warrior is the only 4-12-2 to survive!
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Of course it would have to have been removed for abatement, but is it normal not to replace it? The locomotive is incomplete (and rather unattractive) without it, and the boiler shell is directly exposed to the elements. I realize that in California this may not be as serious a problem as elsewhere.
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I am sure if the people who take care of 9000 had the money, they would go through the effort of creating the spacers, sheet metal and holding bands necessary to give it an aesthetic jacket. I am also sure they would welcome anyone who would wish to spearhead such a project. As it is, I would imagine a jacket for 9000 is on the to do list. I would say that the dry mild weather is no great danger to this metal like somewhere else back east. This is one of the reason's No. 4014 was selected after all. Southern California, and it's proximity to dusty desserts, causes every exterior metal object to get a patina of brown dirt that you need to wash off periodically. Ask any car owner there. Rather than a nightmare, I would say that the 3rd cylinder was an added maintenance chore instead. I would agree that it was the main deterrent to wide spread USA acceptance of the technology. The inaccessible components, however, were basically two bearings and two cross head guides. Most of the valve gear bearings were quite accessible on the pilot deck as you can see here. Still and all, the Nigel Gresley designed and ALCo licensed technology was the best 3rd cylinder valve control ever made. Witness to the fact that ALCo 3 cylinder locos on the UP, SP and the New haven ran right up to the end of steam on those respective roads.
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