The Centennial's move started here, near the Amtrack station. You may catch this view when you wait for the passenger train.
The engine was prepared well in advance. This was taken the Saturday before the move.
On Saturday April 9th, the 270 ton diesel-electric engine followed the same path as the Big Boy steam engine moved a few weeks earlier.
The engine was raised on hydraulic-drive wheel-sets. It moved down 10th street at a screaming 3 mph. The Centennials were capable of pulling a train at 90 mph.
The Centennials were the largest diesel-electric locomotives ever built.
Video - Crawling down 10th Street.
You may need to click on the image to start the video.
Time for a slight coarse adjustment.
It was a beautiful day. There were plenty of photographers following the action.
The film crew from the Discovery Channel followed along.
The Centnnial cleared most of the wires without much problem. It's wheels had been removed so it wasn't as tall as the Big Boy.
The utilitiy crews raised most of the wires without needing the bucket.
The moving crew leader is interviewed.
Metal plates were used to spread the load over an unpaved lot. There was a break in the action while the crew prepares to bring the engine around the corner.
The observers at Ed's Rexall had a good view.
The police department provided traffic control.
A few of the metal plates were repositioned as the engine begins to round the corner.
I wondered why this women was wheeling her baby so close to the action until I read the name on the back of her shirt.
One of the moving crew members took a close up video of the wheels as they climbed the curb.
Video - repositioning another metal plate.
You may need to click on the image to start the video.
The crowd watches as the engine clears the corner.
Some old friends were reunited by the event.
The film crew follows.
A short break.
Another interview.
It was a beautiful day, but very windy.
Video - you can hear the wind in this video.
You may need to click on the image to start the video.
The move blocked the main route to Lauritzen Gardens. Volunteers guided visiters along alternate routes.
Bancroft Street is very narrow. Quite a few trees had been trimmed to make way for the move.
It was a tight fit.
The crew decided to break for lunch and I called it a day. I'll return when the locomotives are settled in their new display area.
Click here to see photos of the Big Boy moving day.