Word around the executive office is that Vena wants nothing to do with Big Boy and is actually opposed to the entire idea. It goes against what psr is trying to accomplish, and thinks U.P needs to decide if its running a Railroad or a museum.
Lance on the other hand is loving the attention he is recieving from all of it. These two titans are clashing and when push comes to shove there can only be one man standing.
But you're missing the point. Yes, Big Boy costs a lot. But if they k--led it, they would NOT put the money into "saving jobs". They'd put it into buying back stock. They don't care about saving jobs anymore. This is not your father's UP.
Unless they’re being a smart a--, there’s not a single employee at UP not involved in marketing, HR, or PR that cares about this stupid big boy. Yes it’s good PR which UP desperately needs now, but how many employees could have been kept employed with the money being wasted on it? Basically if you’re job at UP isn’t to go around smoking like an id--t and saying b.s on TV, then you don’t give a rat’s behind about this steam locomotive.
@ 1xhe:
That would be true if human values and characteristics could be assigned to a corporate entity. Since there is no way to do so, your riposte, though thoughtful, is incorrect.
Lances last ride . Venas out touring and lance is in Utah
The steam engines are an excellent investment in public goodwill and great PR. People love them. Any parent with little kids loves them. America loves them. The Big Boy is the public image of UP, like it or not.
PR aside, UP is doing the public a great service by operating them. It connects people to our history, and it makes that history come alive. That's not a "museum," not at all. It's great business, great PR, and it's real, living history that we all can be proud of.
I can understand why Vena wants to get rid of them. He's under pressure from Blackrock. Short-sighted nonsense. Just what made UP so attractive to Blackrock in the first place? Lance has to draw the line somewhere and hold it. If UP terminates the steam program, then it will have truly lost its soul.
So what's your point? That Vena (for once) took a sensible position on what amounts to an expensive (and probably ineffective) public relations tool?
The things that could be done to improve workforce morale and improve the UPRR public image are off the table due the current mandate given to the executives by the shareholders. Vena is probably aware that Big Boy and anything like it is a waste of time and money. Vena is also apparently less concerned with his public image, unlike certain Other People rumored to hold major political aspirations.
I see no men; only boys destroying what their daddies and grand daddies built before the lamest generation took over.
two titans? of what? also, who is the third person? You said something about a man would be standing at the end.
Lance will be replaced by Vena the bone crusher
I think there is something to be said for honoring the history of the company. Look at all the positive PR this is generating.
It is a cn and csx railroaders wet dream to ride the thumping big big boy on a western road.
Only room for one big boy.
Vena loves riding the big boy