Big Boy #4014 In One Piece

Published Jan 30, 2019 By Robert Blue

Two years and a lot of hard work has Big Boy #4014 sitting on the rails again!

According to Ed Dickens, head of the Union Pacific Steam Team, “the last time Union Pacific had an articulated locomotive disassembled for this level of repair was in the 1950’s.”

An articulated locomotive has one boiler sitting over two separate of engine units or “drivers”. The two engine units move independently of each other which allows the long boiler to negotiate curves which would otherwise prove impossible.

Of the 25 Big Boys that were built, all but 8 were scrapped, unfortunately.

Now there are two Big Boys in Cheyenne. #4014 now under restoration, and #4004 sitting as a display in Holiday Park, also in the town of Cheyenne.

The Big Boys could pull a 5 1/2 mile long train on level ground!

Quick Facts

Rail Line: Union Pacific
Train Name: Big Boy
Power type: 4-8-8-4 Steam Locomotive Class 4000
Builder: American Locomotive Company
Coal Consumption: 22,000 lbs per hour
Locomotive and tender weight: 1,250,000 lbs
Max Speed: 80 mph

Please let us know if you have ever had a chance to see Big Boy #4014 at the UP steams shops in Cheyenne. We would love to hear about your experience!