Big Boy #4014 – Touring The UP System
Union Pacific’s Big Boy 4014 is quickly becoming the most photographed locomotive in history!
No matter where or when, as long as there is fire in the box and steam in the boiler, Union Pacific’s Big Boy will be the subject of many railfans and photographers.
During World War II, since metal and fuel was in short supply, the Big Boy class locomotive was conceived to eliminate the need to double head up the Wasatch Mountains. UP originally ordered 20 class 4000 engines in 1941 and then 5 more in 1944 at $265,174 per engine. Adjusted for inflation, it is estimated that this would have totaled a whopping $107,620,056 or more in today’s dollars, each engine individually running $4,304,802!
Quick Facts about UP Big Boy 4014
- Rail Line: Union Pacific
- Driver diameters:-68 inches
- Power type: 4-8-8-4 Steam Locomotive Class 4000
- Builder: American Locomotive Company 1941
- Coal Consumption: 22,000 lbs per hour (converted to oil)
- Locomotive and tender weight: 1,250,000 lbs
- Max Speed: 80 MPH !
Let us know if you have seen these two locomotives in person. We would love to hear about your experience!
