Big Boy Back In The Day!

Big Boy Back In The Day! | Train Fanatics Videos

Big Boy – 772,000 pounds of power!

The Big Boy locomotives roamed Wyoming countryside helping deliver vital freight and materials needed for World War II.

Over 25 Union Pacific “Big Boys” were built by the American Locomotive Works between 1941 and 1944. All were articulated locomotives with a separate truck on the front end that pivoted the curves allowing the super long boiler to actually go straight while the locomotive frame was following the curve on the tracks.

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!

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