‘Big Boy’ is going back on tour in US
THE world's largest operational steam locomotive, Union Pacific's articulated 4-8-8-4 ‘Big Boy' No. 4014, is to head its second nationwide tour since it returned to steam.
In May 2019, No. 4014 made its first excursion run amid the celebrations marking 150 years since the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, following its official relaunch at the Cheyenne Depot Museum in Wyoming.
Its long-running restoration took place at Union Pacific's steam shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, following a retirement that spanned six decades.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, UP cancelled all of its 2020 steam excursions and stated that Nos. 4014 and Alco ‘Living Legend' 4-8-4 No. 844 would not operate for the 2020 season.
No. 4014 will leave the Steam Shop in Cheyenne on August 5, making brief whistle-stops in communities across Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.
It will be on display in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 14, New Orleans on August 21, St Louis, Missouri on August 29 and Denver, Colorado, on September 6, after which it will return to Cheyenne. A complete list of overnight and whistle-stops can be found at http://upsteam.com
UP's senior vice president, corporate relations and chief administrative officer, Scott Moore, said: “Weighing in at 1.2 million pounds, the ‘Big Boy' makes a big impression in communities it visits, reminding us of bygone days and the important role the railroad continues to play in our global economy.
“It will be back to tour through 10 of the states and hundreds of the communities Union Pacific serves.”
The first of 25 ‘Big Boys' built exclusively for UP was delivered in 1941 to handle the steep terrain between Cheyenne and Ogden. Of the eight still in existence, No. 4014 is the only operational one. The other seven are displayed in Cheyenne; Denver; Frisco, Texas; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska; Scranton, Pennsylvania; and St. Louis, Missouri.
On its new, tour No. 4014 will be accompanied by The Experience The Union Pacific Rail Car, a multi-media walk-through exhibition telling the story of modern-day railroading.
A steam tracking map showing the locomotive's location and route will be available, also at the website http://upsteam.com