‘BIG BOY’ HEAVY-DUTY WORK NEARS COMPLETION WITH BOILER TEST
Union Pacific’s under-restoration ‘Big Boy’ No. 4014 has taken a significant step closer to returning to steam, with a successful hydraulic boiler test on February 5.
The giant 4-8-8-4’s boiler was pressure-tested at UP’s steam workshop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to 375lb/sq. in – 25% more than the Mallet’s Maximum Allowable Working Pressure of 300lb/sq. in. The test followed the refitting of the ‘Big Boy’s’ articulated front engine unit in January.
Head of UP’s Steam Team, Ed Dickens, said: “The last time Union Pacific had an articulated locomotive disassembled for this level of repair was in the 1950s.
“We hoisted the boiler and rear engine up, and connected the two back together. We then lowered it down, incrementally, until all the heavy components fitted together. It was an exciting moment. We just looked at it and posed for a photo before getting back to work. We’re making very rapid progress, and it’s another milestone checked off the list.”
Mr Dickens added: “We have a lot of work ahead of us, but most of the heavy-duty work is done. It’s just a matter of meticulous welding, and a lot of little things left to do.”
Although No. 4014 has yet to undergo its steam tests, the ‘Big Boy’ is on track to attend the ‘Spike 150’ celebrations in Utah in May, where it will appear alongside UP stablemate ‘FEF-3’ 4-8-4 No. 844 and replicas of both Central Pacific Railroad No. 60 Jupiter, and Union Pacific’s No. 119 – the locomotives which famously attended the completion of the Trans-Continental Railroad.
The latter pair will be central to the festivities taking place on May 9-12 at Promontory Summit, close to where the original golden spike was driven on May 10 1869, marking the railroad’s completion. Meanwhile, Nos. 4014 and 844 will be displayed at nearby Ogden Union Station on May 9-11.
‘Spike 150’ Co-chairman Doug Foxley says: “We are planning to throw the biggest and best party. We want people from all around Utah, across the United States and around the world to participate in the activities we have planned.
“‘Spike 150’ is a way to keep the spirit of the railroad alive. This event showed the world that remarkable things are possible with vision, hard work, dedication, innovation, and collaboration.”
For a full list of events, visit: www.spike150.org