UP Big Boy 4014 helps a stalled freight train in Blair Ne.

a freight train had stalled trying to make the grade going west thru Blair Ne. The 4014 was on its way home from the college world series in Omaha and was at the right time and place to help the freight train get over the hill.

[Froggyman]

Fun fact: Big Boy's pullage rating went up several times over their lifespans not *only because they were being improved, but because the company kept realizing that the engines were a lot more powerful that they thought

[diamondcreepah]

Probably one of the best moments in modern rail history. An old titan showing she still has more power than anybody else

[daemn]

Fun factoid. A traditional car has a 4 stroke engine. Each cylinder only generates power 1 stroke out of 4, which is why they generally have at least 4 cylinders. .
There exist 2 stroke engines which generate power 1 out of every 2 strokes.
UP4014 Big Boy has 1 stroke pistons. As the piston moves within its cylinder, it generates power in both directions as steam is alternately introduced at both ends of the cylinder, and it has 2 cylinders per set of 4 drive wheels (90 degrees out of phase so at least one will always be able to push even at a dead stop), for 4 cylinders total.

[randallreed]

An amazing piece of human engineering. Gives me chills.

[thatguy.mp]

"Hey grandpa, we know you're retired, but can you help us lift this real quick?"
"Yes"

[davidvanderhart]

When you see the train crew videoing their own train, you know it's about to be awesome.

[rabidbigdog]

The restoration job on 4014 is just stunning. Well done all.

[redtowlie]

Fun fact. The last time a bigboy pulled/pushed freight was back in 1959. This was the first time in 64 years a bigboy did this! fantastic!

[juans]

I am 77 years old and remember watching these beautiful beasts. We lived three houses from the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks. My beloved Father, R.I.P. worked 38 for Southern Pacific til he retired.

[GailMarie]

For years, my husband and I visited 4014 at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds and had a chance to climb up into the cab. Never happier than when the "Big Boy" returned to the main line. Thank you, Union Pacific!

[Mythocentric]

During the 1960's in the UK, during the changeover from steam to diesel (1968-onwards) we frequently saw steam locos coming to the resue of ailing 1st generation diesel units. It's amazing to see it all happening again after 55 years, especially with that gorgeous machine proving its worth!

[Lazy.Train.videos]

Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941. The locomotives were 132 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds. Because of their great length, the frames of the Big Boys were "hinged, " or articulated, to allow them to negotiate curves. They had a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, which meant they had four wheels on the leading set of "pilot" wheels which guided the engine, eight drivers, another set of eight drivers, and four wheels following which supported the rear of the locomotive. The massive engines normally operated between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyo.

There are seven Big Boys on public display in various cities around the country. They can be found in St. Louis, Missouri; Dallas, Texas; Omaha, Nebraska; Denver, Colorado; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in December 1941. The locomotive was retired in December 1961, having traveled 1, 031, 205 miles in its 20 years in service. Union Pacific reacquired No. 4014 from the RailGiants Museum in Pomona, California, in 2013, and relocated it back to Cheyenne to begin a multi-year restoration process. It returned to service in May 2019 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad's Completion.

Vital Statistics

Tender Type: 14-wheeled
Water Capacity: 25, 000 gallons
Fuel: Coal**
56, 000 lbs.
Gauge of Track: 4 ft. 8-1/2 in.
Cylinder: Diameter: 23 3/4 in.
Stroke: 32 in.
Driving Wheel Diameter: 68 in.
Boiler: Outside Diameter: 106 9/16 in.
Pressure: 300 lbs.
Fire Box: Length: 235 1/32 in.
Width: 96 3/16 in.
Tubes: 2-1/4 in. Diameter: 75 x 22 ft. 0 in.
4 in. Diameter: 184
Wheel Base: Driving: 47 ft. 3 in.
Engine: 72 ft. 5 1/2 in.
Engine & Tender: 132 ft. 9 7/8 in.
Weight in Working Order,
Pounds: Leading: 97, 000
Driving: 540, 000
Trailing: 125, 000
Engine: 762, 000
Tender: 427, 500
Evaporating Surfaces,
Square Feet: Tubes: 967
Flues: 4, 218
Fire Box: 593
Circulators: 111
Total: 5, 889
Superheating Surface,
Square Feet: 2, 466
Grate Area: 150
Maximum Tractive Power: 135, 375 lbs.
Factor of Adhesion: 4.00
**Original configuration. Now converted to No. 5 Oil

[billbeverly]

I bet the crew of the 4014 was loving this, this is what they live for

[willmardis]

Don’t you know? Big Boy had a BIG smile on his face! “This is what I was built to do!”

[skunkwerx]

The condition they keep these beasts in is immaculate.

[bunkstagner]

I was privileged to see 4014 when it was in Texas. Words cannot express the sound and size of this beautiful piece of machinery.

[jenniferbaldini]

Im a 55 year old woman who doesnt know the 1st thing about trains, and I thought that was freakin AWSOME!!!!

[MarrowofStar]

That engine was PUSHING a whole train and its load, while PULLING one of its own! WOW that machine is powerful, and to think that its powered by STEAM. thats soooo cool

[THEDonnyB]

Big Boy did have a diesel helper behind him, but the fact that they were able to PULL AND PUSH those long trains just speaks to how powerful it is.

[mike-wec]

Very cool. Glad you recorded all of it. I remember crawling all over this engine at the Pomona Fair Grounds, in SoCal as a teen when it was on display in the open air museum. Glad it was restored and made operational.