The former UP No. 4014, an SD70M, departs Yermo, Calif., in April 2014 with Big Boy No. 4014 in tow. Behind the steam locomotive is appropriately numbered SD70M No. 4884.
Brian Schmidt
OMAHA, Neb. – With the pending return of 4-8-8-4 Big Boy No. 4014 to the roster in early May, many observers seemed to forget about its diesel counterpart, SD70M No. 4014 that helped bring the Big Boy east to Cheyenne for restoration in 2014.
A source close to the railroad tells Trains News Wire that crews renumbered diesel No. 4014 to No. UP 4479 on April 10, one day before Big Boy dropped the “UPP” reporting mark to become the only No. 4014 on the railroad’s diverse roster.
Diesel No. 4014 was built at EMD’s now-closed London, Ontario, plant, delivered in June of 2000, part of the railroad’s historic order for more than 1,000 SD70Ms.
What happened to the original 4479, SD70M? I have seen it twice on the rails, in North Platte and down in Texas.
James, nah. there’s already a 4449 that used to be part of what’s now Union Pacific. (the Southern Pacific Northern in Daylight colors 4449)
Kevin, 4014 will be around long after the former 4014 (now 4479) has been put in a museum or most likely scrapped. Just like 844 is still in the Heritage fleet while the locomotive that took her number is now retired and in someone else’s museum.
I’m sorry but it’s the resto-mod oil burning engine that should have it’s number changed, not the diesel.
It’s bad enough that this symbol of steam power has been so molested by oil conversion. It has been the tradition to change the engine number when undergoing such a modification. Anything less is deceptive and dishonest.
Should have painted her in a Central Pacific heritage scheme
James Maurer,
Union Pacific already has 2 locomotives that were those numbers UP 4449 is another identical SD70M, and UP 8444 is an SD70ACe that debuted with all 6 of U.P.’s Heritage Units back in 2007.
Also UP 8444 (SD70ACe) has even been behind steam engine #844 on an excursion before.
They should have renumbered it to 4449! Or even 8444!