A: A combination of factors made Big Boy No. 4014 the candidate to be restored. Perhaps the most important factor was the dry climate of Southern California, which preserved 4014’s boiler better than other Big Boy locomotives. Most of the Big Boy’s critical parts, from the air-brake system to injector nozzles was largely in-tact. Other Big Boys had their parts taken for other locomotives. Lastly, volunteers at the Rail Giants museum on the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds maintained No. 4014 to the best of their ability by painting the locomotive and even lubricating specific parts — preserving those joints and connections from any damage. The story is available in “Yes, They Could Handle It” in the Big Boy Back in Steam special issue. — Trains staff
Of the fleet of at least two dozen big boys when 4014 was chosen to be restored to operating condition as a number of factors relating to the decision was the weather in southern California to Nevada preserved 4014’s boiler as most of the parts relating to operation was largely intact when parts of other big boys were cannibalized to keep other locomotives out of the locomotive shops.