Big Boy No. 4014 in the Cheyenne, Wyo., steam shop in March 2017.
Trains: Jim Wrinn
DENVER – Union Pacific’s restoration of Big Boy No. 4014 enters yet another phase in coming days as the steam shop crew in Cheyenne, Wyo., plans to lift the boiler and roll out the 4-8-8-4’s trailing truck for inspection and repairs, UP steam chief Ed Dickens told an audience Saturday at the train show here.
With work on the front engine largely done, the steam crew is turning its attention to the rear half of the locomotive, Dickens, senior manager of heritage operations, said during his annual presentation at the Rocky Mountain Train Show.The lift will be Sunday or Monday.
The aim is not just to get the locomotive running in 2019 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike, but to do the highest quality restoration possible, manufacturing new parts in many cases instead of restoring old parts that could fail on the road.
Piping under the boiler that is inaccessible when the engine is complete is being replaced, he said.
To make its 2019 target, the shop has also outsourced work, turning to Pennsylvania’s Strasburg Rail Road for driver tire and pin work and minor use of a shop in Denver.
There’s also been work on the highly visible front end with work on the pilot and air pump shields.
UP began its quest to restore No. 4014 in 2013 when the railroad reached an agreement with Rail Giants Museum in Los Angeles to retrieve the locomotive. No. 4014 is one of eight preserved Big Boys from a fleet of 25 that operated primarily in Wyoming and Utah between 1941 and 1959. When restored, No. 4014 will be the first of her kind to turn a wheel under her own power in 60 years and the largest operating steam locomotive in the world.
With work on the front engine largely done, the steam crew is turning its attention to the rear half of the locomotive, Dickens, senior manager of heritage operations, said during his annual presentation at the Rocky Mountain Train Show.The lift will be Sunday or Monday.
The aim is not just to get the locomotive running in 2019 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike, but to do the highest quality restoration possible, manufacturing new parts in many cases instead of restoring old parts that could fail on the road.
Piping under the boiler that is inaccessible when the engine is complete is being replaced, he said.
To make its 2019 target, the shop has also outsourced work, turning to Pennsylvania’s Strasburg Rail Road for driver tire and pin work and minor use of a shop in Denver.
There’s also been work on the highly visible front end with work on the pilot and air pump shields.
UP began its quest to restore No. 4014 in 2013 when the railroad reached an agreement with Rail Giants Museum in Los Angeles to retrieve the locomotive. No. 4014 is one of eight preserved Big Boys from a fleet of 25 that operated primarily in Wyoming and Utah between 1941 and 1959. When restored, No. 4014 will be the first of her kind to turn a wheel under her own power in 60 years and the largest operating steam locomotive in the world.
This story updated at 8:48 a.m. March 4 to clarify the use of contract work.
I doubt that it will come east. I do not believe that the Union Pacific takes their steam engines off their own rails. It will be time for another trip west. Can’t wait.
I hope it makes a tour swing through the Minneapolis and St.Paul area. I don’t have the money to take a trip to see it.
I wonder if UP could be convinced to take on SP 4294 (cab forward) for restoration….
Fire up the crane Ed and get the blocks out it is time for BIG BOY to have the rear wheels turned.
Glad to see that things are moving forward.
Living in U.P.’s back yard has been a treat these past few years, going back to riding behind 8444 in the 1960s. This appears to be a railroad that treasures its history and Public Relations. When 4014 was moved from California to Cheyenne, and covered by TRAINS magazine’s Jim Wrinn, I was glued to my internet connection for untold hours watching the coverage. How could we not be impressed with what U.P. was committed to? I am looking forward to seeing my first run-by of a Big Boy in person!
Let’s see Uncle Pete kept a Centennial running to have the planet’s largest diesel on the planet, now 4014 to have the largest steam locomotive running on the planet. Too bad they let the turbines get away and who knows what if they had trains running under wire. Who’s everybody’s favorite railroad again? And how many railroads around in 1918 are still running under the same flag?
Thanks for the update!
As progress report on the restoration of UP’s big boy 4014 likely was on schedule to appear in time for the 150th anniversary of the golden spike while keeping the restoration intact as so far crews have tackled the smoke box and boiler of the locomotive as crews plan on tackling the fire box and the rear half of the locomotive.
I wish my father could’ve lived long enough to see this happen. Hopefully, I will…
Plans are for the UP 4014 to visit the 2019 College World Series at Omaha in
June and be on-display on Home Plate track
directly across the street from T.D. Ameritrade Ball Park during the two-week event.
Amazing job, UP. Can’t wait to see this thing roll.
awesome!!!!!!