SALT LAKE CITY — Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 began its return to its home base of Cheyenne, Wyo., today, but not before the recently resurrected 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive put on a show along the famed Wasatch grade between Evanston, Wyo., and Ogden, Utah.
On May 8, with temperatures hovering just above freezing, Big Boy descended the grade on its way to ceremonies marking the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad, spewing clouds of steam and exhaust before reaching the warmer and drier Ogden.
Today, four days later, Big Boy and 4-8-4 No. 844 returned to the grade, this time going uphill, and charging the whole way under blue skies in considerably warmer temperatures.
Trains videographers captured Big Boy at Curvo and Echo Canyon on May 8 and departing Ogden on May 12, near Morgan, Utah, and lastly at Wahsatch, Utah.
The Big Boy’s journey continues today with the train going from Evanston to Rock Springs, Wyo.
I went to the Los Angeles county fair in Pomona about 1967 or 1968 and had the opportunity to see 4014 up close. I never would have dreamed that it would ever be in steam again. My hope is that the UP will set up a system wide tour including Fort Worth, Texas. We’ve had 844 and 3985 here in the past. Now it’s time to tour 4014.
Trains Mag. etc did a great job, start too finish.. Out of Fairgrounds to shops and rebuild..
BIG THANKS FROM ME, AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE…PLUSS THE UNION PACIFIC !
Thank you TRAINS magazine for all of the very fine coverage of 4014 and 844. The videos, especially this one, prove that the years-long wait and anticipation were worth it!
Thanks for the short video.
Does the train need a diesel helper?
Do
Thanks for the “live reports” along the way. Sometimes transmission went down (not your fault) BUT being able to ask questions along the way and waiting for “BB” to come blasting by was very entertaining…..
It is such a great video of Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 rolling on its home rails once again. I have seen one of the Big Boys and that was in Scranton, PA at the Steamtown National Historic Site when I have gone there. This locomotive is back in steam and it goes to show that Union Pacific knows how to put on a show.
Why do I keep having to log into my account every 3 days when I have a years subscription and have had one for years?
Why does a huge Trains logo cover the video?
UP added a couple of dome cars to the consist for the eastbound trip.
@Fred Renspies
Cookies my friend, internet Cookies…you’res are getting cleared out, probably when you close your browser and shut down your computer or some other reason, which logs you off and makes you log in again.
@Rolland Graham
Did you ever consider that the UP gave permission for the railfan group in the chartered bus the okay to cross over the tracks and set up their photo line between the fence line and tracks?
What your video fails to document arethe egregious safety violations by both an organized group of railfans traveling by charter bus, as well as well over 100 onlookers, many with small children who were spread out on both Main 1 and Main 2 at Echo. The fan group climbed across the main tracks and set up a photo line on UP property between the fence line and tracks, — inexcusable for those who should know better about trespassing. As for the general public, they seemed oblivious to the dangers of being on an active mainline. Many, including small children were sitting (!) or playing on the tracks; others were standing on the tracks on the bridge over the access road. As the train approached, several of us shouted warning to those on the bridge who were standing on Main 2 which was the eastbound main used by X4014. In reply we received obscenities. As X4014 came around the curve, the engineer could see dozens on people, including small children, on the track ahead. Scary. I should emphasize that these folks weren’t standing next to the track, they were standing ON the track. Local police were uninterested with those standing on UP property; two calls we made to the UP hotline were politely received, but no UP response was seen. Especially many parents were allowing their children to play on the tracks (and who, themselves, were standing or sitting on the tracks) creating a “disneyland” atmosphere and one where the dangers inherent in railroads were blissfully ignored. It would be hard to find a more compelling reason for “operation lifesaver” education programs for the community. Thankfully UP (by planning or coincidence) did not have any westbound traffic in the area during the 2 hours or so prior to arrival of X4014. And as X4014 came into view, onlookers on Main 2 scattered (some standing on Main 1) as the train passed.
With X4014 passed, the railfan group again climbed across the main tracks, boarded their charter bus and headed east following the train, apparently unconcerned of their trespassing on the railroad property.