Union pacific 4-8-8-4 Big boy will return home,rebuild and put under steam

[Lmackattack]

UPRR Press Release

Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4014

Railroad Plans to Restore One of the Largest Steam Locomotives Ever Built

Union Pacific plans to relocate No. 4014 to Cheyenne, Wyo., where Union Pacific's Heritage Fleet Operations team will work to restore it to operating condition. Details regarding those efforts will be made public at a later date.

Omaha, Neb., July 23, 2013 Union Pacific Railroad today announced it reached an agreement with the Southern California Chapter - Railway & Locomotive Historical Society in Pomona, Calif., to transfer ownership of one of the world's largest steam locomotives, Big Boy No. 4014, back to Union Pacific.

Union Pacific donated No. 4014 to the historical society December 7, 1961. The locomotive arrived January 8, 1962, at its current display location at the Rail Giants Train Museum in Pomona.

No other railroad has retained its historical equipment or honored its American roots like Union Pacific.

"Our steam locomotive program is a source of great pride to Union Pacific employees past and present," said Ed Dickens, senior manager - Union Pacific Heritage Operations. "We are very excited about the opportunity to bring history to life by restoring No. 4014."

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2007-2012, Union Pacific invested $18 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure, including a record $3.7 billion in 2012. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

[j hancock]

It will be one hell of a restoration project!

As a kid, I saw one of the Big Boys at Steamtown USA in Bellows Falls, VT. It is now in Steamtown in Scranton. PA.

Enormous!

Jim

[kscarbel]

Its rare to see this heavy iron rolling anymore. Just 15 years ago, ironically, you could find veteran American locomotives still at work in parts of China (and old British locomotives at work in India and other former colonial possessions). But much less now.

[paul roncetti]

Great, I wonder how many are left, 25 were built. I went to see the one in Scranton, PA at Steamtown. A shame, sitting outside going completely to hell. Why don't they at least build a roof over it if nothing else. They ran them during war in tandem heading west, single coming back. One single Big Boy could pull a freight train 5 1/2 miles long.

[paul roncetti]

Imagine 16 drivers, the front 8 articulating to take the curves, weighing in at 600 tons, with 50 tons of coal on board and 25000 gallons of water which gave them a range of 40 miles pulling a heavy load.

[JTFormula]

Crap that's a big loco! I appreciate company's who embrace where they came from and preserve their history.

[paul roncetti]

Anyone interested can type in Union Pacific Big Boy on U Tube where there is a lot of footage. Very impressive to see two in tandem pulling a freight train of just flat cars with two tanks on each, headed west in the winter with yard workers shoveling sand under the drivers to get the traction to get moving. Imagine, 1200 tons of locomotive with 32 drivers which I believe were around 5 feet in diameter trying to get the traction to start moving. American Locomotive works built them, if I remember right in New York state.

[paul roncetti]

I also think they were 136 feet long. They still run one for show cross country that has the 4-3-3-4 arrangement, the predecessor to the 4-8-8-4's. It pulls a passenger train of Union Pacific yellow cars. The Big Boys ran for 20 years from around 1941 to 1961, with the last run of running in tandem with a diesel electric in front, the ultimate insult.

[rsb502]

Well its a great time for railroad history, UP is the oinly railroad to never retire steam, keeping 844 on the roster since its purchase, and being the only US railroad to take such an interest in its rich history. Norfolk Southern has taken a much greater interest in its heritage of late with the release of the 20 Heritage locomotives painted in the exact heritage road paint schemes, a few were actually painted twice to get them perfect. I wish CSX would take an interest in its history, I and many other employees have asked but we get the run around and the bottom line from the chief operating officer is "it doesnt make our investors any money". Now with the return of 4014 to UP they can get her back in steam for generations to see, it will be a several year project but it will get done with the UP (Steve Lee) team involved, add to that the 611 restoration looming on the horizon ( I sent in my donation did you) for use on NS lines in their 21 century steam program and it is easy to see railfans have a lot to be happy about. I remember riding an excursion on NS rails behind the 611 when I was a kid and just as soon as it is back in steam Ill do it again, oh and I may actually make the trip out west to see the 4014 on its inaugural run, word has it UP will be using all three Steam locos 844,3985,4014 for an upcoming anniversary celebration, that would be a sight to see all three at one place running on the Main line. If you look on YouTube there is a video of 3985 pulling a 143 car intermodal train all by its lonesome, yes UP will make them work for their keep if its on the way. I think there will be many more videos of Steam pulling big freight once the 4014 gets rebuilt to its former glory. Paul as far as a 5.5 mile freight, they might get it rolling on flat ground but any hill would kill it, if you watch CSX trains if they are running light we may have three locos but only one will be online unless its in the mountains, they run most Coal trains here with three locos, and the light move back has only the lead loco running, loaded all three are needed. With 110 coal cars and three locos your around 6500' of train I think, not even a mile and a half, our longest intermodals come in around 9,000-10,000' and require three 4400hp AC locos to maintain track speed and intermodal is a light duty for railroads comparatively they dont weigh squat. 1 intermodal well car and two loaded containers weighs around 140,000- 160,000#, one loaded rapid discharge coal car weighs 286,000#, its crazy the tonnage ionvolved if you add it up, just figure three GE ES44AH locos at 532,000 ea, then 150 coal cars at 286,000 ea. it gets ridicarus.

[rsb502]

I also think they were 136 feet long. They still run one for show cross country that has the 4-3-3-4 arrangement, the predecessor to the 4-8-8-4's. It pulls a passenger train of Union Pacific yellow cars. The Big Boys ran for 20 years from around 1941 to 1961, with the last run of running in tandem with a diesel electric in front, the ultimate insult.

Yep awesome locos, the drivers on the big boys are 68", dont remember the loco weight but loco and tender was 1,250,000, not light by any means, the key to the big boy was the then amazing 135,000lb tractive effort to get the train rolling. The 4-3-3-4 you speak of was the Challenger type 4-6-6-4, they were built for fast freight and occasional passenger service and did a heck of a job, they were light enough to be used all over the UP system where the Big Boys were not. The challengers fell just short of the 100,000lb tractive effort mark but had the speed to make them useful in fast freight service where the Big Boys were more suited to climbing mountains with lots of tonnage. If you look at the locos of today its amazing how far they have come, 1 ES44AH makes 4400 hp from a V12 versus the older AC4400 and its V16 and over 186,000lb of tractive effort, they have high adhesion software and steerable trucks along with the ability of the locomotive to sense a wheel slip and ease power to one axle independantly which is why GE took the lead in the high tractive effort locomotive race from EMD. I cvould talk trains and trucks all night but I have to go work on a draw bridge in the morning so Ill type at ya later BMT.

[paul roncetti]

Hi 84superdog, I understand, wasn't it Sherman Hill that killed them out to the west coast? Anyone within reasonable driving range of Scranton, PA should at least go see #4012 before it rusts into the ground.

[paul roncetti]

The other thing 84superdog, I can't remember what I saw, but did the 2nd and 3rd driver wheels on each of the 4 x 4 arrangement on the Big Boys have no flanges to help take the curves? I knew they did that on a lot of the big east coast engines for the sharp curves out this way. I do have on my to do list, is set up my model train collection, LOL. I have 36 engines, American Flyer 3/16 scale which I think is the most realistic models ever built with the 2 track layout, not 3 like Lionel. These were built by A.C. Gilbert of New Haven, CT.

[220cummins]

Big boys always remind me of the 2-6-6-4 of the fallen flag literally in my back yard....

http://www.thepwvhiline.com/PWVsGoldenAgeofSteam/PVW1102_Web.html

Sorry I'm posting from my iPad and can't figure out how to upload pics.

[39 Baby Mack]

Way to go Uncle Pete

Ron

[farmer52]

Thanks for the info. Steam power has always intrigued me...locos, tractors, and stationary.

I don't mean to hijack this thread but the Altoona Railroaders Museum is restoring a PRR loco K-45 #1361 that was manufactured at the Juniata (pronounted as june...iata) Shops. The loco used to sit at the Horseshoe Curve. Restoration is to be completed this year (been delayed many times). I can't wait to see and hear it in operation.

If anyone is in the Altoona area, plan to visit the museum and Horseshoe Curve.

http://www.railroadcity.com/

[rsb502]

Paul all the drivers are flanged, I have a ton of HO scale trains but I've almost lost interest since I work for the railroad.

[Freightrain]

Nothing better then a "Big Boy". Very cool stuff. I can't image the money it is going to take to get just one back into service?

[hatcity]

Well its a great time for railroad history, UP is the oinly railroad to never retire steam, keeping 844 on the roster since its purchase, and being the only US railroad to take such an interest in its rich history. Norfolk Southern has taken a much greater interest in its heritage of late with the release of the 20 Heritage locomotives painted in the exact heritage road paint schemes, a few were actually painted twice to get them perfect. I wish CSX would take an interest in its history, I and many other employees have asked but we get the run around and the bottom line from the chief operating officer is "it doesnt make our investors any money". Now with the return of 4014 to UP they can get her back in steam for generations to see, it will be a several year project but it will get done with the UP (Steve Lee) team involved, add to that the 611 restoration looming on the horizon ( I sent in my donation did you) for use on NS lines in their 21 century steam program and it is easy to see railfans have a lot to be happy about. I remember riding an excursion on NS rails behind the 611 when I was a kid and just as soon as it is back in steam Ill do it again, oh and I may actually make the trip out west to see the 4014 on its inaugural run, word has it UP will be using all three Steam locos 844,3985,4014 for an upcoming anniversary celebration, that would be a sight to see all three at one place running on the Main line. If you look on YouTube there is a video of 3985 pulling a 143 car intermodal train all by its lonesome, yes UP will make them work for their keep if its on the way. I think there will be many more videos of Steam pulling big freight once the 4014 gets rebuilt to its former glory. Paul as far as a 5.5 mile freight, they might get it rolling on flat ground but any hill would kill it, if you watch CSX trains if they are running light we may have three locos but only one will be online unless its in the mountains, they run most Coal trains here with three locos, and the light move back has only the lead loco running, loaded all three are needed. With 110 coal cars and three locos your around 6500' of train I think, not even a mile and a half, our longest intermodals come in around 9,000-10,000' and require three 4400hp AC locos to maintain track speed and intermodal is a light duty for railroads comparatively they dont weigh squat. 1 intermodal well car and two loaded containers weighs around 140,000- 160,000#, one loaded rapid discharge coal car weighs 286,000#, its crazy the tonnage ionvolved if you add it up, just figure three GE ES44AH locos at 532,000 ea, then 150 coal cars at 286,000 ea. it gets ridicarus.

Their history is at the Port of Tampa right now

[paul roncetti]

Hi 84superdog, I can understand lost interest, people wonder why I don't make "stuff" in my spare time in my machine shop. Didn't those Big Boys cost around 250K when they were built? Paul

[slpwlker]

This is going to be one hell of a taking. I do plan on taking a steam train ride in the future

[BOB DINGSDALE]

a dream come true for all us steam buffs

[staxx]

They had one on display at a park in Cheyenne Wyoming , got picks of it somewhere .

[Freightrain]

We have a group in Cleveland that is restoring a steam engine that used to run on the Cuyahoga valley line excursion. Midwest railway preservation society? They have a website and I have been to their round house. They are in cahoots with CSX.

[2stacksuperdog]

The CT Valley Railroad a.k.a Essex steam train runs 3 restored engines 2 being pre-1940s and their most recent a 1989 Chinese built engine which burned in a arson fire at the Know and Kane railroad. They bought it and rebuilt it to New Haven Railroad specs. this is it when they first finished it

[220cummins]

Thanks for the info. Steam power has always intrigued me...locos, tractors, and stationary.

I don't mean to hijack this thread but the Altoona Railroaders Museum is restoring a PRR loco K-45 #1361 that was manufactured at the Juniata (pronounted as june...iata) Shops. The loco used to sit at the Horseshoe Curve. Restoration is to be completed this year (been delayed many times). I can't wait to see and hear it in operation.

If anyone is in the Altoona area, plan to visit the museum and Horseshoe Curve.

http://www.railroadcity.com/

The funny thing is the first time I heard my daughter's heart beat at the doctors the first thing that popped into my was the sound of the Pennsylvania K4's lol in fact as soon as we got in the truck to leave a played a sound bit from YouTube for my other half so she would understand where I was coming from!