Western Railroad Discussion > To Big Boy and Back on June 1

Finally getting around to the photos I took on my trip to see UP 4014 traveling through central Iowa on June 1.

1) I started the day with the eastbound California Zephyr running on time as it passed the Cargill Spur on the BNSF Ottumwa Sub south of Eddyville, Iowa.  Pulling Amtrak #6 were AMTK 82 in Phase VII paint and AMTK 4, Amtrak's oldest operating Genesis engine.

2) The one car on the Zephyr that was in Phase VII was the George M. Pullman sleeping car.

3) Oddly enough, there was also an extra baggage car on the end of #6.

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After leaving the BNSF main, it was nearly a straight shot north to Montour, or rather an overpass just west of Montour I found looking at online maps and videos.  While it turned that the bridge had been closed to vehicle traffic for some time, there was already a small group of people waiting on the bridge.

4) First look at the Big Boy as it came around the bend.

5) UP 4014 just before it went under the old bridge.

6) Video of the whole train going under the bridge. 

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Leap-frogging the special's scheduled stop at Tama, I next met it at Chelsea.

7) One shot with 4014 and the grain elevator.

8) And one shot with 4014 and city hall on the far side of the tracks.

9) Going-away shot of the 4014.

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At this point, I tried to get shots of each car in the special's consist.

10) UPP 809 Jim Adams auxiliary water tender

11) UPP 814 Joe Jordan auxiliary water tender

12) UP 1776 EMD SD70M semiquincentennial unit 

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13) UPP 6334 Art Lockman tool car

14) UPP 209 Howard Fogg power car

15) UPP 5714 Lynn Nystrom baggage car

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16) UPP 202 Willie James crew car

17) UPP 2055

18) UPP 5817 Pony Express

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19) UPP 7015 Challenger dome car

20) UPP 5752 Promontory display car

21) UPP 200 Omaha sleeping car

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22) UPP 5011 City of Denver dining car

23) UPP 9005 Walter Dean dome lounge

24) UPP 101 Lincoln observation car

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Belle Plaine was the last spot I'd see the Big Boy.  Since I knew it would reach its scheduled stop there before I would, I aimed to work in the crowd as the train made its departure.

25) The Big Boy coming by the caboose that's on display.

26) Young and old and those in between watching.

27) One last shot with the end of the train.

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The steam locomotive was gone, but there was still a lot to see. 

28) A clear shot of the Chicago & North Western caboose after the crowd cleared.

29) CNW 10347 with the former C&NW depot in the background.

30) The other side of the caboose.  Classic car fans might like what was driving by.

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31) There was a restaurant that was serving food out their back door to the crowd waiting trackside.  This was my first plan for lunch, but they had hold sold out when I got there.

32) Another look at the old depot.

33) After waiting in line at another nearby restaurant, UP 7757 West came by before I could open my lunch.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/26 21:13 by Agent.

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34) Heavy ACe UP 8920 second out on the mixed freight.

35) SD70M UP 4506.

36) In comparison the 4014, I feel like I've seen opposite ends of the spectrum for how well-kept UP locomotives are kept in.
 

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37) Three flatcars loaded with John Deer tractors.

38-39) Looks like a flatcar for wind turbine parts. I'm not used to seeing these on their own.

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While the westbound mixed freight was passing, an eastbound ethanol train came by on the far track.

40) UP 2720 leading.  At least it wasn't a taller freight car.

41) The top half of UP 9817 seen over a Missouri Pacific gondola.

42) Hopper car MP 582921. I felt like I had to grab a shot of a car with a Mo Pac eagle logo.  I don't get a lot of chances at that.

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After finishing lunch, a westbound intermodal came through.

43) UP 8124 is the first of four on the front.

44) UP 5653 is in new paint, as well the next two units.

45) UP 6953 looks like a former AC6000CW if I'm not mistaken.

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46) And UP 6924 looks like another rebuilt AC6000.

47) UP 6261 is the first of two mid-train DPUs on this intermodal.

48) SD70M UP 4841 is the other DPU.

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49) The DPU duo going away.

50) Some radio chatter indicated the intermodal had a meet just west of Belle Plaine, and soon the UP 7662 East was leading a autorack train through the town.

51) The vehicle train had a Norfolk Southern engine trailing, which felt a reminder of the other reason the Big Boy was heading east.

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52) AC44C6M NS 4168.

53-54) UP 8109 in new paint working as the DPU.

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56) One last shot to include the depot before leaving.

57) The last train of the day was in the evening as westbound California Zephyr came into Agency, Iowa led by the Operation Lifesaver anniversary unit AMTK 203.  Seeing some things that have happened trackside, more online than on this day, brought to mind the thought that a Union Pacific OLS unit wouldn't be a bad fit behind a future steam excursion, if there is one.  Plus UP already has the yellow paint.

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Neat series! Looks like it was an enjoyable day:}