Steam & Excursion > The Gathering Clouds Spell Change For This Giant Of The Rails!

As the 1950's began to draw to an end this ran the curtain down on the Union Pacific's use of their fabled Big Boy steam locomotives. In the last years of the decade their call to duty became more infrequent with few and fewer of this 25-engine fleet being called up for service.

When UP #4016 rolled through Laramie, Wyoming on August 26, 1957 as we see here, the days were numbered for this 4-8-8-4 and the rest of the fleet of Big Boys. In fact, #4016 would not run at all in 1959, the last year of Big Boy operation.

After they were parked at the end of 1959, the scrapping of the Big Boys did not take place quickly. The engines were all in generally good repair and were less than 20 years old. However the end did come for all but 8 lucky ones held for public display.

As for #4016, she lasted until March 9, 1962 when she succumbed to the scrappers torch.

Martin



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 11/13/17 03:04 by LoggerHogger.

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Very nice photo. Thanks for sharing.

How can you call a "Big Boy" a "she"?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/13/17 07:32 by whistlepig.

Maybe it's "Trainsgender"

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA

whistlepig Wrote:
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> How can you call a "Big Boy" a "she"?

First of all the UP men & women did NOT call them "Big Boy" anyway! They were the 4000s.

Second, all steam locomotives were, and still are, referred to as "she", because, just like a woman, if you don't treat them right, "she" will make your life miserable!

MojaveBill Wrote:
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> Maybe it's "Trainsgender"

Thanks for giving me a nice smile for the day . . very creative!

Craig
mcmrailvideos.com

Great one, Mojave Bill!! I must admit the first time I read it I missed the "i" which of course made the whole thing. I'm still laughing.

I have an evil mind!! Thanks!

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA