Steam & Excursion > With Any Luck, We May Soon See A Steam Scene Like This One Again!

No one can underestimate today's anticipation that surrounds the restoration to operation of Big Boy #4014 by the Union Pacific shop crews in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  The legendary status of this fleet of 25 monstrous steam locomotives is second to none which certainly explains why such attention is being paid to the rebuilding one of these huge 4-8-8-4 locomotives.  However, these engines were not always so famous.

When the first Big Boy was out shopped by ALCO in 1941, few outside of the inner circle at UP or ALCO knew anything about the giants of the rail.  Publicity of the design and building of this 4000 Class of engine had not been widespread.  However, that was all about to change when the first of these huge engines, UP #4000 left the factory and started her journey West to be delivered.

Views like this one were repeated many times as people began to see the first Big Boy in person on it's delivery move out West.  On September 3, 1941 #4000 stopped at New York Central's Collinwood Shops where one of NYC's machinists had this portrait taken of him as he inspected this newest example of steam motive power.  She is complete mechanically, except for the fact that her pistons have been removed for cross-country trip. 

As #4000 moved West the news of her construction and immense size spread along with her.  Over the next few years as more of these giants joined the UP roster the fame of the 4000 Class engine would grow year after year. 

It's safe to say that today's enormous interest in these magnificent machines all started with that first delivery move of the first Big Boy that we see here.

Martin



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 01/08/19 02:58 by LoggerHogger.

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What railroads were involved in the delivery from Alco in addition to the New York Central? Would the C&NW or Milwaukee Road have been involved in the move?

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

It appears that the valves are missing as well.  It makes sense that they would remove them along with the pistons for the trip.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

When I said her "pistons were removed" I was refering all her pistons, both drive pistons and piston valves.

Martin

Great minds think alike?

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the cost of one of those was?

No white walls...

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