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The Union Pacific's "Big Boy 4014" locomotive made a Photo Stop in DeSoto, Missouri today and my Wife and I went to check it out. If you're not familiar with the "Big Boy" Class of locomotives, they were the largest locomotives ever built and this is the last one that's still operational. It is currently on a tour of the Midwest. What an awesome sight, even more impressive than I ever imagined. I'm really glad I took the time to check it out! Enjoy!
Awsome! I read in our local newspaper today that it will be in our neighborhood in October. I am hoping to be able to see it myself then. I noticed the 4-8-8-4 designation on the side of the engine which is the number of wheels on each truck for a total of 24 on the engine alone not counting the tender behind it. What a massive piece of early 20th century power!
I’m not a train enthusiast, but I do appreciate the nostalgia and engineering behind them.
Im pretty sure there is one of those locomotives in the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan. If it is in fact the same model, it’s enormous. I bet it would really be impressive to see it in action.
I grew up in Minnesota and I saw these engines on the Duluth, Missabe, and Iron Range Railroad hauling ore to the docks in Duluth and Two Harbors (one of the seven non-working Big Boys is on display in Two Harbors).
My family went on twice-yearly trips by car. On one of those I got my dad to race his 1953 Buick ahead of a Big Boy hauling freight across Arizona. I was about 11 and stood at a grade crossing to get a picture when it filled the view-finder. The noise shook me when it passed; it was an incredible experience. I still get goosebumps visualizing it. What a thrill for a future Mechanical Engineer.
How cool!! I would love to see it. The old 1225 (was the model for the Christmas movie- cant remember the name) is home based in Owosso Mi. Yes they are very amazing and awesome in operation. The cost of restoring and then meeting safety inspection requirements are big, But no wonder why. A huge 120 year old steam boiler that close to all those spectators!
Here's a video of Big Boy's arrival in Deming, New Mexico on the morning of October 20, 2019. I took this video, and it's about 5 minutes long. You can see and hear the engine in all its glory as it slows to a stop amidst a crowd of people.
That's a local high school band playing in the background.
I saw 4014 in Pacific, Mo. last year. What a sight! Sensory overload much like a top fuel dragster only HUGE!
rgs455 - Thanks for checking out the pics! Glad you've had the opportunity to see it before.
I see you're in Oakville. If you're free next Sunday the 22nd, you ought to try and make it to our All Oldsmobile Show in Arnold. There's a post with all the info in "The Clubhouse". If you have any questions please PM me.
Chris I'm envious. Maybe next year I'll pick a good spot on the tour and fly out just to see it. If it wanted to come further east that would be okay also!
In the video I posted, there's something I've always wondered about. If you care to, scroll up to about the 4:03 point. This is after the train has stopped. Right about 4:05, somebody on the ground tosses something up to a man in the cab of the engine. It happens very quickly, and you'll miss it if you're not watching closely. It's something small but reasonably heavy, like a set of keys or something. I've always wondered exactly what someone driving the train would need from someone on the ground a few moments after arrival. Maybe it was a pack of gum!
Right about 4:05, somebody on the ground tosses something up to a man in the cab of the engine. It happens very quickly, and you'll miss it if you're not watching closely. It's something small but reasonably heavy, like a set of keys or something. I've always wondered exactly what someone driving the train would need from someone on the ground a few moments after arrival.
We were standing right in front of where the Locomotive stopped and I saw exactly what was happening. They are keys, tossed up to the Engineer from a crewman on the ground, and the Engineer places them on a rack just below the SE corner of the Engineer's side window. If you zoom in on this pic, you will be able to see multiple sets of keys hanging below the cloth blue banner below the SE corner of the window. Just conjecture on my part, but I'm guessing they are a type of Safety Lock-out Keys to lock-out any possibility of the train moving while on display.
I don't doubt it, I'm sure there are all kinds of gauges and monitors that newer generations wouldn't have a clue about. There's a reason they call the driver of the train the "Engineer"! Thanks for checking out the pics!
September 12th, 2024, 11:41 AM
