A journey by train
is an adventure
in itself.
...Author Unknown
Before we went to the Capital Airshow, we went to see the locomotive named Big Boy No. 4014. It is the world's largest operating steam locomotive built to conquer the mountains.
Twenty five Big Boys were built for the Union Pacific Railroad between 1941and 1944. They were in revenue service until 1961. The No. 4014 was retired after traveling 1,031,205 miles over 20 years. Today eight Big Boys have survived with most on static display in museums.
However, the Big Boy No. 4014 was rebuilt to operating condition for the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad in 2019. It thus regained the title as the largest and most powerful operating steam locomotive in the world.
These locomotives are 132 feet long and weigh 1.2 million pounds. It had a maximum power capacity of 6,090 horsepower and could haul a 3,600 ton train up the Wasatch Mountain grade. The Big Boys have a 4-8-8-4 articulated wheel arrangement so they can negotiate curves.
Nice on Black.
I enjoyed reading all about them before our visit. For more information see below:
Ian
https://youtu.be/ouYw4ncJ1TU?si=_0HxmNDT05Mriuet