Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 Steam Locomotive

[stormsirens2BACKUP]

how'd they get the whistle to work?? did the steam up, wait the gauge read zero huh, please explain

[john6218att]

all it would take is a wall street guy with an interest in it and a few of his dollars to get this beautiful machine restored and running

[packr72]

@john6218att and a railroad that would allow a 1.2 million lb locomotive on their rails, aint gonna happen, let them rest

[GayGamer21]

Oh my god thats' one big loco

[gamr4fun]

How much would ins. cost for a year in operation?

[EPICTHOMASFAN713]

really cool whistle

[PREZILLA2009]

Its BEAUTIFUL.

[swievpetr231]

die big boy ist schön und schön und einfach nur schön

[swievpetr231]

die big boy ist Schön und geiel

[archstantonn]

Tremenda máquina!, gracias por el video.

[gartify]

How can a bigboy be any worse than the challenger on the tracks it's bullshit that one isn't running.

[redbaron977]

I didn't know why they cant just pull a natural gas driven steam generator behind the coal car and plumb steam to the steam manifold. A good inspection and repair and replacement of steam system, wheels and brakes would be necessary . After this sort of modification, the boiler is OUT OF THE EQUATION.

[shnimmuc]

I`m told that the largest and easiest monster locomotive that can be restored is the Yellowstone that is in the museum in Duluth Minnesota. It has been housed for years and would need little work.

[tinman3804]

@shnimmuc #227. She is a BEAST!!! I have seen her a few times and never get sick of seeing her. She is at the Duluth Depot and Train museum in Duluth, Mn. I highly recomend checking the place out.

[shnimmuc]

One of the reasons the Big Boys do not get restored, is that they are very hard on tracks, and many of the routes now have sharper curves then when the Big Boy ran.

[mark10788]

4014 is being taken good care of by two hard working gentlemen. When she was moved to this location she moved too easy and ran into the tender of AT&SF hudson #3450. The engines were left where they were. When the workmen returned the net day 3450 was in dirt only a little. Today an air compressor sits in a location on 4014 that makes the whistle to have the abillty to blow at 150 PSI.

[70judgeman]

I've seen 3985 up close and running when it came to Milwaukee years ago. I've got some video of it too, but not posted. We also have one of the 8 remaining Big Boys in Green Bay. They moved it indoors some years ago to preserve it better. I think the fire bricks were removed and utilized in the fire-box of Milwaukee Road 261 when it was restored.

[CaptainChaos]

Jesus, what a monster!

[PineValleyDigital]

Glad to see it preserved, sad to see it sitting still and silent. Great vid!

[ynnhoJ22]

Awesome, Cool whistle!

[Lightwolf333]

Epic dude!

[6580006247]

1:21 stick your dick in it

[mwhkelly]

Apparently, this one is in better condition than most due to the drier weather in Southern California. I've seen 4023 in Omaha Nebraska (before it was moved) and this one and the 4014 looks in better shape. The UP 3985 Challenger is still in operation and is based on the Big Boy, so there does not appear to be a pressing need to restore a Big Boy. (I've heard that there are only a couple of wyes still in use and they are not very far apart).

[KB9813]

oh so sad it makes my cry how they just let it rust away and it just the same way were I live there is a 4-4-0 #29 out side of the Canadian pacific Railway HQ and it got arson in the 1970's and is was in running order when that happen to Why would some one arson a beautiful loco like that what a ass hole he was

[stradplayer90]

those connecting rods stainless or what because they dont rust at all.

[abcpat100]

Man what i wouldn't do to see this thing running again.

[PotholesInMyLawn]

My goodness what a amazing bit of kit!

[stratocat9999]

Where's the cowling? Why would the strip off the cowling and leave the boiler exposed like that?

[tinman3804]

@stratocat9999 To help keep the moisture from rotting out the boiler. Actually it is better to have the lagging off of the locomotive as the insolation between the boiler and the lagging acts like a spong for moisture and rusts out the boiler. They use a special paint when the lagging is removed to protect it from the elements.

[kratos32godofwar1]

fuckin hell look at the size of tht..lol pretty impressive

[eaglerock999]

just think, it all come out of rocks........our forefathers were a clever bunch....

[ATSF1927]

I love these old Alco Class 4884-1 Steamers. During my younger years I use to be a Fireman and Engineer on the old Baldwin 4-10-10-2 with Santa Fe Railway they were powerful. UP never converted this one to coal oil, wonderful video.

[michaelhpedersen]

It's like UP just said, "let's build something absolutely bad ass"

[david245611]

that whistle sounds big, and powerful jsut like the bigboy :D

[Alwaystrains]

Wow so now we know what a big boy's whistle actually sounded like @2:27! Out of so many replicas, none of them are even close to this! Was that blown on air?

[niselat]

@HaloCE14 they tried restoring one. the problem they ran into is that, due to the lack of coaling facilities, they had to convert it to oil. the engine would not fire properly.

[Simonwannabe]

@niselat I read an article about how UP "tried" to fire it with oil, it said they used one burner for the massive firebox, the firebox is 30 feet long, 15 feet wide. How on earth can one burner cover that much area? Its next to impossible, they should try using multiple burners to get it going. Also they converted it to oil back in the 50's when technology was minimal. If they were to do it today then I think it would succeed. But UP claims that they couldn't run it even if it was restored.

[CaptinBen10]

WHERE WAS THE FILMED AT 

[simhopp]

@qomarguy

well, the real question is, "are you a billionaire?"

[60017Bittern]

these are awesome,living in the uk,i dont ever expect to see one

[amarkanders777]

WOW! look at all the valves that crewmembers would have to know & control!

looks like..not many of them labled...

more complicated than Most People thought, I'm sure!

[jakarate11]

One thing I hope to see before I die is a Union Pacific Big Boy running. This one looks a though it's ready to run. Just add coal and water!

[LNERMallard]

If no one was looking i'd put some water in that boiler and a fire in the firebox just to she what she'd do :D

[trainmanauxl1]

i want to punch the man who said a Big Boy couldnt run again. If you can't get the original ,build a new one. With that being said, who says Union pacific has to run it! people really need to start opening thier minds a bit.

[SierraRailway]

trainmanauxl1

True, but almost no tourist railroads can afford it like the UP can, not that they would anyway since they've already got 3985 AND 844. I'd say a restoration of any of the remaining Big Boys would take about 2 or so million dollars. Keeping it running, plus the cost of coal fuel would be TOO much for most if not all tourist railroads. The Big Boys are better left alone.

[princenoah21]

@trainmanauxl1 If it were up to me, it would run again. But it's no fun if it's a new one running instead of the original

But damn it, the Big Boys are fucking awesome

[OmegaDallen]

@trainmanauxl1 I agree... The only thing you have to figure out is how to keep the fire going. In this day and age is it that hard to figure out how to boil water to make steam?

[packr72]

@trainmanauxl1 sorry ain't gonna happen, the big boy weights over 1.2 million pounds fully loaded, most railroads dont have time to restore,operate, and maintain massive steam engines, their is a reason why the ns retired the n&w1218, its to damn big, the up operates today 2 locos, a northen 4-8-4, and a challenger, 4-6-6-4, be greatfull that those operate

[TIEPILOT0815]

great video!

[jointlinerailfan]

Wish I was the one blowing that whistle

[jointlinerailfan]

Man, I didnt even know she was in that bad a shape

[Photo314159]

That thing needs a wax job! :)

[quangluu96]

so much pipes o.o

[savida34e]

I'm In Love!

[rboffill]

2:18-2:34= Me=:oooooooooooooooooooooooooo­ooooooooooo

[jimihendrixtribute]

Would this one be able to run under its own power as is?

[cancerman50]

I think they have one in operation at Steamtown NY.

[Simonwannabe]

@cancerman50 Sadly no.....there is no operating Big Boy......the ones that are left are icons in museums. I hope there comes a day when we see one run again....but I don't think that will ever happen.

[sambear0]

Thanks for the video and the notes... maybe some philanthropist could show up and cover the costs to bring one back to life. It is an important piece of American history.

[sheka216]

got 2 sit in the cab of a 2-6-6-4 in duluth minneosita which is owned bu the duluth messabi and iron range railroad it is engine 227

[tinman3804]

@sheka216 Actually the 227 is 2-8-8-4. They were said to be even stronger than a Big Boy.

[Tinsby]

Nice to see one in respectable condition the weather is kinder than that at Steamtown in Pa. That Big Boy is rusting away, nearby is the famous Reading T-1 #2124 that too is nothing more than a rusty shell. I suppose I should be glad they are there at all but to have them out in the elements 24/7 365 is a slow death to any steam locomotive. Steamtown imho is nothing more than a glorified graveyard, sad but true.

[gattosub]

As incredible as they were, they did push all the limits. Fact is the UP wanted diesels instead of the last five BB's. We would all love to see one roll again, but weight and size as well as track limits spell it out that they will never be seen again in steam. However steam might have evolved had it been given a chance. Such as the Pennsy T-1's. THAT was the cutting edge .

[darkhound891]

is it just me or at around 0:20 seconds you hear N&W #1218's whistle???

[844Steamtrain]

@darkhound891 ya they have all kinds of steam train sounds playing from speakers on nearby telephone poles

[JRCreations92]

@darkhound891 yea i here it 2

[simhopp]

@Jazzyhorn111

well, Mr. Gates the 3rd is not the only wealthy man.

I guess people should go down the list of the America's wealthiest, and ask them one by one who is willing to donate.

It is hard for me to believe out of hundreds of billionaires, no one is a railfan.

[TheBrataccas]

if batman had a train in the 40's this would be the train! :(

[Barricade360]

this is the one they still have the whistle hooked up to air

[djscottdog1]

yer im gona go and see it

cant work out why it would cost so much to do it up , most of its still there

[90Blakey]

1 of 8 left. i am glad they keep this one still looking clean

[Dinosorable]

I have to go there one day!

[paratroop24]

If they keep it locked how did you get inside the cab?

[Justin5637]

did they acually let u blow the whistle?

[BDNeon]

I got to squeeze inside the firebox when I was younger, something tells me it'd be a bit of a tight fit getting through the coal port now lol. I remember vividly that even though the sun had gone down a good few hours ago, the train still retained so much heat that it was swelteringly hot inside the box despite the frigid desert night temperature outside.

Good memories. I'm so happy that this monument to the glory of steam power is so close to where I live.

[jerry736]

I love seeing this great piece of history. Anything in the 1900's to 1960 was awesome. Because it was made in America. Guys, our U.S.A men made this machine and its pure awesome. Now its made in China or mexico. Plus you got stupid computers running it. Also it would break down. This UP bad boy was made in America.

[bluesguitardude]

if a big boy wont run... why bother keeping it in such an incredible shape? doesn't make sense...

[UNIONPACIFIC1]

THERES MY BOY LIVING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAVE ME OPPERTUNE CHANCES TO SEE THIS GIANT IT HONESTLY MAKES ME WANNA CRY ITS JUST THIS NOSTALGIC FEELING I GET I ABSOLUTLY LOVE THIS ENGINE ALONG WITH THE RAILROAD ITSELF WHICH IS WHY IM DEDICATING MY LIFE TO THE JOB ON THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD I WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN ALIVE WHEN THESE GIANTS RAN I LOVE THIS ENGINE AND I LOVE THIS RAILROAD

-------------------UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD FOREVER

----------UNIONPACIFIC1

[thediremoose]

I got to sit in the cab of #4006 at the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis.

As far as freight trains were concerned, the Big Boys were pretty much the ultimate in steam locomotive design, considering that they could easily pull five-mile-long trains that acually exceeded what they had originally been built for. Plus, as I recall there weren't any major design flaws and they were not particularly hard to maintain either.

[AUSTINRINT]

My grandfather was a big boy engineer on the 4014 in 1940's 50's

[UPX4014]

4. In addition to volunteers working on it, what contractor could be used to do the major work of fabricating replacement parts and boiler work?

5. What would be the best way to get an estimate of a mechanical overhaul?

These are just a handful of the many questions that would still need to be answered, but I believe it could be done with enough time, dedication and money.

[UPX4014]

There's lots of obstacles to overcome before any mechanical overhaul could begin.

1. Does UP still own the Big Boys and are they really on loan to the museums where they're displayed?

2. Where could 4014 be move for an overhaul for starters.

3. Where could it be operated if not on UP's sytsem?

[Politcalamity]

@UPX4014 I know your questions were proposed 10 months ago, but the most important of them is #3. When people start fantasizing about restoring their favourite locomotive, this should always be the first consideration, yet it never is. If you don't have a place to run it, your project to restore any locomotive is dead in the water before it even starts, and no one will consider investing in it until you do.

[johnhamiltoneaton]

Even if it costs a few million dollars to restore 4014, I am sure donations would flow in! all it takes is some one to put it together , and ask for the money I'd be happy to donate all I can.

[UPX4014]

Okay, so we know it would take millions to bring 4014 out of mothballs. What if funding were available? How long would it take and where could it be moved to for it's overhaul and re-activation? The big question,could UP be convinced to allow it to run on their system again even if for only a few times a year?

[DUBMANS]

is the cab open or locked

[tomg106]

iv never seen so many gate valves (red handles) in my life lol id love to see one of these working in england on the east coast mainline, would make the Tornado look like something out of the Rev W Awdry books ha

[Vorahk3985]

What a monster, in size. Almoast 133 feet long!!!! That's 40.47 meters in Europe, where I come from.

[PereMarquette1223]

I say 4017 would be a good one because it's inside and in a climate controlled room. That is one low sounding whistle. Imagine hearing that being blown for a crossing and 4014 doing 70MPH. What a sight and sound to see and hear.

[harrodsburgNSfan]

@PereMarquette1223 Well you got to remember that 4014's whistle right now is operated by 150 PSI of air pressure so it's probably going to sound low pitched. Now if the engine was under steam and at the full boliler pressure of 300 PSI, then 4014's whistle would probably sound a lot alike 3985's since I'm sure the Challengers and Big Boys were built with the same whistle.

[UNIONPACIFIC1]

LOL MY HOME 

[LNERMallard]

That monster's got a great whistle! Even if it's not on steam, that's still really badass!

[SkipW]

thats rare a bigboy without a fence around it

[Lightwolf333]

Very nicely done man! Nice to see some more vid of the 4014.

[09JDCTrainMan]

They say this is the best big boy to restore.

[CoastStarlight11]

WOW!

[844Steamtrain]

@HaloCE14 Well if you take a look at the description, the men who maintain this goliath told me BB's were very hard on tracks during their time of operation, so logically that fact would still apply if one ran today (even if the tracks were in great shape; brand new, large rails w/cement ties)

[Kleman09]

@844Steamtrain any steam locomotive is hard on the tracks due to the constant pounding of the drivers. The Big Boys could actualy handle curves with grace due to its articulate design.

[theUP844]

@844Steamtrain you have a very good point, though It would be cool to see one run again. I heard recently from a guy that has a relative who work's for the UP that the railroad is actually restoring a Big Boy for excursion service.

[Simonwannabe]

@theUP844 Really? I haven't heard that......you would think that there would have been more publicity if UP was restoring a Big Boy......or maybe they are just paint one to make it look nicer......because I doubt UP would sink a ton of money into a locomotive that hasn't been run over 50 years....I mean could you imagine how much it would cost to restore a Big Boy? I would say somewhere around 500,000 to a million dollars if not more. If you hear more about UP working a Big Boy let us know ASAP!

[Simonwannabe]

@844Steamtrain I don't know......I don't think they would be as hard on the rails on today's rails as they were back in the day.....I mean the railroad has made huge leaps and bounds on the durability of its tracks. Plus if a train 2 miles long with 4 or 5 locomotives today don't put extreme wear and tear on the tracks.....then I don't think a Big Boy and a few cars will do too much.

[atsf3415dbr]

How were you able to get into the cab to blow the whistle and ring the bell?

[juancarlos85i]

wow que nostalgia !!!! UP Big Boy!!!

[TNtrainboy15]

It's good they keep the cab locked but I would like to get up in there and blow that whistle ;-)

[VillageIdiotPro]

Wow I didn't realize the drivers where so small.

[844Steamtrain]

@VillageIdiotPro they're 68 inches in diameter and their purpose is for extra tractive effort since BB was designed for slower freight hauling, while engines like the '49 have big 80 inch drivers for high speed passenger service.

[PereMarquette1223]

@844Steamtrain Pere Marquette 1225 is a 2-8-4 and has 69in drivers.

[Kleman09]

@844Steamtrain actualy the Big Boys were designed for high speed frieght service.

[steamingpoopfart]

Big boys hauled freight at 80mph

[Hyce777]

Can't wait to go down there in July. Gonna be a lot of fun.

[railfan101]

Awesome! It's a shame that some machines like these are simply too big to restore, maintain, and operate. Glad you had a great time there!

[CLietke]

Nice video! I wish I was there!