Trains News Wire EXCLUSIVE: UP special train headed west to retrieve Big Boy

Join the discussion on the following article:

Trains News Wire EXCLUSIVE: UP special train headed west to retrieve Big Boy

I’m that I’ve lived long enough to see this happen! How could this EVER be topped!? I’m willing to see suggestions!

Hmmm, so UP will now have two 4014’s, just like it once had two 844’s. Hopefully this time the diesel is the one to get it’s number switched!

What’s the diner bunk name and box car number?

The DDA40X would look nice on this train! However, I am glad that UP is doing this, regardless of the motive power used to move it to Wyoming. I also hope it comes not only to Chicago, but to downstate Illinois as well.

As long as 4014 runs to chicago when she is done being rebuilt I will be happy.

I wanna take of the 28th off from work

Currently the steam engine has UPP reporting marks, making it UPP 4014. The diesel will eventually be renumbered, but you wouldn’t slap those new license plates on the torn down 57 Chevy in your garage right now, would you? Why would you renumbered the diesel for an inactive steam engine 4 or 5 years before it’s supposed to run.

UP needs to name a passenger car for David P. Morgan. I’d like to think he would highly approve of the 4014 restoration and future fan trips as another fantastic part of the American history of railroading. If Howard Fogg has a car named for him, DPM deserves no less.

What say, Mr. Wrinn? Can you put a bug in someone’s ear, or should we fans do it?

Great idea Roger. They could be examined and tested in action to finally rest the debate of most powerful/largest/heaviest steam locomotive.

Did anyone else see the statement on UP’s web page that 4014 would be converted to burn #5 oil?

Will Trains Magazine publish Volume 2 of “Big Boy on the Road to Restoration” after 4014 arrives in Cheyenne? Or maybe Volume 2 should be published after 4014’s restoration is completed.

Once in Cheyenne, would the public get to see it being restored? I’m guessing not. It’s truly awesome that the UP is doing this, I’ve ridden behind the Challenger, and now I hope to ride behind the 4014!!!

Once in Cheyenne, would the public get to see it being restored? I’m guessing not. It’s truly awesome that the UP is doing this, I’ve ridden behind the Challenger, and now I hope to ride behind the 4014!!!

Clarence - although it might not top this for UP fans, how about if CSX were to sponsor steam excursions once again and restore the Allegheny in the B&O museum as their excursion engine.

Odds are that by the time 4014 is fired up,
David,
that the SD70 will be trade-in fodder.
Its close to 14 years old, with a Tier 1 engine now.
16 to 20 years old qualifies it for locomotive Medicaid.

Does an SD70M come with both expanded radiators and non-expanded? I ask because the photo with this story IDs both as SD70M but the rear locomotive has greatly expanded radiators.

UP 4635-4639 were prototypes for the then new Tier 1 spec.s and received the new flared radiators and split cooling. It became standard for production models from 2002-01, with numbers in the UP 47xx range.

I am in awe of this project. UP deserves lots of love.