One of the biggest steam locomotives is being restored

[oldskoolpunk]

The Big Boy started its excursion to Ogden, Utah today. Just search for "UP 4014" for many videos. Crowds lining the tracks for much of the route.

[oldskoolpunk]

Ogden, Utah. Locomotive made it there without problems. Too many people with cell phone cameras.

Huge numbers of videos on line now.


Union Pacific was cautious. They had the Big Boy in a consist with a second steam locomotive and a modern Diesel, to be sure of getting to Ogden.  UP 4014 seems to be running well now. Early pictures show much smoke and steam. Once fully warmed up and at running speed, there's almost no smoke or excess steam. That's how it's supposed to be.

[oldskoolpunk]

UP 4014 has been upgraded to use modern Positive Train Control. Two more small steam powered turbogenerators were added to the loco to provide electrical power, and the electronics is in a compartment on the side of the tender. With this upgrade, UP 4014 can run on mainline track without an additional Diesel in the train to communicate with the trackside signaling system.

It's being run as a mainline locomotive now. Union Pacific has been sending it all over their system for promotional purposes. They went to a lot of work to restore it to the point that it could be used.