Union Pacific spent years bringing Big Boy 4014 back from a California museum to steam in Cheyenne. Here is how it happened.
From Museum Piece to Mainline Steam
After retiring in December 1961, No. 4014 spent 52 years at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California, where the Southern California Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society kept it in good condition. In the summer of 2013, Union Pacific reacquired it for its Heritage Fleet. SteamLocomotive.com dates the announcement to July 23, 2013.
The Move to Cheyenne
On January 26, 2014, four diesels moved 4014 out of the Fairgrounds onto the national rail network, with ten freight cars to add braking power. After a stop in West Colton, it departed Bloomington on April 28, 2014, and arrived in Cheyenne on May 8 after about 1,250 miles.
Waiting for 844
Union Pacific delayed the project while it overhauled Northern No. 844. American-Rails reports that the restoration launched in August 2016. The steam shop in Cheyenne had to be modified to hold the locomotive, and the original estimate of 3 to 5 years grew to 5 to 7.
What the Restoration Involved
- A nearly complete disassembly, cleaning and inspection of all parts, then reassembly with restored, repaired or replacement parts (RailGiants).
- Conversion from coal firing to No. 5 fuel oil.
- Federal Railroad Administration inspection and witnessed testing.
- Per SteamLocomotive.com, boring the cylinders from 23¾ to 24 inches, which raised tractive effort to about 138,240 lb.
Railway Age estimates that Union Pacific spent about $4 million on the restoration.
Fire Up
On the night of May 1, 2019, 4014 moved out of the Cheyenne roundhouse under its own power for the first time since 1959. A test run to Greeley, Colorado, followed on May 2. It was christened on May 4 and ran to Ogden for the Golden Spike 150th anniversary. Its return had a bittersweet side: 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985 was retired, and its tender was later paired with 4014 according to Wikipedia.
Continue with the Big Boy 4014 History Timeline, the Big Boy 4014 Tour History or the Big Boy 4014 Specifications Explained. Back to the The Complete Guide to Union Pacific Big Boy 4014.
Our Big Boy 4014 Shirts & Merch salute the crew that made it happen.
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Keep Reading in the Big Boy 4014 Knowledge Hub
- Big Boy 4014 History Timeline
- Big Boy 4014 Tour History
- Big Boy 4014 Specifications Explained
- 4014 vs 4012: Two Big Boys, Two Very Different Lives
Start with the complete guide to Big Boy 4014 for the full overview.