Big Boy roared through Colorado again, pulling the Abraham Lincoln

Colorado Community Media ^ | July 23, 2025 | Belen Ward

[Morgana]

The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 roared back through Colorado towns between Denver and Cheyenne July 17 and 19 – this time pulling another piece of history, commemorative locomotive No. 1616, also known as the Abraham Lincoln.

The Abraham Lincoln is a commemorative locomotive unveiled on April 30, 2025 at the Downing B. Jenks Locomotive Shop in North Little Rock, Arkansas, labeling it as the second presidential locomotive built, according to officials.

The powerhouse engine joins Union Pacific’s No. 4141, which was built to honor President George H.W. Bush, according to officials.

Union Pacific pays tribute to the memory of former President Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president. Lincoln signed the 1862 Railway Act, which established the Union Pacific and funded the construction of its transcontinental railroad to connect the rail across the country, thereby facilitating the transportation of supplies, according to officials.

The engine was celebrated July 1 at a ceremony in Springfield, Ill. – Lincoln’s hometown.

“Union Pacific is incredibly proud of our heritage, and we are honored to share this special locomotive in the hometown of the man who brought our railroad to life and unleashed economic prosperity,” Lisa Stark, vice president of Public Affairs for Union Pacific Railroad, said in a written statement. “We think Lincoln would have been proud of the vital role railroads serve today in delivering the goods and products essential for everyday life in America.”

The two historic locomotives came south from Cheyenne on July 17, with a whistle-stop in Greeley, before continuing south to Denver’s Union Station.

After a day in Denver, the train returned to Cheyenne on July 19, stopping in Greeley again on the way north.

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TOPICS: Hobbies; Travel
KEYWORDS: abrahamlincoln; bigboy; colorado; trains

[Morgana]

Only a railfan will understand the title

[Racketeer]

I will not ever honor anything named for a Bush!! Horrible people they are.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

What a sight to behold.thats a BIGBOY.

[Jeff Chandler]

[Morgana]

Well if it crashes does that make it “Bush’s fault”?

[Red Badger]

[Morgana]

Thanks RB. Ain’t it beautiful though?

[Red Badger]

Looks like a Lionel Train I had as a kid!...............

[broken_clock]

Good post. I needed this 👍

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

It is such as these and the men who built and operated them that made much of this nation.

[wally_bert]

MST3K - Days of our Years.

I will worship at the railroad of my choice.

https://youtu.be/UvhskXf_5XU?si=df_2Sy3P3JvNQFUK

[niteowl77]

The George H. W. Bush locomotive was a nicely done project that honored a guy who did not deserve it, IMHO. He served in WWII, survived being shot down and got back in the saddle. That is admirable. My hometown was full of men that did as much or more, and the most they got was a small rectangular plaque on their gravesite.

The Lincoln locomotive is also nicely done, and I consider the dark trucks and underframe to be more tasteful.

[stevio]

To me, those are amazing works of engineering. And just plain pretty too.

[lgjhn23]

Great pic! Love it.
However, the whacked-out environmental morons are probably gonna go totally ape shite over it....let em.
To hell with em....let er rip!!!!

[dljordan]

“What a sight to behold.thats a BIGBOY.”

I go to Cheyenne sometimes and take the tour. They’ve got several locos in storage and the repair shop is full.

[BenLurkin]

No, we get it. A big boy was pulling a train.

[sonova]

Got to see it hot last time it was in CO. Well over 1,000,000 lbs. Drive wheels 68” diameter.

[sasquatch]

I have a copy of Big Boy in N scale on my dining room table.
It’s about 1 1/2 inches tall. The Daylight, SP 4449 is another favorite.

[Vaduz]

Listen to the jingle and the rumble of the roar...................

[Vaduz]

Don’t need a stinking desk job I have the best one there is.