[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]

[Red Badger]

[broken_clock]

Good post. I needed this 👍

[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.

[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.

[NFHale]

Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 articulated, massive, steam giant, from a much better by gone era

I think it’s stationed out in Cheyenne; there’s a round house there with a bunch of classic Union Pacific locomotives under restoration and care.

https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/big-boy-4014

[GingisK]

The Big Boy sports four cylinders that are 24” in diameter. That is 452.5 square inches. It operates at 250 PSI, giving a thrust of 113,097 pounds per cylinder. That works out to 452,389 pounds, or 226 tons of traction at stall. It will get the job done.

[KitJ]

Darlings, if you’re interested in the Big Boy 4014 and other steam locos here is the website from Union Pacific to track:

https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam

I have a great railroad friend that helped restore and get 4014 back on the tracks and still works in Cheyenne where Big Boy goes to sleep at night. Along with the fabulous, and slimmer, 844.

These machines are magnificent examples of building, casting, and machining. Right down to the last bolt and rivet. Thanks to Union Pacific (headquarters in Omaha) for spending a bit to keep these beasts on the rails! If any among you has any interest or influence, Please drop a post card or letter to UP to encourage them to continue support. Contact me privately and I can provide the address.

UP is very sensitive to customer relations when they hear from people. Their steam program only costs about $2-3 million a year. Just guessing. If they upped it to $4-5M/yr we could really see some great things. Ask for the return of passenger cars.

The Steam Program did announce that they would be on the rails more in 2026 to celebrate the Nation’s 250th anniversary. No more info. With enough support from the public, UP might just show up in your town. Maybe I’ll see you there. I’ll be volunteering.

Meanwhile, if you have an hour to spare, here is the Jay Leno Garage show about the Big Boy. Ed is still driving the train and Austin and others are there too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YMAqqCYe00