July 29, 2024 |
Photo – Union Pacific Railroad’s steam engine #4014 – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99
People from around the country came to Medicine Bow to see the largest operational steam locomotive in the world.
The Union Pacific Big Boy, also known as 4014, is one of 25 Big Boy-type locomotives built in the 1940’s. The entire Big Boy line was decommissioned in 1962. Most of the engines were scrapped, with only a handful left on display in parks and museums.
From 2014 to 2019, the Union Pacific steam train program painstakingly restored 4014 back to working order. The work crews were often forced to fabricate missing or damaged parts for the 600-ton locomotive from scratch. The iconic 4014 is now the last functional Big Boy left in the world.
After completing the restoration in 2019, Union Pacific has taken the world’s largest operational steam locomotive on cross country tours.
In late June, the Big Boy set off on the Westward Bound Tour, traveling from Cheyenne to California and back. Friday afternoon marked the locomotive’s last stop in Carbon County before returning to the capital city to mark the end of Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Hundreds of people gathered outside of the Medicine Bow Museum as the gigantic machine rolled into town.
People came from near and far for a chance to see the Big Boy in person. Evan Bock, from Laramie, said he is fascinated by the technology of the steam locomotive.
Jeremy Cook drove from Colorado Springs to see 4014 up close. Cook said he likes learning about the story of the Union Pacific Big Boys. Cook thanked Union Pacific for restoring the locomotive.
Liam Foley also came from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Foley said he is impressed by the size of the 132-foot-long machine.
George Stewart came all the way from Folsom, California to see 4014 stop in Medicine Bow. Stewart said he has a unique connection to the Big Boy. A print given to him by his Great Uncle is now hanging in the Union Pacific Cheyenne Depot Museum.
The Union Pacific Big Boy spent roughly 40 minutes in Medicine Bow before continuing on to Cheyenne. It will spend about a month being serviced in the capital city before heading south on the Heartland of America Tour.
