On Tuesday, April 29, Trains’ live streaming video crew of Brian Schmidt and Drew Halverson chased Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 through the depths of California’s Mojave Desert. Along the way, they got great shots of the 4-8-8-4 locomotive — what is quickly becoming the most famous steam locomotive restoration project in the world. Enjoy Drew’s photo gallery!
Next time you take a photo of the Big Boy, please zoom in and get a full length side shot from pilot to tender coupler so you can see it's humongous size and length! The next side shot should be the lead diesel engine and the Big Boy! Your probably going to use that in your magazine but it sure would be nice to see it!
Hope TRAINS makes another Magazine special. Should be plenty more photos!
Jeff, the other diesel behind the Big Boy is 4884, chosen because it relates to the wheel arrangement on the big steamer. I agree, classy move by UP.
I am very happy the Kalmbach crew made it on I-15 without problems. That stretch between L.A. and Las Vegas is crazy- world with the lousy drivers!!!!!!!!!!!! Every time I drove it I saw at least one accident. Stay Safe, guys!!
Great pictures!
Maybe it's too obvious to mention, but I thought it was a nice touch they had UP 4014 diesel pulling 4014 steam. I didn't catch the 2nd diesel's number, it's too hard to make out in any of the photos.
comments with the photos would have been nice. Wasn't sure what I was always looking at.
GREAT WORK GUYS !!!!!!
Nice stuff. Thanks, guys.
Wondering – why are the diesels on either end of the 4014 instead of in-consist on the point? I assume the second unit is being operated DPU.
Great Shots!! Since I'm a *Flatlander* from the "Great Lakes" lol….I love the Mojave Desert.
watched the live stream as they drove from State line NV to Jean NV, and then stopped in the middle of nowhere to get a great video of it rolling by! This is such a great idea and Union Pacific should be commended for it. I only wish we had a railway here in Canada that would want to do this to one its massive engines – CN should do this – there is a great engine number 5700 in St Thomas Ontario that would be awesome to see running again!
Beautiful still shots! Thanks so much.
Thank you. Sorry about the lack of caption info. That's on me – due to time constraints. In order, these shots are between Kelso, CA, Nipton, CA, and Jean, Nev.
Need to see more of this streaming event. I suspect that at times, you and the crew are out of range. Missed after Barstow and Tuesday streaming seemed to be missing a great deal of the time!
Locations of photos, even approximate would be helpful.