Big Boy 4014 to remain in North Platte ‘until further notice’ NEWSWIRE

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A Union Pacific train creeps along slowly westward at Gibbon, Neb., as flood waters touch the base of the track ballast. Flood waters and poor operating conditions have forced the railroad to keep UP Big Boy No. 4014 at the North Platte, Neb., yard until further notice. Jim Wrinn NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Due to […]

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Big Boy to meet its match in Duluth this month NEWSWIRE

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Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone No. 227, left, and Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy No. 4014. Two photos, Steve Glischinski DULUTH, Minn. – When Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 pulls into the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth July 19, it will be within a few feet of one of its contemporaries: […]

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Big Boy No. 4014 departure delayed this morning NEWSWIRE

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No. 4014 heads east through the curves at Archer, Wyo., on Monday as it departs Cheyenne to kick off its next public tour. Zach Marlow CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014’s departure from its home base in Cheyenne today was delayed more than four hours while the crew “made adjustments” to the […]

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How to draw a digital Big Boy locomotive. Step by Step NEWSWIRE

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Rick Johnson; Trains staff “We’ve done a diesel and an electric; now we need to do a cutaway of a steam locomotive.” Those words from a retired Kalmbach Media vice president sent a bit of a shiver down my spine as well as sparked a challenge I found irresistible. I’d love to do it, but […]

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Ask Trains: How can you ride behind the Big Boy?

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Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 leads an excursion consist passed Granger, Wyo., in May 2019. Though limited, Union Pacific is allowing limited excursions behind the giant steam locomotive. Justin Franz Q: After 150th Golden Spike excursion, will there be other chances to ride the Big Boy 4014? — Daniel Miltenberger, Jacksonville, Fla. A: Union […]

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Ask Trains: How does the Big Boy distribute weight to its front drivers?

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A side view of Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 on a test run in May 2019. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Q: With interest in the completion Union Pacific’s Big Boy’s restoration, how does the weight of the boiler get down to the front drivers? — Carl Amerlan, Downers Grove, Ill. A: Great question! As an […]

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Ask Trains: Why was Big Boy No. 4014 picked to be restored?

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Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 arrives in downtown Cheyenne, Wyo., on May 4, 2019. The locomotive was chosen for restoration for a variety of reasons. TRAINS Staff Q: I may have missed it, but why was UP 4014 picked over all other displayed Big Boys? — Tom Otoski, Dayton, Ohio A: A combination […]

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UP announces schedule for Big Boy’s next tour in the Midwest NEWSWIRE

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Union Pacific OMAHA, Neb. — The Big Boy No. 4014 is headed back out on the Union Pacific system beginning July 8 for a tour, taking it through Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Called the Great Race Across the Midwest, the tour will include displays at the following locations: • July 13-14: Omaha, […]

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Minnesota museum confirms Big Boy 4014 visit in July NEWSWIRE

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Restored UP 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 rolls westbound at Bitter Creek, Wyo., on May 5, 2019. Steve Glischinski DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Railroad Museum and its North Shore Scenic Railroad will host Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 in Duluth this summer. The organization’s “News from the Railroad” online newsletter says the 4-8-8-4 will […]

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Big Boy excursion set for Southern California NEWSWIRE

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UP 4014, seen in Wyoming earlier this month, will run in California in October. Trains: Jim Wrinn POMONA, Calif. — Payback can be pretty sweet, afterall. The organization that traded Big Boy No. 4014 to the Union Pacific in 2013 said Friday it will get an excursion with the locomotive Oct. 12 and 13. According […]

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Next stop for Big Boy No. 4014: Iowa. From there, eastbound? NEWSWIRE

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No. 4014 will travel to Iowa on an excursion on July 15. Trains: Jim Wrinn OMAHA, Neb. – Where is Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 headed next? The UP Museum has confirmed that its fund-raising trip of July 15 from Omaha to Boone, Iowa, will be pulled by the newly restored 4-8-8-4 that returned […]

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Ask Trains: What is the meaning behind Union Pacific steam locomotive code numbers?

Question: What do the numbers and letters mean on the side of the cab of Union Pacific Challenger 4-6-6-4 No. 3985? — Ben Fairbank, San Antonio, Texas Answer:                      21 – 21 4-6-6-4-4-69 ————— 404 UP                     […]

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