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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Bridge burns on route of Amtrak ‘Sunset Limited’ NEWSWIRE

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Union Pacific SANDERSON, Texas – Union Pacific has experienced a bridge fire on the Sunset Route south of Dryden, about 18 miles east of Sanderson. According to the railroad, the fire occurred on Sunday evening and the line is expected to reopen “later this week.” According to spokeswoman Kristen South, at about 6:30 p.m. on […]

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Watch for changes coming to Union Pacific’s Chicago intermodal operations NEWSWIRE

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WAUKESHA, Wis. — Watch for major changes to Union Pacific’s Chicago-based intermodal operations this month. Rumors are already swirling about specific traffic shifts and operations changes, but the only definite details available come from a May 2 UP notice announcing Intermodal re-shuffling. Specifically, railroad officials say they’ve sought to “simplify” Chicago intermodal operations by idling […]

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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 train carrying munitions derails in Nevada, briefly closing Interstate 80 NEWSWIRE

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WELLS, Nev.. — A Union Pacific train reportedly carrying grenades and other munitions has derailed near Wells, briefly closing a 6-mile stretch of Interstate 80. The Elko County Sheriff’s Office reports on its Facebook page that 22 cars derailed, but those carrying munitions were located at the opposite end of the train from the derailed […]

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Ask Trains: What route did Big Boys take to get to Union Pacific?

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Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 on a test run in Cheyenne, Wyo., on May 2, 2019. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Q: How were the Big Boys originally delivered to Union Pacific? — David Kuntz, Salt Lake City A: The exact original routings of the Big Boys have been lost to history, but we have […]

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Grade-crossing collision kills driver, derails UP train in Southern Illinois NEWSWIRE

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FULTS, Ill. — A Union Pacific train hit a tractor at a grade crossing in a rural area about 40 miles south of St. Louis on Friday evening, killing the driver of the tractor and derailing 30 cars of the train. The Republic-Times newspaper reports that Monroe County coroner identified the victim as 23-year-old Jonah […]

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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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