Susan and I drove to Montello, NV to see this steam engine. We first setup a few miles west of town to get some photos of it arriving. Then went into town for train’s 30 minute stop there, as part of its tour of the West. The train had been out to California and would make a number of stops on its way back to Cheyenne, WY where it is based. We chose this stop to avoid the crowds, as it was an out of the way small town, and was only a 2 1/2 hour drive for us. While stopped they greased the engine’s linkage. As the train was about to leave the station, the Railroad Police intercepted someone trying to hop the train.
Included in the train is a diesel electric locomotive (UP 1983) with the Western Pacific Heritage paint scheme. It is a backup in case of issues with the Big Boy and provides electric power to the passenger cars.
Big Boy Specifications
- Weight: 1.1 million pounds
- Engine & Tender: 132 ft. 9 7/8 in long
- Maximum Tractive Power: 135,375 lbs.
- Horsepower 7,000
- Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in December 1941. The locomotive was retired in December 1961
- Fueled by coal, Now converted to No. 5 Oil
- Top speed 70mph
- The 25 engines built, normally operated between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, WY
- Built to haul large freight trains over the steep mountain ranges on this route
Our Video of the train at Montello, NV
Video from someone that rode in the cab of Big Boy
For the schedule of Big Boy’s Tours
Video on how a steam locomotive works