In case anyone is wondering why there is a diesel-electric engine connected to this train, it is for providing electricity, and dynamic breaking. Also, it provides a backup if the steam locomotive breaks down.
I grew up with the UP calendars in my room. My Dad was a big rail fan. Somewhere, there is a pic of he and I next to 4017 in Green Bay. He sadly passed away a couple years before 4014 was back on the line, but I know he would have been absolutely thrilled to see it.
I've known about the Big Boys since I was a little kid (I'm closing in on 67 now) but I've never seen one in person. Videos like this are probably the closest I'll ever get. Thanks for sharing it.
My grandfather worked as a station master for CP Rail in the small village of Ramsey, Ontario. I recall going to visit as a child and to see those gigantic steam engines rolling by was a thrill. Sadly, Ramsey is now a ghost town since the lumber company left.
No foam'rs near this place, was a restricted parking lot I talked my way in, had to stand on the trunk of my car to get the shot over a 6' chain link fence. Was planning the shot for a couple of days after scouting the area. Union Station is about 1/4 mile behind the train and was super crowded.
@@Robert-S-World We railfans( 60 years in the ranks myself) refer to those in the hobby that have a more rabid interest in anything on rails as Foamers . Trains are everywhere, and most pay close attention to their passing without displaying obvious signs of interest. Steam powered trains ,as rare as they are these days , tend to bring on the foaming at the mouth kind of reaction that is difficult to miss. The fact that this shot is devoid of anyone displaying this behavior is unique. 4014's journeys are well publicized and getting a shot without a crowd is a feat of immense skil and planning.
I was on a cross country car trip and we were going to pass through Cheyenne, WY, where 4014 is stored. It was there but unfortunately it was in the shed and couldn't be seen. We were driving my daughter with her car out to Aspen, but we ourselves got out in Denver to fly home. At the other end of the summer, when my daughter was coming home, I went out by myself and met her in Albuquerque and we were going to drive through Texas, OK and Missouri and then east to New York. I checked the schedule for 4014 and it was going westbound while we'd be going eastbound through MO. I found the town where we'd likely cross with the least amount of waiting, Chamois, MO and there we were. Two New Yorkers, with NYS license plates, parked next to the tracks with all the folks from town, in the middle of the cornfields. We did chat with them and the first question was always "Why here?". And I explained. When 4014 got closer you could hear that thing about 5 miles away. It came roaring through. And just like that it was gone. Our next stop was barbecue in St Loo and the Arch.
I've always thought steam locomotives such as 4014 really do have a soul. I think it's happy to have been resurrected and running the main line! I've seen it in person, and no hyperbole is too much to describe its majesty, power, and presence!
I visited with the engineer the day before when it was parked at Union Station, it’s now oil burning instead of coal. So the tender box is now an oil tank. Thus why you don’t see much smoke when it passed.
I wish people would position their cameras away from cities and crossings so that we may hear the sound of the locomotive. Also, using a wind proof mike would be nice.
You can make a microphone directional by placing it at the focus of a satellite dish, to focus the reflected sound onto the microphone. These are very very effective. Amazingly so. Sadly, they are also of necessity very bulky and difficult to use. So there's that.
Would anyone be able to tell me: this locomotive seems so long, would it have trouble getting around some bends? Or is there some kind of articulating with the wheels that allows it to go around bends well?
You have a good question, this Big Boy is sure long and appears turning corners would be a challenge. Basically the wheel arrangement resolves those issues, the front are leading wheels (4) the next are the first set of driving wheels (8) These are connected and pivot with the track and independent of the second set of driving wheels (8) followed by the trailing wheels (4) that also pivot. So the truck under the locomotive pivots in the front and rear. I believe it can navigate a 20 degree turn. If you ever wondered what the numbers below the ‘4014’ on the side of the locomotive(4-8-8-4) are, it tells the number of wheels and their arrangement. I would recommend if the Big Boy comes to a station or line near you to take the time to go see it…it’s not only majestic and beastly but the sheer engineering and workmanship from the generations before us brought back so we could experience the ground shake and chest pounding as the behemoth thunders past.
@@jerroldkazynski5480 No worries. I like the trains. I do hope we stop running them, as they pollute more than anyone can imagine. So do the modern Diesels.
In the UK , such an impressive old locomotive would attract much more folk in a local car park to watch it go by ...... maybe it was not publicised ... ( ? ) ...... DAVE™ ...............
4014 does national tours, but unlike here in the UK there’s much bigger distances between stops. So you’ll find people do show up to watch but they’ll be much more spread out down the line. Remarkable how small she makes our old steam locomotives look though right? Loading gauge must like two A2 peppercorns stacked on top of eachother
I’m not sure what the purpose of this move was, but I only count three cars. When 4014 toured the country on a published schedule I believe it was pulling a longer train. And people definitely came out to see it.
Local media and crowds were at the Union Station where it was parked for a couple of days. Wanted to get a video of it w/o the crowd and modern buildings. Went up line about 1/4 mile to a secluded parking lot with a decent background and waited. This was also around 8:15am on a week day so most everyone was at work.
Yes, Kansas City, Missouri. I was in the Children's Mercy Hospital employee overflow parking lot at 20th & Locust. Had to ask really nice if they would let me in as there's a guard. Had to stand in the trunk of my car to get a shot over the 8ft fence . Before the train came, they kept coming by on their golf cart asking If I was sure there was going to be a train. When it finally came they were still next to me and amazed. Children's Mercy Hospital (not seen) is on the hill top behind the train, the building you do see is the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Union Station is about 1/4 mile to the right (west) of where I was and had a large crowd.
Holy simoley! He's a 4-8-8-4????????? WoW! Even his tender has 7 axles! Impressive! Have some more of these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@KYoss68 That is not the purpose of the diesel locomotive. Freight diesels are not equipped to supply power to passenger stock, that is the purpose of the generator car, which is located right behind the maintenance and tool car on this train. Firstly, the diesel is used to supply dynamic braking, which the 4014 cannot do, thus saving wear and tear on an irreplaceable artifact and it's very old and very expensive brake systems. Of course, dynamic braking did not exist when the 4014 was built, and back then, most trains did not go for more than a few hundred miles before having a maintenance inspection. Most passenger trains back then also did not make comparatively many stops on any given route or run. The Big Boy makes many stops a day on it's tours, and this would add extra un-necessary strain on it's braking systems were the diesel not there. Secondly, the diesel locomotive has up until recently, provided PTC for the train. PTC stands for Positive Train Control and is an automated signal system that uses a computer and various sensors (all of which did not exist when the 4014 was built) to allow dispatchers and train crew to constantly be apprised of the condition of the train, the condition of the tracks, and signal blocks ahead. Recently, the 4014 has had a PTC station installed in it's cabin, but the actual computer and the digital wireless transmitter system (which responds very poorly to the immense heat of the Big Boy's cabin) that allows the train to communicate are located in the (air-conditioned) diesel. The diesel is also used to help stretch out the water supply. Back when 4014 was built, there were watering stations for steam locomotives every hundred miles or so, so that even if your train had a small leak, or the packing or seals were worn, you could make it to the next stop and water up. This is no longer true. During long transits, the Big Boy can be run under minimal power and allow the diesel to carry the load, thus saving water and (to a lesser extent) fuel. This came in clutch a couple of years ago when 4014 had a regulator valve failure while crossing Louisiana and could not make it to New Orleans without re-watering. Back in the day, this would have been an issue of concern, but not a big one, considering the ease with which a train could re-water. However, in 4014's case, the town they had planned to stop in refused to allow the train to re-water, considering that the 4014's capacity would almost equal the total water supply capacity for the town that day. With the diesel pushing, and 4014 limping along, they made it to New Orleans and a repair shop capable of fabricating the valve parts. Which brings us to the last function of the diesel. Insurance. 4014 is old. She functions, she can carry a load, she's as good as she'll ever be. But none of that negates the fact that the 4014 is the better part of a century old, now. And for much of her lifetime, she's been used pretty hard. She's not a Cadillac fresh off the showroom floor, she's an original Rolls Royce Phantom, refurbished and glorious in her antiquity. But you cannot expect showroom-new performance or conditioning out of a refurbished antique. You most especially do not treat the irreplaceable antique the same way you do some factory-fresh machine. The diesel insures that 4014 will make it to where she needs to go, even if something breaks or fails. Remember, almost every part on the Big Boy must be made by hand, there are no factories churning out replacement parts for valves and fittings like they were back when she was made. Things that broke down back then and were easy fixes are now a major issue, mostly due to the need for specialist parts or equipment or specialist knowledge and maintenance. No matter what happens, the diesel insures that 4014 will at least make it home, should something go wrong.
You are incorrect if you think diesels are more powerful. They connect multiple diesel units together to get enough power to pull heavy trains. Also the speed records set by steam locomotives still stand.
@@railroadfan-io7ns after a little research I stand corrected My question is the rusian locomotive had issues derailing curves because of its length Why didn't the 4014?
@@larryhullinger4141 because the a20 had the longest rigid wheelbase with 14 driving Wheels all connected 4014 had two sets of eight driving Wheels the front set could articulate allowing it to bend around curves
There is one area where Union Pacific 4014 is the largest. It is the largest restored and fully operational locomotive operating on the railroad tracks today.
It's articulated. The Russian 4-14-4 wasn't larger and it wasn't successful. It wrecked the rails and roadbed, derailed, and couldn't keep up steam. Nice try, though. Later there were Russian articulated locomotives which were very good.
The reason for the diesel has been explained and has nothing to do with motive power. The sound is dubbed like some 1950s movie and doesn't match the cylinder action of the locomotive. These beasts, 844, 3985 and 4014 hardly make a sound starting or running. The wheels of the cars on the track make more noise. But oh, that unforgettable ALCO whistle.
In case anyone is wondering why there is a diesel-electric engine connected to this train, it is for providing electricity, and dynamic breaking. Also, it provides a backup if the steam locomotive breaks down.
Don't forget the fact that the Big boy is moving a long distance, and that it's really expensive if it needs to refuel constantly.
if they used a f7b for this it would look better
@@ace74909 wouldn't be powerful enough to move Big Boy if he broke down. At least not quickly
Thanks, buddy!🙃
Well it’s not made to move big things quickly to begin with to be fair
The sound of that whistle is like some mournful wail from the gods of the railways. It's awesome and totally iconic for this class of loco.
I grew up with the UP calendars in my room. My Dad was a big rail fan. Somewhere, there is a pic of he and I next to 4017 in Green Bay. He sadly passed away a couple years before 4014 was back on the line, but I know he would have been absolutely thrilled to see it.
Is back , what a sight, can’t get enough of it
I've known about the Big Boys since I was a little kid (I'm closing in on 67 now) but I've never seen one in person. Videos like this are probably the closest I'll ever get. Thanks for sharing it.
The 2023 Steam schedule hasn't been published yet but it should be out on Union Pacific's website soon and you can see if it will come near you
My grandfather worked as a station master for CP Rail in the small village of Ramsey, Ontario. I recall going to visit as a child and to see those gigantic steam engines rolling by was a thrill. Sadly, Ramsey is now a ghost town since the lumber company left.
Absolutely amazing shot with ZERO "foam" on the rails. True railfans will get that.
Well done.
No foam'rs near this place, was a restricted parking lot I talked my way in, had to stand on the trunk of my car to get the shot over a 6' chain link fence. Was planning the shot for a couple of days after scouting the area. Union Station is about 1/4 mile behind the train and was super crowded.
@@ScroatBagGarage
God bless you.
Foam? Am I missing something
@@Robert-S-World
We railfans( 60 years in the ranks myself) refer to those in the hobby that have a more rabid interest in anything on rails as Foamers . Trains are everywhere, and most pay close attention to their passing without displaying obvious signs of interest. Steam powered trains ,as rare as they are these days , tend to bring on the foaming at the mouth kind of reaction that is difficult to miss. The fact that this shot is devoid of anyone displaying this behavior is unique. 4014's journeys are well publicized and getting a shot without a crowd is a feat of immense skil and planning.
@@jpaulkepler4638 so you guys are better people huh? Cool for you!
Great shot! Lovely watching her loaf along - its like a run-by, to see the wheel mechanisms at work.
What a beast of a locomotive!
That’s a Real train 🚂 LUV old steam!
Essa locomotiva é muito linda , o som dela muito agradável de se ouvir...👏👏👏
Beautiful Lead Engine ❤️
I was on a cross country car trip and we were going to pass through Cheyenne, WY, where 4014 is stored. It was there but unfortunately it was in the shed and couldn't be seen. We were driving my daughter with her car out to Aspen, but we ourselves got out in Denver to fly home. At the other end of the summer, when my daughter was coming home, I went out by myself and met her in Albuquerque and we were going to drive through Texas, OK and Missouri and then east to New York. I checked the schedule for 4014 and it was going westbound while we'd be going eastbound through MO. I found the town where we'd likely cross with the least amount of waiting, Chamois, MO and there we were. Two New Yorkers, with NYS license plates, parked next to the tracks with all the folks from town, in the middle of the cornfields. We did chat with them and the first question was always "Why here?". And I explained.
When 4014 got closer you could hear that thing about 5 miles away. It came roaring through. And just like that it was gone. Our next stop was barbecue in St Loo and the Arch.
Great clip
I've always thought steam locomotives such as 4014 really do have a soul. I think it's happy to have been resurrected and running the main line! I've seen it in person, and no hyperbole is too much to describe its majesty, power, and presence!
What a beauty!🤗
What a marvelous machine! It looks like two engines melded into one.
I’ve worked for two railroads in my lifetime and been a Railfan for years and it’s morans like these guys who give everyone else a bad name
I visited with the engineer the day before when it was parked at Union Station, it’s now oil burning instead of coal. So the tender box is now an oil tank. Thus why you don’t see much smoke when it passed.
thanks for the video from-west germany.
That is music to an engine appreciator
Nice shot, great sound, greetings from Germany.
With that consist, Big Boy doesn’t know it has anything behind it.
Impressive sound on my phone. Now I gotta hear this on my big speakers when I get the chance..and crank it up.
Diesel engines' horns alert the neighborhood , while steam engines' whistles alert the whole county . Indescribable , must be experienced
Bravo.
Petition to rename bigboy to big chungus
I wish people would position their cameras away from cities and crossings so that we may hear the sound of the locomotive. Also, using a wind proof mike would be nice.
You can make a microphone directional by placing it at the focus of a satellite dish, to focus the reflected sound onto the microphone. These are very very effective. Amazingly so.
Sadly, they are also of necessity very bulky and difficult to use. So there's that.
That is a big ass locomotive
That’s some steam engine
Big Boy is the steam equivalent of Twin Mill (from Hotwheels); just use more engine.
Wonderful #DINESHGADA
Would anyone be able to tell me: this locomotive seems so long, would it have trouble getting around some bends? Or is there some kind of articulating with the wheels that allows it to go around bends well?
You have a good question, this Big Boy is sure long and appears turning corners would be a challenge. Basically the wheel arrangement resolves those issues, the front are leading wheels (4) the next are the first set of driving wheels (8) These are connected and pivot with the track and independent of the second set of driving wheels (8) followed by the trailing wheels (4) that also pivot. So the truck under the locomotive pivots in the front and rear. I believe it can navigate a 20 degree turn. If you ever wondered what the numbers below the ‘4014’ on the side of the locomotive(4-8-8-4) are, it tells the number of wheels and their arrangement. I would recommend if the Big Boy comes to a station or line near you to take the time to go see it…it’s not only majestic and beastly but the sheer engineering and workmanship from the generations before us brought back so we could experience the ground shake and chest pounding as the behemoth thunders past.
Why are the doors on two of the cars open?
Unbelievable 😊😊😊😊🇬🇧👍
Such a beautiful beast!
Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱.
Maybe we can see a video of a steam powered car being pushed by a 2023 Toyota? Would be as good as this was.
Towing the Toyota, would be more accurate. The diesel provides backup power if needed and electricity for the modern passenger and support cars.
@@jerroldkazynski5480 No worries. I like the trains. I do hope we stop running them, as they pollute more than anyone can imagine. So do the modern Diesels.
Nice capture...
Can I use this video in my train compilation video credit to you in video will be given
Use the video freely, no credit necessary...spread the hobby and education so others may also enjoy.
@@ScroatBagGarage Thank you so much...
👍👍👍
In the UK , such an impressive old locomotive would attract much more folk in a local car park to watch it go by ...... maybe it was not publicised ... ( ? ) ...... DAVE™ ...............
Very few Americans really care about history.
4014 does national tours, but unlike here in the UK there’s much bigger distances between stops. So you’ll find people do show up to watch but they’ll be much more spread out down the line.
Remarkable how small she makes our old steam locomotives look though right? Loading gauge must like two A2 peppercorns stacked on top of eachother
I’m not sure what the purpose of this move was, but I only count three cars. When 4014 toured the country on a published schedule I believe it was pulling a longer train. And people definitely came out to see it.
Local media and crowds were at the Union Station where it was parked for a couple of days. Wanted to get a video of it w/o the crowd and modern buildings. Went up line about 1/4 mile to a secluded parking lot with a decent background and waited. This was also around 8:15am on a week day so most everyone was at work.
Consider that the distance from central California to Chicago, Illinois is about the same as from Paris, France to Moscow, Russia.
Apakah cuma tinggal satu satunya?...
Looks like downtown KC,MO, where I grew up. Can anyone confirm this?
Yes, Kansas City, Missouri. I was in the Children's Mercy Hospital employee overflow parking lot at 20th & Locust. Had to ask really nice if they would let me in as there's a guard. Had to stand in the trunk of my car to get a shot over the 8ft fence . Before the train came, they kept coming by on their golf cart asking If I was sure there was going to be a train. When it finally came they were still next to me and amazed. Children's Mercy Hospital (not seen) is on the hill top behind the train, the building you do see is the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Union Station is about 1/4 mile to the right (west) of where I was and had a large crowd.
World's largest EXISTING steam locomotive. Also, the DMIR Yellowstones were more powerful.
Can anyone tell me, did these run on coal or oil?
oil
Coal. It now burns oil.
Holy simoley! He's a 4-8-8-4????????? WoW! Even his tender has 7 axles! Impressive! Have some more of these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nobody was wondering
Magnificent no won does steam like the Americans
Taka potężna lokomotywa ciągnie tylko 5 wagonów jeszcze lokomotywę spalinową.Co on tym wozi i komu ?
Maybe the biggest but needs "help". More impressive if actually run under its own steam! *no pun intended
The diesel is provided not as a helper but to provide power for the other train cars which is something the Steamer isn't set up for.
@@KYoss68 That is not the purpose of the diesel locomotive. Freight diesels are not equipped to supply power to passenger stock, that is the purpose of the generator car, which is located right behind the maintenance and tool car on this train.
Firstly, the diesel is used to supply dynamic braking, which the 4014 cannot do, thus saving wear and tear on an irreplaceable artifact and it's very old and very expensive brake systems. Of course, dynamic braking did not exist when the 4014 was built, and back then, most trains did not go for more than a few hundred miles before having a maintenance inspection. Most passenger trains back then also did not make comparatively many stops on any given route or run. The Big Boy makes many stops a day on it's tours, and this would add extra un-necessary strain on it's braking systems were the diesel not there.
Secondly, the diesel locomotive has up until recently, provided PTC for the train. PTC stands for Positive Train Control and is an automated signal system that uses a computer and various sensors (all of which did not exist when the 4014 was built) to allow dispatchers and train crew to constantly be apprised of the condition of the train, the condition of the tracks, and signal blocks ahead. Recently, the 4014 has had a PTC station installed in it's cabin, but the actual computer and the digital wireless transmitter system (which responds very poorly to the immense heat of the Big Boy's cabin) that allows the train to communicate are located in the (air-conditioned) diesel.
The diesel is also used to help stretch out the water supply. Back when 4014 was built, there were watering stations for steam locomotives every hundred miles or so, so that even if your train had a small leak, or the packing or seals were worn, you could make it to the next stop and water up. This is no longer true. During long transits, the Big Boy can be run under minimal power and allow the diesel to carry the load, thus saving water and (to a lesser extent) fuel. This came in clutch a couple of years ago when 4014 had a regulator valve failure while crossing Louisiana and could not make it to New Orleans without re-watering. Back in the day, this would have been an issue of concern, but not a big one, considering the ease with which a train could re-water. However, in 4014's case, the town they had planned to stop in refused to allow the train to re-water, considering that the 4014's capacity would almost equal the total water supply capacity for the town that day. With the diesel pushing, and 4014 limping along, they made it to New Orleans and a repair shop capable of fabricating the valve parts.
Which brings us to the last function of the diesel. Insurance. 4014 is old. She functions, she can carry a load, she's as good as she'll ever be. But none of that negates the fact that the 4014 is the better part of a century old, now. And for much of her lifetime, she's been used pretty hard. She's not a Cadillac fresh off the showroom floor, she's an original Rolls Royce Phantom, refurbished and glorious in her antiquity. But you cannot expect showroom-new performance or conditioning out of a refurbished antique. You most especially do not treat the irreplaceable antique the same way you do some factory-fresh machine. The diesel insures that 4014 will make it to where she needs to go, even if something breaks or fails. Remember, almost every part on the Big Boy must be made by hand, there are no factories churning out replacement parts for valves and fittings like they were back when she was made. Things that broke down back then and were easy fixes are now a major issue, mostly due to the need for specialist parts or equipment or specialist knowledge and maintenance. No matter what happens, the diesel insures that 4014 will at least make it home, should something go wrong.
You are incorrect if you think diesels are more powerful. They connect multiple diesel units together to get enough power to pull heavy trains. Also the speed records set by steam locomotives still stand.
im a rail fan and I find nothing interesting about ancient tech - but im probably in the minority
ahh yes, 16 drive wheels
Is it longest?????????????!!!!!!!!!
The locomotive is big boy 4014 the big boys were the biggest and most powerful steam locomotives ever buil
@@railroadfan-io7ns afraid not The Russians built one bigger but it didn't work
@@larryhullinger4141 the a20 was 110 feet while the big boys were 138 feet
@@railroadfan-io7ns after a little research I stand corrected My question is the rusian locomotive had issues derailing curves because of its length Why didn't the 4014?
@@larryhullinger4141 because the a20 had the longest rigid wheelbase with 14 driving Wheels all connected 4014 had two sets of eight driving Wheels the front set could articulate allowing it to bend around curves
It is magnificent, but it isn't the "world's biggest". This is well established.
There is one area where Union Pacific 4014 is the largest. It is the largest restored and fully operational locomotive operating on the railroad tracks today.
Така куча металолому тащить 6 вагонов
THAT'S A FIRE BREATHING DRAGON!
👍
Not the biggest locomotive ever built The Russians built one bigger but it didn't work It was so long it couldn't make curves without derailing
I am surprised that THIS one can! A 4-8-8-4 ? In effect 2 loco's bolted to a single chassis.
It's articulated. The Russian 4-14-4 wasn't larger and it wasn't successful. It wrecked the rails and roadbed, derailed, and couldn't keep up steam. Nice try, though. Later there were Russian articulated locomotives which were very good.
Lose the diesel UNION PACIFIC
The reason for the diesel has been explained and has nothing to do with motive power. The sound is dubbed like some 1950s movie and doesn't match the cylinder action of the locomotive. These beasts, 844, 3985 and 4014 hardly make a sound starting or running. The wheels of the cars on the track make more noise. But oh, that unforgettable ALCO whistle.