A wonderful film made by Union Pacific Railroad to commemorate the last of the giant steam locomotives, the UP 4000 class "Big Boy". This film is in the Public Domain.
Thank you so much for sharing so much past information. I grew up in this era and still enjoy watching them as they journey to special locations. Sure brings back childhood memories!!
My father worked as a boiler maker for many years, when I was about 10 years old (74 years ago) he took to the round house where he used to work, he said to me these places "get Ya" I didn't know what he meant at the time but I understood later on.
It sounded like they had the same problems with tight radius curves with the large rigid frame steamers as they did when they were switching over to the three-axle trucks on the diesels.
Diesel Electric Trains are modular wonders. I live in Berthoud CO and it is not uncommon to see 4 diesel locomotives strung together to pull a mile long train. I look forward to the day when the diesel engine is replaced by LNG burning fuel cells which are far more efficient than even the latest diesels. Natural gas is also cheaper than petroleum based diesel fuel so I will not have to wait long.
Well compared to stem locomotives, yes. LNG-fuel cell powered Locomotives will be even worse because even the noise of the powerful diesels will be gone.
Richard Reinert Of course the end of diesel would be sad, but let's put in a bit of perspective, that's how the train fans of the pre-1950's felt when steam was being replaced with diesel.
Hmm... I wish that were true, having ALL the steamers and cabooses back in service, but there were a lot of changes in railroad technology, i.e.; the diesels replaced the steam engines because they had power, could cost less money, and didn't need coal and water than a steam engine. It also didn't need time to be started up; the caboose was replaced by the End-of-Train Device, because cabooses had cost a lot of money. I made a wish at Outdoor World...hope it comes true...
That would be nice, but UP would have to re-configure a lot of their curves and switches to accommodate such a large engine. Also, the cost of restoring that locomotive to running condition would break UP's wallet. And even if they did manage to get her running, they would only be able to run it in the Wyoming area which would piss off a lot of us Washingtonians.
Amazing piece of history. It's too bad Union Pacific didn't have a great mechanical engineer like Andre Chapelon, L.D. Porta, or David Wardale. They might never have gone with diesels.
Quite possibly the definitive film on Big Boy. Mounting the tire on the wheel using that gas heater to expand the tire was very interesting. The Big Boy c.1941 was state of the art in steam technology with a cast steel frame with integral steam cylinders, Timken roller bearings, automatic lubrication and stoker fed fire box. This locomotive was so well designed that as complex as they were engineers enjoyed working on them because they were so easy to operate.
This is really well put together. As were other promotional films of the error. It was a time when people took pride in their work and brings us a realistic view of a time when working meant having pride in the job, regardless of the work. In this film you see a great story well told, if a bit campy. It clearly describes the subject and fascinates a large audience.I don't think coal or oil are a political lesson here. The loss of steam locomotives is attributable to labor cost and maintenance.
I think the Big Boy was a lot more successful than DD40AX for its time though. Hopefully the Union Pacific will have the restored 4014 run along side their DD40AX some day.
A single example of something is usually called a proto type.The knee jerk reaction of the soviets to build something bigger often results in dismal failure, as was this example.It's massive weight spread rails and wrecked switch points and often derailed.Mothballed after only a year,it was scrapped in 1960 under a cloak of secrecy
impressive engine, i had read about these but didnt understand the concept untill i saw this video showing how they handle turns. While I still find i have more of a soft spot for british steam, such as A4 Pacific.. sexy! ... this ones awesome in its own right too
"It took some doing to hold Big Boy back". I love that!
Thank you so much for sharing so much past information. I grew up in this era and still enjoy watching them as they journey to special locations. Sure brings back childhood memories!!
My father worked as a boiler maker for many years, when I was about 10 years old (74 years ago) he took to the round house where he used to work, he said to me these places "get Ya" I didn't know what he meant at the time but I understood later on.
I like diesels, but you have to respect and love the steamers!
Very good educating and entertaining documentary! The beauty and romantic, powerful majesty of these giant, iron beasts will never be surpassed.
its the other way around lol. The DD40AX is the Big Boy of the diesel era. Striving to be like the the king of steam.
Beautiful engine and a wonderful video. I am fortunate to have seen one in the flesh at Steamtown in PA. Thanks!
Here in OZ we didnt get them. The bigest we got were the garratts!
How I envy Americans who experienced them.
I love the narratives metaphors and how he explains big boy. it makes you want to go back in time
It sounded like they had the same problems with tight radius curves with the large rigid frame steamers as they did when they were switching over to the three-axle trucks on the diesels.
I just love big boy trains
There is no doubt that steamers were labour hungry!
Two locomotives (that I know of) shown in this video still survive today. UP 2-10-2 #5511, and UP Challenger #3985.
And big boy 4014 which is being restored as we speak
Jacob Morgan
Wait, 4014 was in this vid?
I dont know but its being restored right now
Jacob Morgan
Oh I know that.
Oh and 2295 is still around. It was the part of the doubleheader.
why on earth would 39 people dislike this? prius drivers? lol!
Beautiful
Fantastic!
Many a corporation lost in greed could take afew lessons from the UP!
No.. diesels are not boring they are cool and friendly helpful really useful
Diesel Electric Trains are modular wonders. I live in Berthoud CO and it is not uncommon to see 4 diesel locomotives strung together to pull a mile long train. I look forward to the day when the diesel engine is replaced by LNG burning fuel cells which are far more efficient than even the latest diesels. Natural gas is also cheaper than petroleum based diesel fuel so I will not have to wait long.
Diesels are boring compared to steam locomotives... : /
I agree. I'd sure turn out to see a "Big Boy" steam through Berthoud. Diesel's are efficient and cost effective but as you say, boring.
No, they are boring machines
Well compared to stem locomotives, yes. LNG-fuel cell powered Locomotives will be even worse because even the noise of the powerful diesels will be gone.
Richard Reinert Of course the end of diesel would be sad, but let's put in a bit of perspective, that's how the train fans of the pre-1950's felt when steam was being replaced with diesel.
Hmm... I wish that were true, having ALL the steamers and cabooses back in service, but there were a lot of changes in railroad technology, i.e.; the diesels replaced the steam engines because they had power, could cost less money, and didn't need coal and water than a steam engine. It also didn't need time to be started up; the caboose was replaced by the End-of-Train Device, because cabooses had cost a lot of money. I made a wish at Outdoor World...hope it comes true...
Presenting a new chapter.
awesome
That would be nice, but UP would have to re-configure a lot of their curves and switches to accommodate such a large engine.
Also, the cost of restoring that locomotive to running condition would break UP's wallet.
And even if they did manage to get her running, they would only be able to run it in the Wyoming area which would piss off a lot of us Washingtonians.
Amazing piece of history. It's too bad Union Pacific didn't have a great mechanical engineer like Andre Chapelon, L.D. Porta, or David Wardale. They might never have gone with diesels.
So what would have happened after 200 years when the whole supply runs out?
Steam trains oiltrains 1950 Schoonebeek-Rotterdam via Nieuw Amsterdam
wo... who r u talkin to?
Oh my fault 4014.
***** Cause I said the wrong number
***** I had my numbers mixed up in the first place
***** I originally thought the number was 4004
Quite possibly the definitive film on Big Boy. Mounting the tire on the wheel using that gas heater to expand the tire was very interesting. The Big Boy c.1941 was state of the art in steam technology with a cast steel frame with integral steam cylinders, Timken roller bearings, automatic lubrication and stoker fed fire box. This locomotive was so well designed that as complex as they were engineers enjoyed working on them because they were so easy to operate.
This is really well put together. As were other promotional films of the error. It was a time when people took pride in their work and brings us a realistic view of a time when working meant having pride in the job, regardless of the work. In this film you see a great story well told, if a bit campy. It clearly describes the subject and fascinates a large audience.I don't think coal or oil are a political lesson here. The loss of steam locomotives is attributable to labor cost and maintenance.
I can remember the BIG BOYS heading West out of Cheyenne Wy in the early 50`s while TRUCKIN to Denver with my Dad
Very interesting video, but seriously, your name is really Lou Costello? Cool. "HeyyyAbbbott!"
3:07 I bet that whistle is the old k5hl.
Actually, the 9000 was not the largest non-articulated locomotive, in 1934 the Russians built a "4-14-4" called the AA20-1, look it up.
I think the Big Boy was a lot more successful than DD40AX for its time though. Hopefully the Union Pacific will have the restored 4014 run along side their DD40AX some day.
Who is narrating this?
Actually I was lucky enough to see one of them and ride it too. back in Central America.
Big Boy was the DD40AX of the steam era.
A great video! So glad UP is restoring Big Boy 4014 to operating condition!!
very nice and educational! I Like it! Thanks for posting.
A big thank you Lou for posting this peace of history!
los grandes tiempos del vapor Y SUS GIGANTES ... NOSTAGICO..!
A single example of something is usually called a proto type.The knee jerk reaction of the soviets to build something bigger often results in dismal failure, as was this example.It's massive weight spread rails and wrecked switch points and often derailed.Mothballed after only a year,it was scrapped in 1960 under a cloak of secrecy
impressive engine, i had read about these but didnt understand the concept untill i saw this video showing how they handle turns. While I still find i have more of a soft spot for british steam, such as A4 Pacific.. sexy! ... this ones awesome in its own right too
Great to watch this classic film again.
UA-cam. Trans
In France Mallet may be pronounced Malley but in America it is pronounced Mallet! Like the hammer--"rubber mallet".
Well, in that years without PC, GPS, CELLPHONE, that mashine working succesful !!
TK42138, I think you are wrong, that is one beautiful machine right there.
but steam was very very labor intensive but your right about what you said
they actually tried to bring steam back in the 70s.
look up ace 3000