Big Boy 4014 in Altoona, WI (July 23, 2019)

A once in a lifetime experience! The Union Pacific Railroad's Big Boy locomotive No. 4014 arrived in in Altoona, WI on July 23, 2019 as a part of its "Great Race Across the Midwest" tour. Newly restored to operating condition and the largest operating steam locomotive in the world, 25 of this type of locomotive (4000 - 4024) were built for the Union Pacific. 20 were built in 1941 and five more in 1944. They pulled long, heavy freight trains between Cheyenne, Wyoming and Ogden, Utah. Only eight survive, including No 4014. The engine was fired up for the first time in nearly 60 years. All of the Big Boys originally burned coal, but 4014 was converted to burn oil during its restoration. The locomotive was on display during the afternoon and left early the next morning. It eventually returned home to the Union Pacific Steam Shop in Cheyenne, WY on August 8. 4014 then toured the southwestern United States which started in late September. The locomotive returned back to Cheyenne just before Thanksgiving.

[@youtubevlogproductions7579]

25 actually were built

[@youtubevlogproductions7579]

Why once in a lifetime and not once a year