Hyce Reacts: BIG BOY 4014 rescues a STRANDED FREIGHT TRAIN!

This is one of the cooler things to happen in steam railroading recently... go find more videos of it, the sound is incredible!
‪@ottotherailfan‬ 's full video: • UP Big Boy 4014 shoves...
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[@railfanmaximstill7279]

The train MCHNP Was 11,000 tons and 10,000 ft and was extremely underpowered 5:54 I've heard them before I can confirm that throttle is open to only Notch 1 or High Idle

[@SirLANsalot]

Typical UP to run underpowered or just at minimum required power for XX subdivision. As such they get a LOT of stalls because they have so little power that if one of the locomotives isn't up to snuff, faults out, blows up, whatever, the train will not have the power anymore to move. Worse still is when the rails are wet from rain and you get less TE to pull with. BNSF on the other hand, does run 1 or 2 extra locomotives on about every train you see go by, and usually with DPU's on the back of most trains. Normally you will see 3-4 engines on the front with at least 1 or 2 on the back of trains. With those extras on the front (aka any locomotive past the 2nd one) idling or offline and only being brought on as needed for hills. The Chehalis Sub is fairly hilly with 1.2% grades throughout it (Napavine Hill being the long big one) and UP has stalled several times on that hill when its been raining with train TAG4 running just 2 locos with a long intermodal train. (NOTE: UP has trackage rights through BNSF territory as UP does have a yard in Fife and pulls intermodal trains out of Tacoma. BNSF has the Intermodal yard in Seattle near where Hyce once worked at Interbay Yard being the big main yard of the Seattle Sub). In southern Washington there is Kalama, where there is a large Grain Terminal there exporting to Asia with boats traveling up the Columbia River. Its a great place to railfan as at that part of the mainline turns into 3 lanes in that area.

[@jaredkelly930]

@@SirLANsalotyou’re correct but you’re not at the same time. The BNSF terminal I work out off we run trains at 1.0 HPT. One sub is river grade, one has some pretty good hills, no matter what direction we go it’s always 1.0 is the minimum. Now other subs aren’t necessarily turning engines on to top a grade and off once they reach the top. We have system wide rules for maximum power axles and maximum dynamic brake axles. Plus train make up also determines the number of DP’s that can be online at a time. Just because there’s 2 back doesn’t mean they’re both online. The train I had yesterday had 3 locomotives conventional (no DP’s) we were 3.8 HPT with all online, so we had to isolate one engine completely and then were restricted to throttle 7. Now if we had been heavier I could have ran all 3 locos but then would have had to cut out dynamic brakes on one of them to comply with system wide rules on maximum dynamic braking effort or even have cut out traction motors to comply with maximum tractive effort. All that depends on the type of train, train make up etc.

[@SpawnofChaos]

@@SirLANsalot UP also has a yard here in Seattle, called "Argo." 🙂

[@ryanmiller6191]

actually for 2 4400hp engines 11k tons is not quite underpowered, but given the weather and one engine giving out midway through blair, they shouldve had an extra engine.

[@SirLANsalot]

@@jaredkelly930 totally yes, what I was saying was more or less a generalization as there is a lot more that does go into building a train along with company polices. Having had lots of fun playing Run8 Train Simulator, which has probably the best kind of...well...Train simulation. Since you can hand build a train with cars needing to go places , either elsewhere (run through) or to other yards. Run8 is a MP based game too, so your not doing this alone (but can). Having been on a server, I would "run" Barstow yard, mainly the Hump side breaking down trains to keep things running. But also having hard to build and make up trains to empty the "bowl" (server wasn't well populated at night so sometimes did this alone). The game does simplify some things, or at least displays what you need to know when putting a train together. So when you hook up a few locomotives it will show your HP/t for that train. It is still up to you to figure out if its too long for just having 2 or 3 lead engines only, or it might needs a few DPUs on the back to make sure you don't break the train in two. Yes the game does have coupler simulation and you can, quite easily, break a train going through Tehachapi Loop if you don't manage the slack right or not have enough pushers or mid DPUs. The base game does have BNSF's Barstow Yard and UP San Fran yard along with other, minor, yards. Additional Sub divisions can be bough to better extend the running through the SoCal area. They also have some Norfolk Southern subs as well. The game isn't much to write home about on the graphical standpoint, it IS a simulation game first a foremost. I find fun in it that it is like running operations on a model railroad, only on a computer and simulating an actual sub div. The game does have SD70ACE's and ES4400's as well as GP38's and SD40-2's are the main locomotives the game has built in. It was fun to try and build a modern day train, having it pulled by SD40-2's instead of the big SD70's. The Cabs are well simulated too, not much for actual manual control (like Train Sim), so its still very Keyboard controlled. However the displays and the cab are accurately depicted inside, down to even the computer screens in the SD70 and AC4400.

[@Mr._Delaware_and_Hudson]

They all said a Big Boy wouldn’t return to the rails. They said it wouldn’t be done, yet here we are. They said a Big Boy wouldn’t haul freight and get worked hard again. Once again, here we are. It’s incredible seeing 4014 work like this.

[@Railblitz]

I imagine being at the crossing and seeing the last boxcar and then the entire 4014 is behind

[@AtkataffTheAlpha]

@@Railblitz that would be anyone's dream. Those who were lucky in person to see it are lucky duckies.

[@Railblitz]

@@AtkataffTheAlpha well yes but actually yes.

[@peteheyde7999]

"They said" America has gone soft and stupid. They said America is a white racist country that discriminates against everyone except white conservative males. They said that the federal government must accumulate as much power by whatever means possible to "preserve democracy". They DON'T say that doing what they're doing is the direct antithesis of democracy. I say, America was built on freedom of thought, speech and action. The American Spirit designed, built and restores an AWESOME example of GREATNESS! I personally can't imagine a better representation of the way America used to be...and has almost completely given away. I say to all you corrupt power mongering politician criminals that are intent on tearing America apart... Look out...THERES A BIG BOY COMIN'THROUGH!

[@genislebastard3491]

You should do a video on Galaxy railroad.

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

Big boy: You know we used to call this back in my day? Diesel: What? Big Boy: Light Work!

[@Yokoto12343]

Accurate amany forget that steam locos still have crazy torque compared to their modern successord

[@JETZcorp]

​@@Yokoto12343 Ehhhh, I wouldn't quite say that. Big Boy certainly has more horsepower at speed than the modern diesels, but a modern AC-traction locomotive makes ridiculous traction effort from low speed. It's very similar to the car world, where a Tesla can out-launch a Bugatti due to superior electric traction, but once traction is assured, the superior horsepower takes over. During the diesel transition era they had a saying. Diesel can start a train it can't pull, and steam can pull a train it can't start.

[@jameskinglion]

@@JETZcorp I have seen a video of the 261 around 1994. The steam loco was trying to pull a coal train, and the excursion train tacked on the rear of the train, but this train was on a very light grade. They couldn't move more than a few feet. They tried everything, but then they added a Diesel just behind 261 to help with starting the train then 261 was able to take over to pull this long train. Later that year, 261 was the last steam loco to remove the New River train. This train is one of the most comprehensive collections of privet cars on one train, around 30 passenger cars.

[@jochenreichl796]

@@JETZcorp Steam engines, just like electric motors, have their full torque at standstill. Diesel is different, an internal combistion engine at standstill is turned off and doesn't do any work at all. With steam, even at standstill, the full pressure impinges on the piston. Only downside in comparison to electric motors is the dead spots.

[@ChiliCheeseNuggies]

@@jochenreichl796you know diesel locomotives are just big generators on top of electric wheelsets?

[@InkblotHyena]

4014 was _designed_ to haul tons up the hills of the Wasatch. This is quite-literally what she was made for. Hearing the power of 4014 as she pushed up that hill was something that dang-near brought a tear to my eye..

[@Naviss]

Same here, after watching and hearing all the old footage from Big Boy's hauling freight, I didn't think we would ever hear one work again. This was amazing! And it sounds just like the old footage.

[@russellgxy2905]

Honestly the only thing out of place here is the fact 4014 was _pushing_ at all. Big Boys are no strangers to heavy trains, but they never really pushed them in service. They were always at the head end of trains, either solo or double-heading. Unlike the Challengers, Big Boys never got demoted to helper duty

[@reardencode]

Literally brought a tear to my eye. Amazing to see this old girl work!

[@Sassafras-]

He, its a Big BOY

[@Electrodexify]

It's almost like people are trying to indicate big boy is a tranny, when referring to "she". If they wanted this train to be a girl, they should of called it "Big Girl". Honestly a he makes more sense, because he's big, powerful than the smaller locomotives that are rightly called "shes"

[@itsjustaviper]

The diesel: I'm tired of this grandpa! 4014: *_THAT'S TOO DAMN BAD_*

[@RC-bm9so]

Big Boy just decides put but off his vacation tour to help a fellow UP train to move again so he can continue to head home. Freaking legend.

[@Kraigthecanadian]

haha it was slightly pissed its rail was blocked so it decided to shove it out of the way and got a little eager once the annoyance wore off and it decided it was fun to stretch its legs and the engineer had to hold it back and remind it to be gentle

[@RC-bm9so]

@@Kraigthecanadian "C'mon man. I am trying to help you. Yes I hear you wheelslipping in protest. I am letting you stretch your wheels and work hard, but don't overdo it." Big Boy Engineer Probably something to that regard.

[@PHSR_Productions]

What a chad.

[@frencisshuen1054]

For engines, no matter from England or America, it's always making them feel good to be "Really Useful"

[@PowerTrain611]

That's 3 for 3... all 3 of UP's restored steamers having assisted modern freight trains at some point in their excursion careers! Steam still got it!

[@KreativeKng]

When did challenger assist a freight train? I only know of the time it pulled the 150 car freight train alone, but that was planned

[@SpawnofChaos]

@@KreativeKng If memory serves, it helped a stalled BNSF stack train once after they had a traction motor blow. Also, unlike most of the other restored or still operational steamers in the US today, all three of UP's fleet are on the railroad's active duty roster. Again if memory serves, that means they're _required by the FRA_ to run at least one revenue-generating train per year. There's footage on KZbin of 3985 hauling an intermodal train all by itself from several years ago. One final awesome fact: Other than being down for maintenance here and there, 844 has been on UP's active duty roster since the day she was delivered in the 1950s. She's the longest-serving locomotive in UP's entire fleet, and I believe the longest-continuously-serving steam locomotive in the country if not the world.

[@cptshelly]

Will say this probably has lazed ups thoughts on restoring old locomotives. I mean if all 3 have helped modern trains , their clearly proving their use. There's definitely a lot of red tape with stuff like this but we could hope up is open to restoring more.

[@PowerTrain611]

@@cptshelly Pretty sure Ed plans on letting 3985 and 5511 back into UP's excursion roster when Silvis gets them running. Even if they no longer own them or operate them, the engines in Silvis will be around on UP's trackage, I'm sure

[@survroproductions200]

the prophecy it is true

[@thehoff4581]

Diesel stalled, UP sends 70+ year old 7,000 hp steemer. 4014 whistles ahead " hold my oil can and watch this" LOL

[@roaenokesyzlak7828]

"On behalf of boiler makers, pipefiters, engineers and fireman generations over, Justice was served that day" - Loose paraphrase from Trains Unlimited describing the SAME thing happening to 844

[@SamaritanPrime]

This is straight-up a Super Rescue. Henry would be proud.

[@elisekehle8520]

I was squealing the same thing all through the vid!

[@spartangoku7610]

Me as well.

[@chargerknite236]

Of course we don't want to wear these old workhorses out, but every once a while it's nice to see one showing them how it's done. Literally. Grandpa telling grandson, "Hold my coffee, This how real men get it done!"

[@lightspeed4596]

My thoughts exactly. To see the video of 4014 assisting the freight is excellent! However, IMHO, 4014 should be treated carefully. Yes it's built for this, and it's fun and vindicating for Big Boy's crew, UP, and steam restoration efforts.

[@TheSilverShadow17]

​@@lightspeed4596Treated carefully but also be used in conjunction with how the builders originally intended, hauling heavy loads, given peoper mechanical exercise, vice versa. Then again UP has done several excursion tours with 4014 so that's a start.

[@ToledoRails]

The stalled freight that broke the internet

[@sambrown6426]

YES

[@Chaos42666]

Not only is it nice to see BigBoy working, but as you pointed out about the fireman's skill this is also a prime example of an American locomotive *without* the constant big black/grey plume so often associated with them, because it's working, and not on a photo op

[@TheBeeMan1994]

That really made me happy to see becuase if this is used as PR media, you don’t have this locomotive dumping ungodly amounts of black smoke from the stack, you have a very light and hardly noticeable haze. As cool as photo ops are and getting these things to roll coal and turn the midday sky into midnight, it’s terrible PR for anyone not aware of how steam locomotives work

[@bene5431]

It's also because this engine uses oil, not coal

[@---zq1cz]

She & 844 where converted to oil. No more coal! Still steam!

[@KiwiPowerNZ]

@@bene5431 Coal burns clean to with the right firing and good draft.

[@AdmiralYeti8042]

Big boy runs an atomized bunker oil burner. The fireman’s job isn’t effortless but it’s a heck of a lot easier.

[@kholdanstaalstorm6881]

Ye Gods, what a beautiful beast! That had to be that crew's year made, having Big Boy doing freight must have been a dream come true! Not to mention all the train spotters getting to see the 4014 working hard, that had to be a goosebumps and spine tingling session! Well done Hyce for sharing this and big thanks to the people who shot the videos!

[@DanielMcCool95]

When 4014 was doing her West Coast tour after the restoration, My Friend Travis and I were in San Timiteo canyon as she started her journey home. She was working then and to hear her put her back into it like she did here.. was just FANTASTIC.

[@oriontheraptor8119]

Big boy:(puts down walker and cracks knuckles) “come here sonny”

[@mafarnz]

I honestly wonder how much of this was Ed being so sick and tired of all the naysayers and finally having a chance to shut everybody up.

[@44492611]

Ever since the 4014 was rebuilt the biggest thing I have been hoping to see is for it to head up the wasatch mountains with a container train. Preferably while doing more than 40mph. It’s pretty great that they got the chance to do this though.

[@bobrenner7213]

I found it interesting that 4014 'Just Happened To' be available, in place, at just the proper moment. Wonderful video!

[@keenanmcclure1038]

What gets me is how much the whole train slowed down during just a few seconds of 4014 wheel slip. This train is 10,000 feel long, which is almost two miles. That is a tremendous amount of mass. From the sound of the chugging before and after the wheel slip, it sounds like it lost nearly half of its momentum. Trains don't slow down that fast when the brakes are applied. Then 4014's chugging started picking up speed again after the slip. That goes to show just how much "push" 4014 was contributing. Wow, that thing is amazing!

[@ottotherailfan]

Thanks for using my video for this! Wonderful video Hyce!

[@Shipwright1918]

Little bit of justice for all the men of the steam shops that got tossed on the wayside when the boxes on wheels came along. Wasn't that long ago when 844 did something similar, and 3985's epic runs with intermodal freight and circus train hauls, so 4014's keeping up a proud tradition of reminding the modern rail scene that steam can still get the tonnage over the road when all else fails. Life's got a nice way of leveling things out sometimes.

[@lucasquintanilla1673]

Well, congratulations on the person who took that video tape! Everyone we’ve witnessed something that only happens a few times in a lifetime nowadays. 4014 can now be said to have done some thing that 844 famously did in the 1990s at archer Wyoming, when it helped to rescue a stalled freight train on its way back from an excursion. This scene and 844 adventure from the 90s looks something straight out of the 1940s and 50s.

[@Juancheros]

Great video Hyce, thanks. Here is proof 4014 was really pushing that train and 4015 was not doing anything: Notice that as soon as 4014 started to slip and the engineer cut down the throttle, the whole train IMMEDIATELY slowed down! This means, if 4014 continued to shut down, the whole train may have stopped. Thats the proof right there.

[@crazypickles8235]

This was so fun to see! Welcome back, 4014, glad you could make it to the party, darlin. She is just gorgeous

[@dapullia]

Awesome. I saw a report from the UP where they said that yes, their steam engines actually pull revenue service between their exposition service and display stops. I also remember seeing a youtube video that said 844 had a similar experience elsewhere on the Sherman’s Hill.

[@PictureHouseCinema]

I love seeing machines doing what they were built to do. This is not just a pleasure trip, it turned into a great display of the capability of the engine and its crew operating a working engine on the railroad.

[@isaiahwilliams2642]

I hope UP goes all out and has 4014 tow a full length revenue freight of at least 100 cars.

[@AtkataffTheAlpha]

3985 I think hauled over 130 so big boy would have to haul at least 140 freight cars to show his strength and to complete a new piece of repeated history

[@Falkirion]

Just looking at the work the fireman is doing is amazing. Nothing but clear smoke under load except for the wheel slip which got corrected quickly enough you get a few puffs of black before going back to clear. Always love seeing Big Boys doing their thing

[@spartangoku7610]

Uh, doesn’t 4014 have a fuel pump since being converted to fuel oil?

[@NorthmassRails]

This is the type of thing that keeps the railroad fun and feeling ALIVE!! Thanks for sharing😊

[@flickcentergaming680]

What a beautiful, powerful locomotive. I'd love to see her in person some day.

[@trailingrails9953]

Never heard the large lad have stack talk that sharp and snappy. So frickin neat. If the 4015 is at N1, it’s probably only making up for the mustard cars behind it, if even that much.

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

This was very impressive and enjoyable to see a UP "big boy" locomotive operating in mainline freight service once again as this activity hasn't occurred since July 1959. It is always an amazing sight to see steam locomotives in freight service and big boy 4014 delivered an incredible performance shoving this stalled freight train and keeping the mainline from being blocked.

[@FanRailer]

I wish there was a video from the engineer's side of this move so we could see how far open they've got the throttle open.

[@danielhomant2832]

I've had to do something similar before while trucking. Came upon a broke down rig on a 2 lane road at the bottom of a hill. The wrecker was several hours out and it was a bad spot for traffic. So, we grabbed his spare tire and hung it on the back of his trailer at the level of my bumper and I pushed against him with my truck. Both of our trucks were loaded, he had engine power so could steer and brake but his driveshaft blew out so he couldn't drive. I shoved him up the hill while dragging my trailer and got him to a place he could safely get off the road and wait for the wrecker without obstructing traffic. It was fun.

[@johnwoodall3791]

Now that is what I call Horse Power. What a Classic Locomotive. Great Video. Regards

[@firewolf2079]

I've noticed something with multi engine set locos (articulated, duplex, garratt). You still get 4 very distinct chuffs, even with wheelsets off from eachother. You never seem to get a strange offset chuff. As hyce puts it, steam locos are religious to hear. The heavy chuffs, rod clanks, the whir of the dynamo. It certainly was a time that I wish I could've experienced when steam ruled.

[@C.I...]

That's what I noticed too - surely the beats should be off-rhythm now that the sets are misaligned in terms of rotation/timing?

[@davidty2006]

To me steam engines moving feel and sound like mechanical versions of horses.

[@benpluta3924]

Remindes me of when 3985 helped a stranded intermodal so many years ago!

[@strasburgrailfan90]

Lovin’ these breakdowns man! Can’t wait to see more in the future

[@lordsherifftakari4127]

the best way to tell if a Diesel is working hard is to just listen to it. in Run-8, that Prime Mover is Roaring and the turbos are screaming for all they are worth. in many cases with a Diesel riding shotgun behind a Steamer is for in Cab Signalling. the Diesel is also there for backup power should something happen and they need to shut the steamer down and get it into a siding to clear the main. since Big Boy returned to steam, this is NOT it's first time operating on a Revenue Run. in fact, occasionally it will pull Revenue trains to assist in paying it's way to cover it's maintenance and upkeep costs.

[@kollinspencer847]

bigboy pushing freight and not just passenger cars??? wow cool!

[@daesmith3274]

Watching 4014 I can hear my grandpa telling me and my dad "I'm still tougher then you!"

[@jackhoughton942]

When i was younger my grandmother took me to the same museum in California where big boy was and i sat in the cab and blew the whistle on compressed air and oh how i would love to do it again i wasnt able to understand what i had done until i came home and figured out i was sitting on big boy 4014 and soon wanted to return to see it again but it was to late he had been taken but with the best news of renewal so it is on my bucket list to finally blow that whistle just one more time This is an amazing video hyce keep up the amazing work best work has to be hands down K37 kitchen would love some tips on pizza dough recipes if you have any have an amazing day

[@Kissfan113]

I grew up around Cass, WV and the logging railroad there, the giant rod engines like the UP Big Boy and C&O Allegheny always fascinated me, Ive had the opportunity to work on and around the Shay, Heisler and Climax engines in Cass including a once in a lifetime opportunity to pilot the Western Maryland Shay #6 (162 tons, the last, 2nd largest Shay type engine Lima Locomotive Works ever produced, and largest still in existence today) some years ago during my employment there. Keep the videos rolling, I am enjoying the content greatly.

[@TheCobraCommander]

You know, a documentation of UP 844 covered a similar scenario in which the 844 helped a stalled train up Sherman Hill on a return trip to Cheyenne one year.

[@HobbiesRfun]

Imagine how awesome it must have been being a railfan getting to see, and hear 4014, and it's siblings hauling one hundred car freights up Sherman Hill in the 1940s to the mid 1950s.

[@roadtrain_]

She just rolled up to that train so calmly, knuckled in, and PUSHED. That was absolutely mesmerising to watch... she was working, and she was working hard. And she was putting all the diesels to shame in the process.

[@737Garrus]

I love how the Big Boy has twice the valve gear. It's Certified Bonkers!

[@keithdonaldson3945]

Saw that clip a half hour ago. Glad I'm not the only one impressed. That wheel spin at 9:28 (original vid time mark) not going to happen as a ride along. Glad to see your commentary follow up.

[@aaronrodgers4799]

This could be the start of a new era of steam locomotives. I know that a lot of people think that electric locomotives are the future of the modern railroad (and they are probably right), but this shows the power of steam locomotives and their true potential on the rails. With all the efforts to restore and re-engineer steam locomotives to run on more eco-friendly materials like oil or cooking oil (that's right, folks, cooking oil--the same kind that comes from the fryers in restaurants all across the world), a case could be made that steam locomotives might play important roles besides being fancy tourist attractions. They could work on the rails (probably on branch lines or non-commuter lines, as I think the people in charge of the railroads might have issues with a steam locomotive running on the main lines), hauling cargo and passengers. Good work, Bigboy, and good video Hyce.

[@pvs1681]

That last boxcar…..such a lucky shag…..got knuckled by the bigboi

[@2peaseinapod486]

I thinkj its fantastic that the big boy got to use its insane power. I think the union pacific should use the big boy for a special freight train like 3985 did in the 90s

[@mfee2079]

Anyone who says the Big Boy is all show needs to watch the first test run where the diesel was screaming in full dynamic breaking and the 4014 was just chugging along like the diesel wasn't even there. I believe (could be wrong) that the engineer in the diesel did an interview saying he couldn't believe that the 4014 dragged his Loco like it wasn't even there

[@jesseusgrantcanales]

This makes me happy on SO many levels, and laugh hysterically. It must be a Union Pacific thing to have their steamers rescue stranded modern freights. :P

[@noisefuljoy]

Echoes of then 8444 shown pushing a stalled freight on National Geographic's "Love Those Trains" video.

[@erictaylor5462]

I can not get over how big that thing is.

[@andrewframe8046]

I've never heard an engine like this work, only the mallet types that reuse the steam and all that. I was always frustrated that they never worked 4014 very hard (very understandably), and so I was very excited to finally hear it. This is the kind of steam operation that hasn't happened in decades, and might never happen again with an engine that's built like she is. And yeah, oil firing at it's finest. Firing valve wide open as soon as you feel the wheels start to go, and then back to where you were. Just a big, brief glug of oil to keep the firebox hot and not suck in any cold air, and back to a clean stack within seconds.

[@Hyce777]

I share your exact sentiments, mate. Very cool this happened.

[@redwolfpiping5701]

844 pushed a stalled train years ago, this time it was 4014 to up show the diesels

[@CrazyThomasFan]

Now that is just a beauty, Big Boy returns to steam and puts s Vacation on hold to help a stranded freight train. what A Story

[@bmcewen65]

Great video. Yes, Ed finally puts the 4014 to work..

[@M22TONK]

day 8 of saying chicken nugget to random youtube vids

[@cattythecat9161]

just pure muscles...Incredible peace of work. I admire, how precise they can handle this large monster. One question i have to ask. why does she got three tenders? two for wate and one vor oil?

[@MRantzWI]

Wow. So, I've never really been a big train/locomotive guy, but, recently I've been getting fed more & more of these videos, and I know why. So, full disclosure - I've been led down this trail by the algorithm because I've been consumed with news & updates from East Palestine & the disgusting negligence of Norfolk Southern in how they handled that epic disaster. So, that's been the bad part, but, out of the darkness comes some light ! And that's watching these BEASTS do their thing!! Honestly, I felt just as exited and amped up as Hyce was here in this video !! I mean, the SOUND of these work horses, gives me goose bumps. Makes me wanna be one the crew, and keep her running it top shape! Doesn't take much to hear and feel how much power she's got in there... like she's just ready to take off-but being held back and in control by the engineers.. just awesome! Thanks for the share !

[@polarjet1833]

Man after that wheel slip 4014 sounded absolutely mean pushing that freight, sounded beautiful

[@ArnCital]

kudos to the engineer and crew

[@tomedgar4375]

I’ve watched 4014 sit in Pomonafor years, warms my heart to see her working

[@jerryvanzant]

That's why they should have that engine pulling they occasional freight.

[@4dads823]

Austin on the firemans seat, recognise the second biggest smile on the footplate any day (behind Ed's)

[@curagaifrit6829]

2nd class fireman studying for his 3rd class engineers license. I love this shit

[@jmazoso]

I remember seeing the Big Boy on the first big trip. You expect it to be big, but its so much bigger, its ginormous. They had stopped for a grease and water break. the ground shook when it started. Tim Taylor would approve.

[@patricksheary2219]

Hi Mark, I absolutely love the Big Boy, he is a beautiful machine for sure with awe inspiring sound. I dream of seeing him in person some day! It would also be a pleasure to meet Mr. Ed Dickens and his ultra fab steam team, OMG! Great video by Otto the Rail Fan! A wow catch on the wheel slipping. As usual Mark your excellent commentary and descriptive detail helps me understand what I’m seeing. Cheers to you Professor for another awesome episode!

[@SchererProductionServices]

Great to see Big Boy REALLY showing it's power!!!

[@stevenhickman6059]

It may have exceeded its scheduled load, but it was probably didn’t operate out of its scheduled window. Maintenance and fuel is a nightmare, which is why they run with a helper most of the time.

[@stevemarrazzo7226]

That 4015 sounds like it's in isolate and just running the hep engine for the passenger coach

[@gababoy1237]

the big boy was like: hold my rakija

[@wildcatindustries8030]

I know these locomotives are a limited resource and people try to be gentle with them to make them last. But we seen 3985 work a freight, I would love to see 4014 absolutely work it’s guts out hustling a realistic sized freight like they were made to do, just once. One thing I always wish I could have seen in person, and if I had a Time Machine I would, is a Y6b working it’s guts out on a coal drag, and 4014 hustling a heavy freight at 50-60mph would be a great substitute

[@BrooksMoses]

Yup. Though, if you're wishing, go for one of the coal trains from Roanoke up to Blue Ridge, with a pair of Ys on the head end and another one pushing, echoing across the valley. I have a slide with a photo of that, and the person who took the photo was impressed enough to put something like "the music was incredible!" on the slide mount along with the info. Even with recordings, I can only begin to imagine.

[@mini_grzesio2160]

Fun fact: Front Driven-Wheel bogie slips, because it's articulated "Mallet" locomotive where most of mass rests on the rear rigid driven bogie, even though front driven wheels are powered with low-pressure steam via flextubes (low-pressure steam is required, because Flextubes were used unlike in the rear wheels where were located normal pipes with high-pressure steam)

[@demonblood8964]

There are two types of articulated steam trains one is a simple articulated uses high pressure steam on both front and rear bogies. While the other like a Mallet is compound articulated uses high pressure rear with low pressure front. In a Mallet when the high pressure steam gets released from the rear bogie it is sent to the front as low pressure to power the front bogie but in order to use low pressure the front cylinders are made bigger than the rear cylinders it's an attempt to be more efficient by using the same steam twice. Where as the Big Boy is a simple articulated it uses high pressure in both front and rear bogies you can tell the difference since both cylinders front and rear are the same size.

[@adamrosenhamer3762]

i think that the railroads should take their heritage engines and just run them in consists. would be awesome to see steam locos just rolling by with freight again

[@OffGridUrbanist]

Very rarely do we get to see something that is simultaneously both pragmatic and romantic.

[@manhunter433]

4014: This "old man" will show you how we got things done in my day.

[@sbmallik2]

Great to see Big Boy back on rails in full fury!! Loved your lively commentary!!

[@anthem7582]

nice video Hyce it great to see and hear the big boy doing what it was made for glad to see the loco thats been build to haul big trains during its time doing it many years later

[@tdog-jy1pp]

The Big Boy is one of the most badass beasts of a steam locomotive and I seriously hope to see her one day.

[@garthbarrett6067]

Good Lord! What a Beast. Amazing what men are able to do to design and build such an awesome machine.

[@Nergal8621]

I had the great pleasure to go see 4014 on its first trip to Omaha after the restoration, marvelous piece of engineering. Also there is a static display of another Big Boy at Lauritzen Gardens here in Omaha that I have been to on many occasions.

[@sonicfan117dash2]

“Once the engineer on his hero throne had cracked the throttle to start the tons ‘a rollin’, it took some doing to hold Big Boy back!”

[@robertgift]

*DPU* 4014 finally doesomething useful since restoration.

[@cartermaloof4980]

Absolutely fantastic watching the different vidoes and short clips of this behemoth doing what it was built for, I definitely would love to travel to America and see one of these in person.

[@andrewreynolds912]

Amazing to see her once again show the power of her class as she is the most powerful steam locomotive in the world

[@dangerdoo9193]

The diesel I believe is primarily for brake assist and to create some form of resistance to help with the big boys power as that train was built to pull over 100 miles or freight train cars so it was built with power in mind.

[@silicon212]

5:54 certainly sounds like a 710 in high idle or notch 1.

[@Hyce777]

Agreed; I'm more familiar with the 645's. We did get some 710's in the shop I worked at but they weren't our bread and butter.

[@a3nofficial25]

This right here can turn any railfan into a foamer holy shit, just the fact that Big Boy was pulling its own train and the crew casually said "ye it can push that" and they werent even at full power

[@realdapperdice]

This same thing happened with the Highball back in the 90s I wanna say. The locomotive pushed an 11,000 pound train with no helpers or forward power up the westbound grade.

[@whatusernameis5295]

so big boy finally got to play again

[@davidfuller581]

My first thought when I saw the clips was "damn, steam locos don't bark like that unless they're putting some serious power into it"... and lo and behold, the valve gear agrees.

[@Spencer067]

Reminds me of I think 844 when that one helped a frieght train. Always really cool seeing the steam locomotives helping the the struggling diesels 😅

[@patrickshaw8595]

Been watching KZbin since Day One and this is THE coolest thing I ever saw.

[@russellgxy2905]

Thank you so much for the explanations, I've yet to see steam up close and I'm far from an expert so this puts everything into perspective It's CRAZY how much this mirros 844's Archer Hill rescue, wheelpslip and everything!!!

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

My railroading uncle told me once that slack action can kill people if not done properly. It is also responsible for a lot of cargo damage. You can also break a knuckle and have your train break into that's why they always keep spare knuckles on the cab of the locomotive.

[@xXxDeamonlordxXx]

Who can say "They dont work the Big Boy" when they see the whole front slipping? Nonsense! This Loco does exactly what it was designed to do: Pushing half of the earth, while pulling the other half behind! Steam Engines are still such awesome maschines. You can try to replace them as good as you want, but there is only one Real Deal, and it´s pushing two diesels with a train, and another one behind it.