The absolute size of the worlds biggest Steam Engines - UP "Big Boys"

In today's video, we take a look at the Union Pacific's Big Boy locomotives, the biggest and most awe-inspiring engines to run on rails
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[@TrainFactGuy]

I believe this is what cat people would call a "heccin chonker"

[@anareel4562]

Big Chungus

[@drdewott9154]

OH LAWD HE COMIN

[@The_Republic_of_Ireland]

🤣🤣🤣

[@nickthompson9697]

You can feel the heat from 2 meters away.

[@UntouchedWagons]

@@drdewott9154 AROUND THE MOUNTAIN WHEN HE COMES

[@voltsiano116]

I love the story of how they got their name. Imagine a small joke that you made in the last hours of your shift, probably only getting a slight chuckle out of you, gets taken up on by the company itself as the official name of the project.

[@viquezug3936]

A small what? There's a missing word

[@connormclernon26]

@@viquezug3936probably doodle

[@mattevans4377]

And that's why UP was the best. Because they valued their workers.

[@Tank50us]

Not the only time it would happen. The press took one look at the B-17 and called it a "Flying Fortress", Boeing liked the name so much they called dibs and apparently so did the USAAF.

[@voltsiano116]

@@viquezug3936 "joke" Thanks, lol

[@anareel4562]

I remember going to Pennsylvania on vacation, we would stop in Scranton a few times to visit the railroad museum located there. I was probably 8 or 9 at the time and I remember asking a museum staff member if the Big Boy would ever run under it's own steam again, standing beside it as a young boy it was such a huge beast of iron. I was told it would never happen as it would cost far too much for anyone to be interested. When I heard UP was going to restore 4014 for excursion service I felt like a kid again, I've yet to been able to make it out to see him ride the high iron yet but plan on doing so soon. Such a marvel they designed this masterpiece of engineering back when they did, like the old battleships, just something about the old technology that was so far ahead of it's time almost.

[@SlaggyJoe]

4012 is still looking pretty good there, I saw it a year ago. Definitely will never run again, but it looks like they at least take care of it

[@anareel4562]

@@SlaggyJoe last time I was there was the late 90s and she wasn't in the best shape then, the Hudson was their star at the time. It's good to see them take care of such history

[@aidanwewilin]

I had a similar experience seeing that big boy in scranton. Absolute beast of an engine for sure lol.

[@00Zy99]

I had exactly the same experience-saw 4012 in Scranton, asked if it would run, got told no, and almost literally wept for joy when I heard 4014 was coming back. I really had a hard time believing it until I saw the videos documenting them pulling her out of the museum (which bizarrely got taken down-why UP?).

[@ZackarySchejbalCODBO2RGM2]

@@00Zy99 I got to see 4014 up close in person when she came to Chicago. I was not the only one in the family. In fact my dad's side of the family (majority) went to see her. Millions got to see 4014!

[@benh3518]

Last February some friends and I were at a convention in Dallas and we headed over to the Frisco Heritage Center where the Museum of the American Railroad is, the (under construction) home of Big Boy 4018. Its sheer size dwarfs everything around it - INCLUDING the DDA40X also in the museum's collection, the largest diesel ever built! - and only by standing next to the Big Boy do you really even comprehend the level of power these things were capable of even if the machine itself is no longer functional. Also, I'm not sure if this is 100% true, but I read that during WWII, German spies in the USA reported back to Germany that there were gigantic steam engines hauling mile long trains through the mountains. The German Intelligence disregarded these reports as 'unrealistic' which I find hysterical given the absolutely insane stuff Germany actually built around the same time, but somehow GIANT STEAM ENGINE was more unrealistic than the Maus or the Do 229.

[@roadtrain_]

Or you know... Gustav.

[@00Zy99]

I suspect more than a little racism/chauvinism in that. After all, only the GLORIOUS PURE ARYANS could achieve great things, not the American mongrels.

[@OfficialTrainzGod]

my guy really said "go big or go home"

[@nathanielcruz6675]

The Big Boys also had a pretty good safety record. On April 27th, 1953, Big Boy #4005 was hauling a freight train when it derailed by the switch that diverts into a siding as it was going 50 mph (80km/h). The engineer and fireman were killed, but the front brakeman survived with serious injuries. He later passed away at the hospital from his injuries. It found that the switch was fiddled by two inexperienced men. As for #4005, it was sent to the UP's Cheyenne facility where it was rebuild and returned to service. A different tender was used. It was retired in 1957, and was donated to the Forney Transportation Museum in Denver, CO. Where it remains on static display. The Big Boys also played an important role of delivering military equipment to the allies to win WW2.

[@norliasmith]

The fact UP saw a problem and made a heckin chonker of a locomotive that was more powerful than anticipated is the definition of mid 1900s USA.

[@Gail1Marie]

I saw 4014 at the RailGiants Museum in Pomona, California, before Union Pacific "repossessed" it to restore it. (You could climb up into the cab, and I did.) After it was returned to service, my husband and I went to Barstow to see it on its tour. Don't miss the chance if you can see it. It's really THAT BIG. Good on Union Pacific for maintaining its steam program, and on the dedicated crew that keep 4014 rolling.

[@09JDCTrainMan]

I got a couple of suggestions: The N&W J 4-8-4, a phenomenal locomotive that was so mechanically well constructed, when compared to a Southern Railway passenger diesel-electric, the J was actually less expensive to maintain. They were also so well balanced, that they were able to run at 110 mph with just 70" driving wheels, and maybe even faster, among other such positives such as having the highest tractive effort of any 4-8-4 without a booster and smooth as silk ride quality. They also represented the pinnacle of steam technology along with the class A 2-6-6-4 and Y6 2-8-8-2. The C&O Allegheny H-8. Quite possibly the ultimate Superpower steam locomotive, with its enormous firebox and boiler, able to generate up to 7,498 drawbar horsepower at 46 mph. The Allegheny has a very interesting story. I recommend reading the book, The Allegheny - Lima's Finest, by Eugene Huddleston and Thomas Dixon Jr. for sources.

[@ARG0T]

This

[@ZackarySchejbalCODBO2RGM2]

Yeah! Apparently 611 still runs freight to this day

[@philpots48]

I remember seeing one at Steamtown when it was in Bellows Falls, Vermont in 1973. I'd love to see one running.

[@kristoffermangila]

You haven't seen #UP4014 running around? Heck, #UnionPacific has just released its upcoming excursion schedule a few week ago!

[@DanielWoodhurst]

IN 1956,we lived in Alta California.I would walk home from school.The rail road tracks were not far from home?I would watch the train,There was a Cab Forward Big Boyfirst,2nd. Was another Big Boy.As the train went by there was a pusher Big Boy.You could hear some whistle talk, then like magic you could only one engine all three were running exactly together.I would lay down on the ground to watch and the ground would shake.Wonderful.

[@thecrazytruckdude10]

I finally got to see a big boy in person in Cheyenne Wyoming last summer and let me say it was an awesome experience. As a kid I grew up watching train shows and the big boy was always my favorite. I can't really convey the truly immense size of this thing that you can really only appreciate when you are standing in its massive shadow. They are amazing pieces of engineering and I'm glad to see them covered on this great channel!

[@alexburcham900]

They are Beautiful

[@jovanweismiller7114]

I've been in the cab of a Big Boy. I grew up in a division point on the UP. One of them was on its way to a museum. When it came through town, as part of a train, not under steam, I got to climb into the cab. It was HUGE, especially to a pre-teen!

[@captainryusugi1128]

Soviets in the 30s: *frustrated* Union Pacific in 2016: Let's resurrect a dinosaur!

[@pilotbug6100]

I saw one in my home state (Wisconsin) 4017 Will never forget

[@russetwolf13]

I remember when the Big Boy stopped at Ogden on her big tour. She stopped right alongside our Big Blow, 26. As Big as these trains are, the Super Turbines are even bigger.

[@Gearz-365]

Back in 2021 I got the opportunity to see Big Boy 4014 passing through a neighboring town I was living in during the time. Got the opportunity to see a railroad legend in person and up close

[@JOHNKESSLER88]

I have VHS tapes i use to watch as a kid with one of them showing these trains and it wasn't until 2021 i stopped in Scranton PA to see the one they have on display and these trains are massive in person,all the pins and linkages are huge and have to swing around going in and out just to go 40mph.Its amazing that it was built and balanced way before computers.

[@legitchristian8498]

We need all of them back on the rails

[@corbinpeacock8722]

I got to see 4014 in person when it came to Oklahoma last time it came down here. I took a day to follow it throughout most of the state. It was one of the best experiences in my life.

[@davidgrisez]

These Big Boy steam locomotives that came near the end of the steam era were the ultimate in large, powerful steam locomotives. However they were a lot more expensive than diesel electric locomotives to maintain and operate. So it was inevitable that in commercial use diesel electric locomotives would replace steam locomotives. However because steam locomotives have a unique appeal to most people with all the sounds, steam, and external moving parts, some steam locomotives have been restored and put to use for tourism, special excursions and use as historical legacy equipment.

[@DuderSkanks]

Having seen #4017 at the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, nothing really gives you the sense of scale of this locomotive like seeing it up close yourself.

[@kristoffermangila]

And then compare it to LNER A4 60008 Dwight D. Eisenhower, it just reinforces just how big a Big Boy is.

[@MidwesternRailfan]

Despite popular belief, the longest steam locomotive ever built was not the Union Pacific Big Boy class. The Big Boys were 132 feet long, but the Pennsylvania S1 was 140 feet long. Only one example was built in 1939 and was scrapped in 1949 but it was inefficient and the Pennsylvania Railroad was in financial troubles.

[@TheGs4_4449]

These are some of the best!

[@totallyahuman.2955]

I got to see this absolute unit of a train once. They recently had restored one to working condition and had been touring so. The wheels on it alone are like up to my shoulders. It's insane honestly, all powered by steam pressure and some gears.

[@Shadowtiger2564]

I'd argue the last hura of steam locomotives was in Japan. They didn't fully retire all steam until 1974 and there where several famous (at least in Japan) pulled until retirement. Such as the Niseko express that was a double headed steam express. Even then many went from service straight to static or live preservation

[@Johndoe-jd]

I would like to argue that the last hura of steam belongs to the Union Pacific with their northern type number 844. I say this because she was delivered to the UP in 1944 and burn coal. Then in 1946 burn oil. She has never been retired or removed from the UP’s roster since delivery. So technically the Union Pacific never fully dieselized because of her

[@rav_productions2136]

When people complain that American engines look quote on quote "ugly" I just sip my tea and say "we can haul way more plus our strongest loco is legit called Big Boi what's not to love"

[@roadtrain_]

Tbh the early american steamers were gorgeous and things like the Big Boy shouldn't look pretty. It was made to work long and hard and they genuinely demand respect with their appearance. And tbh, I don't even think they look that bad.

[@kristoffermangila]

Um, some C&O fanboys are looking to have a word with you about the Big Boy being the strongest steam locomotive in America...

[@nickthompson9697]

I saw BB 4014 in Dalton.

[@Peppercorn60163Tornado]

In awe at the size of this lad *A B S O L U T E U N I T*

[@thomasmanyt]

saw the last one ever in service. The wheels were bigger than me!

[@BeanofETG]

I have family in Green Bay, Wisconsin and I frequented the railroad museum there and basically grew up measuring my height next to #4017’s wheels until my adult life, where I was taller than it.

[@douglasboyle6544]

Being an American rail fan of a certain age I never much cared for steam locomotives because they were before my time, that was until I heard about the Big Boys then I knew I had to hunt one down and see for myself just what all the fuss was about. And holy Hell THEY ARE BIG. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big they are.

[@Vallyent]

Modern engines may have speed but older locomotives have the power

[@theimaginationstation1899]

Easily Union Pacific's fourth best class of steam locomotive!

[@sorshiaemms5959]

BIG BOY BAD ASS my favorite Mallet type locomotive

[@w33shy26]

The Giga Chad's of Steam Locomotives

[@michaelnaisbitt7926]

Until you see a BIG BOY close up you cannot comprehend the shear size of these locomotives THEY ARE GARGANTUAN if I had y way I would restore anotherso double headed trains could be run 😊😊😊

[@naw611rules6]

The Big Boys Union Pacifics ideology that they need one massive engine per train instead of numerous smaller engines per train.

[@thatfamiiiarnight3665]

my ideology is communist

[@enjoyingend1939]

@@thatfamiiiarnight3665 your ideology is wrong

[@laurencefraser]

And then they ended up double heading all over the show anyway.

[@kristoffermangila]

Well, they did pull a lot of long trains by themselves (especially after WW2) but during WW2, the military traffic was too much.

[@thatonecaledonian812]

I’m surprised that it took this long

[@connorflaherty175]

If you ask me regarding 4014, I have always said that Steve Lee would have been very proud of 4014’s restoration.

[@sambrown6426]

U.P. Big Boys do not hold the absolute record for length. Both the C&O and N&W steam turbine-electric locomotives were longer, measuring in at 154 ft 3⁄4 in (46.96 m) and 161 ft 1+1⁄2 in (49.11 m) respectfully, compared to Big Boy's 132 ft 9+1⁄4 in (40.47 m). All of these measurements include the tenders btw.

[@clonecommando-cn6bo]

For Halloween they need to paint one of them green to resemble the marvel hero the Incredible Hulk for being so huge. I’m so thankful to see it

[@TheStickCollector]

Nice

[@NorthandSouthLineR.R.]

Maybe there will be more American locomotive related videos

[@ThunderboltSirenStudios]

Actually the Pennsylvania S1 was 140 feet long and i think just a bit heavier than big boy (Not quite sure about the weight)

[@chessiesystem613]

The PRR Q2 duplex freight locomotives were longer and had more horsepower (by almost 2000hp), and the GN R-2 beats the 4000s in tractive effort by 30,000lb

[@stuff___idontknow2610]

I got to see a big boy on display outside the union pacific depot it Cheyenne Wyoming and yeah these things are massive, the driving wheels alone were as tall if not taller than me.

[@TopHatTyson]

Yo did you know the Salida grade is consider one of the steepest railroad grades in the united states

[@Ian-qs3fz]

I thought the challengers already had walscherts valve gear

[@09JDCTrainMan]

They do

[@High_Green_Productions]

There was actually something bigger. It was the C&I M1 Steam Turbine.

[@skylark6167]

I suspect the Baldwin triplexes may have been bigger too, although I guess unlike the big boy none of these were especially successful.

[@kennethhanks6712]

Here again we have the problem as what is largest: length, weight, horsepower, traction effort, some combination(s) of these? Probably best to go with is Big Boys were "largest" production types that had a number built and fairly long service life whereas C&O turbine, Jawn Henry, etc were one off experimentals with VERY short careers.

[@sambrown6426]

@@kennethhanks6712 Actually, the C&O had 3 M1 class steam turbine-electrics built, and they were originally designed to pull the Chessie streamliner, though those plans never came to be.

[@kennethhanks6712]

@@sambrown6426 Point taken there were 3 of the C&O turbine electrics (and they were a game effort) but even that not really a "production run or fleet". The fact that they were made for Chessie and when that train did not fly they, with their issues and dieselization on the horizon, could find no other usage and were soon gone was fairly definitive.

[@sambrown6426]

@@kennethhanks6712 All very fair points.

[@harrisonallen651]

Big is good

[@1258-Eckhart]

I assume trhey were fitted with mechanical stokers.

[@davidv5510]

Dont know wanted to ask the same thing

[@09JDCTrainMan]

Yes

[@gamerfan8445]

Bit of an error, the Big boys aren’t the heaviest steam locomotives ever built. The DM&IR Yellowstone are heavier than the big boys and a bit stronger.

[@09JDCTrainMan]

Actually, no. The Big Boy weighs more than the DM&IR Yellowstone. The first 20 Big Boys weigh 1,189,500 lbs while the Yellowstones weigh 1,133,040 lbs. However, the Yellowstones do have more adhesive weight. The Yellowstones have 560,257 lbs of adhesive weight while the last 5 Big Boys have 545,200 lbs of adhesive weight.

[@gamerfan8445]

@@09JDCTrainMan sources?

[@09JDCTrainMan]

@@gamerfan8445 Look it up

[@lucmarchand617]

This locomotive so much power house will shake near 1 miles away.people was piss when they put landry outside big boys smoke coal dust fall on Landry outside.

[@Bardsbrothersrailroad]

There’s a bigger piston steam locomotive. The PRR S1 Duplex

[@blackstone1a]

I forget where I heard this from but my favorite story involving Big Boys was when some German PoWs saw one in action with a hundred cars loaded with tanks and other pieces of "bad guy to baloney mist" technology and realized how screwed they were.

[@Colt45hatchback]

Sounds like war propaganda to me, but its plausible i guess, did they bring pows back to the us during the war? I would have thought storing them in england or an occupied territory would be more cost efficient

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

@@Colt45hatchback Plenty of German POWs in the US, all over the country. Some did escape, I think all but one were caught. The one who stayed free has a great story. Memory says he escaped just before Germany surrendered, so he was no longer a POW, and he eventually married and then 20-30 years later, turned himself in, and the immigration bureaucrats couldn't figure out what to do with him. He had not entered the country illegally, he hadn't overstayed a tourist or student visa, and finally they just gave up trying to prosecute him.

[@cykablyatman6242]

​@@grizwoldphantasia5005 i wonder if 4005 had a nickname before it died the first time 😂

[@ffjsb]

@@Colt45hatchback Yes, there were HUNDREDS of thousands of POW's interred alll over the US, some as far west as California. They undoubtedly would be transported by train, and would've seen the massive US industrial complex, realize the size of the US, thus coming to the obvious conclusion that they were screwed...

[@generalhorse493]

@@Colt45hatchback German Intelligence services were pretty crap in WW2 (not as bad Japan's but still terrible), and outside of counterespionage and hunting partisans failed pretty hard and everything they tried to do. They were genuinely surprised by the FD 2-10-2 locomotive the soviets had, not to mention the sheer numbers of soviet reinforcements and unwillingness to give up of soviet soldiers and citizenry. Apparently, they had an agent report a vague description of the big boys or a similar steam freight giant back to German spy HQ, but HQ didn't believe that such a steam engine of that size could exist let alone operate efficiently, so they dismissed the report out of hand.

[@mackiefarrell]

I can't even imagine what it would have been like to operate an engine that size in service. The amount of power available must have felt unreal.

[@polbecca]

6290 horsepower at the cylinders at full power, which is quite a lot even for a 21st century diesel locomotive. But the record also states that coal consumption was 44,000 lbs per hour at full power - nearly 20 tonnes - which is an enormous amount. And yet it also goes to show how much energy is in coal if only we could have captured it fully. Steam engines are only 5-10% efficient. Andre Chapelon's magnificent no.242A1 compound produced 5500hp, yet weighed less than half that of the UP 4000s, albeit with a tractive effort understandably also only half.

[@ZackarySchejbalCODBO2RGM2]

I got to see 4014 up close in real life when she rolled into Chicago. Absolute fucking unit! She's so big that some turns she cannot do due to size! But even smaller engines like the N&W 611 can still do freight runs! So, I see big boy as like a real unit of a hauler!

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@polbeccait wasn’t even good quality coal, if it was better quality it would have had less consumption changing the numbers even more

[@ThatScottishAtlantic57]

If these where British, they probably be called "Huge Lads." Great vid btw 👍

[@warmstrong5612]

If they were Australian they'd be "Massive C*nts".

[@cleanerben9636]

Nah. They'd be called "the old wife"

[@sebastianthomsen2225]

@@cleanerben9636 HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEH! 🤣😂👌

[@DouglasWalrath]

Large Lads

[@carsonburnham657]

Had the absolute privilege of seeing 4014 during the last tour, and there really is no substitute for seeing the real thing run. The sheer size and power of the engine running at speed is enough to shake the ground under your feet. Truly a magical experience

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

I was standing trackside, 10-15 feet away on an embankment in the Sierras when a 4-6-6-4 Challenger thundered uphill, doubleheading with (I think) some 4-8-4 and the obligatory diesel. Feeling the ground shake was a good reminder of why railroads phased out steam for diesels.

[@WhitzWolf92]

@@grizwoldphantasia5005 I'm doubtful the ground shaking was a major consideration. I grew up about half a mile from some CSX tracks and those diesels could get the whole house rattling and shaking. There were many times that I felt a late night (or super early morning) train run by while lying in my bed on the 2nd floor. Unless you mean the shaking the engines experience, on the other hand, yeah - the maintenance that required was (probably) one of the biggest reasons for the change.

[@roseannedenham2591]

I absolutely love these locomotives. I always felt that these technological giants were the biggest example of combining brute strength, massive size, intriguing design, and American engineering. I have never actually seen one of these, because the FRM doesn't have any in it, but seeing this is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for finally making a video on these guys, ToT! Have a great day.

[@southsidediy]

As an American who loves UK steam, its interesting hearing a British person describe the most American🦅 of American locomotives. Just hearing you use terminology like shunting, footplate, and bogies in regards to the Big Boys is equally compelling and hilarious. Cheers, I love your channel. I get a little embarrased when I accidently say things like bogie around my railfan friends. Outing myself as a closeted Thomas foamer lol.

[@ffjsb]

Except that the driving wheels aren't mounted on bogies... Just the pilot and trailing wheels.

[@TheEldritchHyena]

I'm American as well (specifically from Nebraska) and being a zoomer who grew up watching Thomas the Tank Engine, British Steam was my first love when it came to trains. But as I've gotten older I've come to appreciate American trains a lot more, but I still use British terminology a lot of the time. I really don't have a lot of friends who are into trains to appease given most of the railfans in my area are old enough to be my Grandpa and it feels really weird to be in a room full of baby boomers when I'm only 20. :|

[@lakelandbuzz2252]

The big boys are certainly impressive, but you forgot to mention their wider gauge cousins. The HeftyBoy, The MegaBoy and the "Oh lawd he comin'"

[@484berkshire]

How could you forget the biggest one of all? "Absolute Unit".

[@lakelandbuzz2252]

@@484berkshire The export version to Australia, right?

[@lukechristmas3951]

The Big Boys are icons of American Railroads! Wonderful that they have a video now on your channel. I always loved the story of how they got their names. We will never know the identity of that worker but he left his mark on history. Real legend whoever he is.

[@FanRailer]

The PRR S1 duplexes were actually longer than the big boys.

[@tonythetanuki]

As a wise man once said "Damn boy he THICC!"

[@HailHydra27]

The Flying Scotsman: couldn't actually fly Mallard: not really a duck But the big boys, well...

[@catapultking8861]

What I don’t think a lot of folks realize is these engines were built in Schenectady Works of ALCo… *All the way across the country in NY.* So these locomotives took a Cross country journey to get to their intended home and region of work.

[@kimpatz2189]

They were transported dead... Side rods removed and an empty tender. They have to strengthen the route quite a bit just to haul them out of the east. The Boys would be hauled on some other railroad tracks and dwarf every locomotive they come across.

[@catapultking8861]

Well now you got me thinking, would they have come across one of the D&H J Class Challengers? NYC 0-8-8-0 Angus’ wouldn’t have been anywhere near them as they would’ve been tucked away in a Hump Yard while the Erie I don’t believe had any big Mallets of note at the time.

[@thecpmr6276]

​@@kimpatz2189Still cool they traveled that far, even if not under their own power.

[@DistanceNsVeterans]

​@@kimpatz2189Sending on what Locomotive it is, Some locomotives are as tall as big boy since all American Locomotives Are up to 16ft. However most Of the New York Central Locomotives are a limit of 15ft only, so I can see what you mean by dwarf.

[@MiguelVilla1234]

I hear Banjo-Kazooie music... autolike enabled

[@Ohiotrucker1]

As history in the dark would say, "BIG CHUNGIS."

[@alwaysbearded1]

Thanks for taking a look at this engine. I hope they run excursions near enough so I can take a trip to see this engine live. I want to see it up close and highballing. I'm a bit disappointed you were not able to use footage of the restored Big Boy in action or old footage. It is impressive! I heard one of the KZbinrs I watch who had just come back from watching Big Boy pass near his house. He was like a giddy, like an excited child. He said you can feel the engine shake the ground when it is a long way off and feel the whistle in your chest.

[@gordieboi2340]

"Go big or go home" Me:

[@vidiottheowl2825]

he's a big big boy he's the biggest boy!

[@crocowithaglocko5876]

Despite being originally designed to eliminate double heading, in a lot of footage from the 50s, there are many shots of the big boys working with 2-8-8-0s and 2-10-2s Just something cool that most people don’t know about

[@themanformerlyknownascomme777]

a biproduct of how much trains had grown and the uneven terrian.

[@gregrowe1168]

Problem with steam is that if you had to double head, you had to have 2 crews. With diesels, you can link as many of them together as you like. And only need one crew to run them all. That was the real cost savings with diesel. Less manpower.

[@garryferrington811]

There were larger engines. The C & O built 3 ridiculously big steam turbines which were disastrous and didn't last long, then you had 2-8-8-8-2's (which didn't work very well) and such. The Big Boys, however, were completely successful, capable of lugging heavy loads over the mountains and at speed on the flat. They were among the very last mainline steam locomotives to be withdrawn in the US.

[@BHuang92]

How about covering Sierra Railway 3, the Movie Star locomotive?

[@timesnewlogan2032]

The name is proof that humor cycles through the generations. If this was designed today, it absolutely would be named “The Big Boi”.

[@SalmanMentos]

CHONKER

[@michaeltischer7195]

I think the aa20 is a bit longer that big Boy but i cound be complete wrong

[@box420]

These things are so big it's crazy. You really have to see them in person. It's like 4 school busses long and 2 tall. I seen 4014 in person running on both steam tours. It literally shakes the ground around it when it goes by its insane. I got some amazing pictures of them leaving Union station in kansas city.

[@Pilot_graaape_45]

I was there in 2019 at Union Station when it first came in at like 8pm when it was 20° out and hearing the whistle blow for the first time in the distance was an experience I’ll never forget. It was like meeting your childhood hero and they’re just as awesome as you imagined lol

[@mbart5113]

It happened in Big Boy then Last Of The Giants then The Union Pacific Big Boy Collection.

[@mr.meloetta1939]

these things are the train equivalent of the gigachad

[@masteryeet3600]

BIG BOI

[@juliancabrera555]

My dad took me to see the big boy once since I had always been a fan of Thomas. It was surreal to say the least and I’ll never forget her

[@yeoldeseawitch]

The people who like these engines probably love Iowa class battleships and B-29 superfortresses...

[@amiibo7063]

anyone else think it's time for a microphone upgrade?

[@Castor586]

I've been waiting forever for the channel to start covering American Locomotive Company engines, and I'm truly glad you started with Big Boy. On a totally different note, if you ever have the chance to hear Big Boy's whistle, I highly recommend it! Any recordings I've found on KZbin do not carry through properly, and don't convey the sheer power of this great machine

[@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243]

My guy, ToT has made multiple videos on American engines. This is like the 5th or 6th video to date

[@Castor586]

@@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243 I realized that I omitted something from my comment and have edited it accordingly. I know that ToT has covered American locomotives before, but this is the first of the more well known machines from the American Locomotive Company

[@awesomecronk7183]

I got to see 4014 in person. Absolutely exemplarizes what it means to be "cool"

[@ZackarySchejbalCODBO2RGM2]

Same when she went through Chicago. Such a beauty!

[@Triamgle]

There is nothing on earth like the whistle of a big boy. Never have i gotten such chills from just a sound. It is haunting.

[@NeptuneEclipse1]

I actually got to see this behemoth when it last went on a run in 2022. It was amazing. Listening to it thunder down the tracks and feeling the heat as it went under the bridges was something I'll never forget.

[@harryjohnson9215]

I didn't know there things existed But now I do thank you sir

[@calebcrossley8254]

I live in Kansas City which being in the center of the country is major hub for rail and road transportation. I have seen 4014 come through twice since the restoration and it is truly a sight to uphold. When under steam she truly shakes the ground as she goes by and the immense amount of steam and smoke is mesmerizing. Hopefully UP keeps it in operating condition for many decades to come so people can continue to witness first hand the just how powerful the golden age of steam could be.

[@nickdonner6330]

I’m very glad I had the opportunity to see the 4014 when it came to union station in Kansas City. Jaw dropping indeed.

[@ianjackson4721]

Look at the abesolute size of this UNIT

[@DeathnoteRulez4]

These are my favorite engines! I have a very fond memory of spending a day in 2019 following 4014 around Minnesota the last time it visited the Midwest. I highly recommend seeing 4014 in action if you ever get the chance!

[@justinebarker3706]

1.1k views in 41 minutes 🤯

[@hunterstearns5594]

Next video, the Pere Marquette Berkshire’s.

[@stuartaaron613]

Correction: With the exception of some second hand locomotives bought during WWII, Union Pacific never used Baker valve gear on any of their locomotives.

[@Rinoyra]

*CHONK*

[@jmfstl11]

I thought the 2666 Allegheny’s were the heaviest reciprocating engines ever built.