This is the BIGGEST STEAM LOCOMOTIVE EVER

train
trains
model trains
steam locomotive
railroading
model railroading
pennsylvania
pennsylvania railroad
philadelphia
east broad top
east broad top railroad 16
nkp 765
strasburg railroad
sp 4449
up 844
up 4014

[@tedneb3459]

If it deserves the hype, then it's not overrated.

[@thatoneguythatlikesship]

Unlike the e2's

[@CS-zn6pp]

Something can be Hyped to hell and back without it actually being any good. If only 25 were build then I'm guessing it wasn't that good.

[@tedneb3459]

@@CS-zn6pp What I said was that if DESERVES the hype then it wasn't overrated. In the case of the 4000s, they were built for very specific purposes, and they worked for as much as 20 years and millions of miles each. If they weren't spectacular at what they did, Union Pacific wouldn't have spent many millions of dollars to restore one to operating condition as the flagship face of its public relations program. And UP donated a third of them of them for display rather than cutting them up.

[@drewzero1]

Then it's just rated.

[@tedneb3459]

@@drewzero1 Well, yeah, but it's been rated before, so it's actually re-rated.

[@billfulgenzi2287]

Big Boy was designed to pull massive tonnage at up to 80 mph. Built in the early 40s they have the power of two modern diesel locomotives. They were designed to burn coal from Wyoming due to the economy of location. The Big Boys burned an average of 10 tons of coal an hour. Big Boy 4014 was completely rebuilt and made to burn heavy bunker oil because of the fact that there are no longer coaling stations on the UP System. An interesting fact: During WWII German spies reported to Berlin the existence of these big locomotives (weighing 600 tons)and there ability to move 3600 tons of freight at 80mph, but the German High Command dismissed this report because it was not deemed possible.

[@ObservationofLimits]

10 tons of coal an HOUR? that seems insane. You need about 10 pounds of air for complete combustion of a pound of coal. That's 130 cubic feet of air. That's 26,000,000 cubic feet of air an hour or 434,000 cubic feet *a minute* going through the combustion box. I don't think you understand how much air that is. A really good 12" radiator fan might move around 1,500 cfm.

[@ObservationofLimits]

For comparison, Royal Albert Hall is about 3M cu ft Houston Astrodome is ~42M cu ft

[@K8thebest_Gaming]

Tell the Americans somethin aint possible and theyll just say bet

[@henret505]

Only in Germany were they experimenting with jet and rocket planes but the idea of a steam loco of this scale and power was dismissed as “impossible”

[@Sassafras-]

Ahhhh Nazis 😂 just can’t match American Steam

[@jjojo2004]

What’s ironic is that like the announcer said, one Big Boy was converted to run on oil, but it was not terribly successful. But Big Boy 4014 IS CONVERTED to run on oil, and is doing just fine it seems. 😂😂😂😂

[@Bennyboi_]

80 year difference in knowledge lol

[@samuelworkman51]

"Only one still operates" is also misleading. Had it not been restored none would be operating. So none have continuously operated since being built. 😊

[@warrenholmar1129]

It was an earlier attempt at oil firing. But with later knowledge it would seem they have it worked out.

[@TheRealScooterGuy]

It was not commercially successful.

[@willrussell2134]

Don't forget the load on the loco in preservation doesn't even compare to the load it had to endure in service, so the drop in steaming ability and therefore power isnt such a big issue anymore

[@zsoren42]

This man just call the Big Boy overrated. 10 years ago we didn't even think it was possible to see it move

[@Armystrong996]

It was instrumental in Ww2 for bringing Sherman's from the factory to be shipped to the front.

[@Ron-t3h]

Robert E. Lee liked it too !!!

[@Breakdown5297]

@@Ron-t3h Lee was dead already, and had been for half a century

[@alexbaker2615]

I knew that the Malley steam engines, hope i spelled it right, built in Hillyard, WA, were the biggest and baddest. But, I don't think I knew about these.

[@alexbaker2615]

The Malley steam engines were shipped over seas to fight on the German tracks. They say that we may have lost the war if it wasn't for Hillyard.

[@alexbaker2615]

Mallet, correct spelling 😅

[@maestromecanico597]

It deserves the hype, he’s NOT overrated and burns oil.

[@Amigafur]

The unsuccessful oil conversion was 4005, not 4014. It only lasted about 9 months due to poor design of the oil conversion equipment.

[@maestromecanico597]

@@Amigafur Correct but 4014 was converted to an oil-burner as part of his return to service. I’m sure the steam team reviewed the 4005 data from days gone by and refined it to something successful.

[@caseymitchell5477]

@@Amigafur 4014 currently runs on oil

[@Amigafur]

@@maestromecanico597 I think I misread your comment, sorry 😅

[@maestromecanico597]

@@AmigafurNot a problem. And remember, when in doubt go trackside.

[@KYoss68]

BigBoy isn't overrated... It really can do everything they say it can.

[@Honzikovokanal-rc4dy]

No...he is HELL overrated...

[@Dee_fy]

HE IS GOD DAM OVERRATED BRU

[@Imsorrywat]

This thing makes me more proud of my country than any politician could hope for

[@marvwatkins7029]

THE KING of Steam is NEVER overrated!

[@Dee_fy]

Yes the big boys are very overrated not even that good

[@Captain-charger]

King of steam nah Stephenson’s rocket a4 oasis fix a3 pacific lbscrs e2 class are the true legends and kings of steam

[@Captain-charger]

I meant pasific

[@janicesouthworth1131]

I'm 77 and lived in Pennsylvania. Being coal country, I had to cross a few railroad tracks to get to school. Had to wait for these big boys a lot. Totally fascinating. Stare long enough and you feel like you are moving and not them.

[@donbissland4007]

Big. Ous never hauled in Pa

[@TheClassyAlien]

What part of PA? Just curious.

[@harridan.]

beautifully written, i almost feel that i was there

[@Texassince1836]

Eastern railroads had simular Equipment, but these Locomotives in particular never ran outside of the Pacific NorthWest.

[@TheClassyAlien]

@@Texassince1836 your right, I’m assuming that he probably saw B&O EM-1s on the Sand Patch Grade. That’s the only way I could imagine him seeing large articulated steam in Pennsylvania.

[@diamondcreepah3210]

If it deserves the hype it's not overrated

[@gambleoakranch]

Alco said fuxk the war effort, we are going to use all the excess iron on a locomotive

[@chuckbeasley6074]

The railroads were very important to the war efforts to move products to the east and west coast plus troop trains

[@warrenholmar1129]

Actually the point of the 4000s was that they could use less locomotives to cross Sherman Hill.

[@spencerquimby4726]

It actually did help the war effort temendously by saving 10s of thousands of barrels of oil that would have been used to run diesel or diesel electric trains. They produced over 130,000lb/ft of torque and could haul up to 4200 tons unassisted.

[@warrenholmar1129]

@@spencerquimby4726 I believe that was even mentioned in the "last of the Giants" film too. The 3900s just weren't quite enough. And with the war they needed that extra power to move bigger trains. Or they would have needed more locomotives and crews to do the same job.

[@spencerquimby4726]

@Warren Holmar exactly, someone told me once the Big Boy could haul freight over Sherman Hill that 4 or 5 diesel electrics would struggle with, mostly due to the massive ammount if torque it produced and its heavier overall weight which helped improve traction for the drive wheels.

[@rodmarr1844]

Seeing it on video is one thing but seeing this staggering machine in real life is something else entirely!!

[@michiganrailfan2141]

That's an understatement. I've been able to catch it 4 different types and it's still exciting each time.

[@ObservationofLimits]

Seriously. Old Iron is incredible to stand next to. Divine to see in action.

[@punxsutawneyareabmxriding598]

There was a guy that worked on the restoration of 4014 said it takes 4 Diesel locomotive to pull what one Big boy will pull.

[@falcondragonslayer]

Diesels just don’t have the same power as a steam train. Possibly because they aren’t as heavy so they don’t get as much traction

[@robertcamble3543]

​@@falcondragonslayer Big Boys were made to pull a set of cars up to 5 miles long fully loaded . There's a video of it's smaller brother " Challenger ' pulling 143 cars up Sherman Hill at 35 m.p.h ! without cracking a sweat .

[@falcondragonslayer]

@@robertcamble3543 I never said anything about the towing capacity of the Bigfoots… I know they were built to tow long freight trains (generally in excess of 3,600 tons) over the Wasatch Hills and Sherman Hill faster than smaller locomotives

[@warrenholmar1129]

@@robertcamble3543 I thought the 5 mile long train was theoretical? And only on the flat? I get that the 4000s had alot of tractive effort however you start coming into metal fatigue at a certain length of train. For me tho the funny part is that even with a train a a mile long the train is over 1% of the length of the distance it traveled. My point is that the cars would start to fall apart or couplers would start to fail with a 5 mile train being only pulled.

[@robertcamble3543]

@@warrenholmar1129 It can pull it. But they limit it to three miles .

[@Train_Tok_Man]

Underrated comment: All steam locomotives are perfectly rated, it’s just Foamers ruin their image.

[@zacharypederson6816]

I actually saw 4014 come through Kansas City a few years back. It was pretty cool to see. And videos and photos dont do justice to quite how monstrous it is.

[@lucasquintanilla1673]

I saw 4017 at the national railroad museum in Green Bay and 4006 at the national Museum of transportation in St. Louis. They are both truly giants and I can only imagine what 4014 must be like to experience when it runs.

[@Railfan_4235]

​@@lucasquintanilla1673 I also saw the one in St. Louis

[@lucasquintanilla1673]

@@Railfan_4235 I found it pretty cool that they also had a centennial diesel right next to the big boy. I guess they must’ve realized it was fitting to put the largest diesel locomotive in the largest steam locomotive right next to each other. A similar thing can be seen in a park in Omaha Nebraska, where Union Pacific big boy, 4023 and Union Pacific centennial diesel 6900 are put on static display right next to each other. What I think is the coolest thing at the St. Louis rail museum is that they have New York Central Mohawk 2933 which is one of the last two surviving New York, central modern steam locomotives. While not a Hudson, it is so close to one in outward appearance that if you didn’t count the wheels, you would think that it was a Hudson.

[@samuelworkman51]

@lucasquintanilla1673 it was pretty great. They had it come to my City on the first run after it was brought back to life.

[@lucasquintanilla1673]

@@samuelworkman51 what this in its first run in 2019 when it double headed with 844? 4014 is something that is very neat but I personally like 844 better I really hope they start using that on excursions again pretty soon.

[@kayleighbrown965]

As a fan of British rail, I can appreciate how this is an engineering marvel. Definitely couldn't run on our tight turn rails. Would love to see how this tackles gradients too. Though it would be nice to see Big Boy have a proper nameplate as he deserves.

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

POV Loading Gauge

[@FlyingOstridge]

I have no idea why I'm getting locomotive sigma edits in my reccomended but I do know that these big beautiful high speed hunks of steel deserve them 🗿

[@larryjones-emery807]

I love to see the Big Boy 4014 run! Thank you for the video!

[@gangisspawn1]

I remember my grandma checking me out of school to see it go through town lol

[@eddielane9569]

I would not call it overrated. Those things are works of art. I would be satisfied to see them come back.

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

As a railway enthusiast, i can agree with you, the way these works is fucking brilliant, but visually and overall, everyone always says 'OMG BIG BOY' which, yeah, there's not a lot of them in preservation, but there's other engines too.

[@Inferno-hn3zx]

Nothing beats 2-6-6-6 Allegheny!

[@scrappydude1]

Except in the ability to haul tonnage…then a lot of locomotives beat the 2-6-6-6.

[@gcanaday1]

Lima 2-6-6-6 for the win Because *cool factor*

[@michaeldougfir9807]

I saw this big boy at Cajon Pass, between San Bernardino & Victorville, Calif. My late wife and a niece were with me. Awesome day!

[@porothashawarma2339]

Absolute units

[@prhf]

Unsuccessful oil conversion? The current 4014 runs on oil.

[@Bennyboi_]

The unsuccessful oil conversion was back in the 40’s

[@bohba13]

the backing track is perfect for the subject. The Big Boy was badass.

[@johndaniel6149]

That steam engine is a masterpiece, makes me proud!

[@stevew270]

4019 was the only Big Boy to have smoke deflectors and it was only for a short time.

[@Amigafur]

Which is really unfortunate, because it's sexy as hell

[@davebennett2086]

Not overrated. Biggest, baddest loco EVER! Long live "BIGBOY"

[@swampfox9162]

I'm glad😊 they preserve historic items like this steam engine.

[@idofx8722]

Be happier still as 3985 was donated to RRHMA and will be restored. Rather, despite its rough condition its restoration is well underway. Additionally, 5511 is confirmed to be in a preparation state for restoration. Once 3985 has been restored fully, 5511 will be worked on in earnest. Amazingly 5511 is the only one of its kind left of the 2-10-2 steam engines and yet it is in remarkable condition. Almost no parts on it will need total replacement. They can be restored or modified back into operational standards which means this is one of the few steam engines in the world that could truly be considered a fully intact and original engine by the time of it’s revival.

[@user-pb1bl2zx8y]

If you want to see a nice one in person and go on the cab, the St. Louis transportation museum has big boy 4012 I Believe, + you can have a look at other locomotives as well

[@joshuauriarte452]

It was also the most powerful. It helped carry ranks ammo artillery plane parts armored vehicles and other things alike during the war. The war was the reason why it was made

[@janebrown1706]

Thank you - I wond😅ered why it was built in the War

[@warmstrong5612]

Neither the biggest, heaviest or most powerful. There were other steam engines that had more tractive effort.

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

If you haven't seen it, pictures or videos don't do it justice. It's a behemoth to see and hear. Awe inspiring.

[@pootmahgoots8482]

Meanwhile Yellowstone is sitting in a museum in Duluth.

[@wesleyabram229]

Wishing the King of the trains best luck throughout the years to come

[@stephenkatthagen8604]

More steam locomotives should be restored to operational capacity.

[@harridan.]

There are around 200, i believe, rebuilt. Dolly Parton has 2 at Dollywood, they have a good shop there and they are lovingly maintened. Here in the albuquerque area, we have Santa Fe # 2926, a 4-8-4 rebuilt. i remember when she was forlorn and neglected in a park next to a freeway....then one day she was gone...22 years and a great deal of effort later we have a fully restored steam engine.

[@posztohun7638]

The mighty x4014 deserves that respect. Long live the Big Boy!

[@nimbus7727]

I’m incredibly thankful I was able to see this engine in real life when it was making its first excursion run through Oklahoma. It has such a presence.

[@Spicy_Uber]

I did not think Railroads and Phonk would go this hard together. Awesome work bro

[@NickAndriadze]

Steam engines are one of the greatest inventions in all of human history. The kickstarters of the Industrial Revolution and pioneers of long distance goods transportation, on top of simply being the most badass machines ever created.

[@klaibasler3984]

Whats the song name?

[@Bennyboi_]

KILL 'EM ALL - STXRZ

[@trainknut]

While the 4000 class were officially “retired” in 1962, this was only a small reserve fleet which was never re-activated, they had their fires dropped in 1958-59 and never operated a single piston stroke again until 4014 was restored in 2019. The reserve fleet by the way were the eight big boys that went into preservation, and also included challengers 3985 and 3710(3977)

[@kingofsludge7262]

Listen to that whistle!

[@electron75]

Something feels good about powerful and fast trains with phonk in the background

[@FloridaMowerMan]

Ahhh my childhood love for trains just flooded back. What a gorgeous locomotive. Absolutely beautiful

[@AustralianRailwayVideos]

I would love to see this beast in person one day!

[@warrenholmar1129]

There are a few static 4000s across the USA. Sadly when I visited the US all I saw was the static ones and 4014 wasn't operational for another 4 years.

[@Gary-sb3ws]

I don't know anything about trains but it's a nice looking train not gonna lie.

[@dannypipewrench533]

It is not overrated. It is the embodiment of American industrial might.

[@Smachfest]

Ultimate Muscle Loco. ❤

[@trainman1209]

It's a beautiful Train!

[@efcrazylegs7274]

I’ve got to see this locomotive in person

[@billsanders5067]

I am truly amazing that these steam locomotives were engineered using pencils, paper slide rules and drafting tools.

[@liverymakerguy7206]

to be fair, its the largest steam locomotive in existance now. the S1's were bigger iirc

[@diamondcreepah3210]

Counting the tenders, the prr s1 Was 8 feet longer than the big boy. Only counting the engine itself, the big boy is 85 ft. And the s1 84 ft.

[@therailfanman2078]

Definitely NOT overrated

[@Vermontrailfanproduction]

Nah it’s overrated as heck but I do have to admit it’s cool. Maybe talk about 4449? She’s the locomotive that got me into trains

[@johnlang3198]

4449 Got me buying train videos. saw it in the movie" tough guys"

[@Wolfgodmak]

Also fun fact, 4014 is using Challenger 3985s Oil tender

[@glennjames7107]

I just watched it pass through Rock Springs Wyoming five minutes ago. Would've missed it had I not heard it's whistle as it passed through. What a treat this morning!

[@Suntan330]

Big Boy is not overrated but I think 844 is sexy as hell tho.

[@Bennyboi_]

Ayo what

[@Suntan330]

@@Bennyboi_ Believe me...UP844 on a highball run is memorizing. Look it up.

[@randalldugan1817]

I'm glad there's still examples of steam locomotives on the rails, examples of a bygone era.

[@k9tm]

It must be an AI because a real life announcer would know this was by far not overrated.

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

Big boys are hella overrated, and yeah, they may be mechanical wonders, cuz the fact they even worked at that size is hilarious, but tbf, i can only look at the size as the reason you'd preserve one of these.

[@KristianElliot-c1g]

Of course, the big boy deserves all the hype cause it’s literally one of the strongest steam engines made it can carry absolute tons of weight behind it it could carry a elephant no problem

[@MilkDrinker218]

I saw 4014 in West Chicago with my grandpa a while ago. She’s a lot bigger in real life than she is in the pictures. Also visited Green Bay and saw the other big boy next to the LNER A4 and PRR Electric engine. I remember watching the documentary where they had to shuffle that little A4 across the floor in front of that Big Boy, reminds me of sitting down in a movie theater or an airplane.

[@AximusPrime33]

This beast and all other steam engines deserve all the hype

[@kidsalex13]

I've seen the 4023 locomotive in person, it's at a place called Lauritzen gardens.

[@rosewetzel8284]

Sometimes you’ve got to wonder how people made such beautiful steam engines back in the day because steam engines are huge

[@sarajanesmith3892]

BEAUTIFUL!

[@MetraFan-ss1th]

Smoked reflectors on Big Boy😂😂😂😂😂

[@zevroboy131]

I need me a 2-10-10-2 again

[@scrappydude1]

None of the 2-10-10-2’s were saved.

[@zevroboy131]

@@scrappydude1 yeah i know 😞 But they still cool, even if they were impractical

[@OS97360]

I'd be not only lucky but honored AF to operate this Beast

[@ohio948]

DANG BOY, HE THICCC!!!!

[@leerollins1107]

Got to see this in person in Southern Utah freaking awesome

[@gambleoakranch]

They said f the war effort we are going to use all the excess iron for a locomotive

[@NorthGeorgia_Aviation]

One of the most beautiful locomotives on the planet.

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

British engines:

[@electricgaming9914]

What about the triplex?

[@johnlang3198]

I read somewhere that it would not produce enough steam for the 3 sense of drivers Forces stand operation. Part of the problem was that the exhaust for the driver's underneath the tender was just vented into the atmosphere. It was not used to pull the heat Is through the boiler.

[@electricgaming9914]

@@johnlang3198 that is very true.

[@LBCB94025]

still more badass than 4449, 2472, And sierra#3! lol 😆👍🏻

[@tomgauger949]

Why do you say the oil conversion was “unsuccessful?” This is at odds with UP.

[@Bennyboi_]

The oil conversion experiment back in the 40's was unsuccessfu

[@tomgauger949]

@@Bennyboi_ Source?

[@Bennyboi_]

@@tomgauger949 Here’s a link to an old video that mentions it: m.facebook.com/HistoricSteamGiants/videos/what-is-that-horrible-taste/1123031851566184/ But Union Pacific has released the sheet drawings for the Big boy class including the modified ones in which 4005 was converted. The oil fire failure is also mentioned in a few forums, but I know these are not the most reliable sources.

[@Texassince1836]

They first oil conversion was unsuccessful. The UP later reverted that locomotive to coal fire. Then 80 years later the 4014 was converted to oil with a better design, and actually works.

[@albertogarcia716]

WOW! That one is HUGE! I love it.

[@jasongoodman3495]

I'd love to go see her but it probably wont happen

[@Bennyboi_]

Real

[@darrellbrand1074]

This 4014 Big Boy Steam Engine is not overrated!!

[@thunderboltproductions8618]

Have y'all forgot about 2-10-10-2 made by Santa Fe

[@donosprey8754]

I don't really think about trains and I'm not a big fan or anything, but I do find this one to be so cool to look at

[@MH-fb5kr]

Over rated in what way?

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

I'm guessing mainly in the overall sector, i myself think big boys are sorta overrated, cuz 'OMG IS A BIG ENGINE'.

[@marvwatkins7029]

Yes, Bennyboi is the Eternally intro/outro King.

[@nicholasdiehl7368]

Let's goo ❤

[@bryceadams5595]

I love trains and they are my favorite part

[@greenbeacon394]

4014 does burn oil

[@Texassince1836]

Converted to burn oil nearly 80 years after the UPs first attempt to oil fire a 4000 class locomotive.

[@raynitaylor1912]

I saw a Big Boy at the B&O Railroad Museum. It definitely is a big boy and deserves the hype.

[@wrrail]

no it doesn't i say scrap it and put it off the mainline

[@Bennyboi_]

Wah wah 🎺

[@Vermontrailfanproduction]

I’d say that’s a little to far

[@TheGs4_4449]

@Wabash River Railfan this prove that you’re the devil of railfans, YOU MONSTER

[@therailfanman2078]

No

[@JunoTheRailfan844]

bud just said that to piss us off, lol NICE TRY

[@VinnyUnion]

Although the smoke output is far too much, the mechanical art piece that it is, is undeniable. They look so futuristic and advanced regardless being actually vintage.

[@TheRunaway115]

Trains deserve far more love and phonk edits

[@youchoob8090]

Fun fact, this design is roughly 4,000hp stronger than a rival diesel design. The Baldwin Centipede has a output of 3,000hp per unit, so it would take two Centipedes and a 1,000hp Diesel Switcher to match the power of one of these giants.

[@Brayden4472]

This loco is *NOT* over rated! The big boys are one of my favorite class of steam locos

[@Steam_era4014]

"The most overated locomotive deserves the hype" Big boy: "AAAAAAAA----"

[@olgamakarova5520]

Delighted Thanks ❤

[@SteamTrainsBoy]

This is very well put together! You just got a sub!!

[@SthamerAMVs]

I mean Jesus, fairly play, Americans really do know how to make anything bigger and better ngl

[@foxfern9036]

Fun fact, Big Boy way in Cheyenne Wyoming for the LONGEST time, I got to see this train in PERSON and WALK on it, it was fucking AWSOME.

[@Wren_59]

i got to see this beast back in 2021

[@fragnshrapnels]

I'm not really a train guy. But these machines are beautifull. And should return more.

[@jonkeau5155]

I’m looking forward to seeing the T1 Trust complete their scratch-made T1 too!

[@ryanmorrison3699]

I had the rare privilege to actually step foot in the cab of a retired Big Boy. No. 4012, on static display in Scranton’s Steamtown offers that opportunity on specific days in the early hours of operation. Can say it’s one of the coolest things I’ve been able to see to this point. The amount of valves and blowers in that cab is staggering.

[@legitchristian8498]

America needs more big boys riding the tracks. BRING BACK THE KING OF THE RAILS!!!!💪🏼🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲