Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 Wells, Elko, Nevada July 6 2024 Airailimages American Steam 4-8-8-4 ALCO

Big Boy's back on the road, and we caught up with this mammoth marvel of steam locomotion on the way to Wells, Nevada, on July 6, 2024. The pride of the Union Pacific Railroad's steam preservation program, this huge 4-8-8-4 steamer was restored to run after decades of static display at Pomona, California. First post-restoration runs were in 2019. Search the Airailimages Channel for more Big Boy videos from earlier runs we think you will enjoy.
And please subscribe to the Airailimages Channel on KZbin, and give this video a Thumbs Up. We appreciate it. So what do you think of Big Boy in action? Please post your comments below.

[@airailimages]

Here's our Big Boy steam video from July 8, running from Elko to Winnemucca, Nevada; enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6bQe2CAnraMnKc

[@jasongunther1929]

Looking forward to seeing this in Roseville!

[@uncannyfox]

Same! Do you know what time it is departing Roseville? I really want to see this thing in motion but could not take Thursday off from work to see it pass through Oroville.

[@jasongunther1929]

@@uncannyfox sunday

[@TreeVamp360]

for yall who don’t know, Big boy 4014 is confirm as a male locomotive 👌

[@allgood6760]

Nice👍

[@airailimages]

Thanks!

[@timeforbeans]

Very nice. Thanks for filming the Big Boy. Hoping to see it in Roseville next weekend.

[@airailimages]

You are very welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@edwardbenkert6394]

I can't wait for you to bring the big boy to Muskegon Michigan go through Holland then go through Grand Haven and hit the loop inn in Muskegon

[@user-uc9tj5uh8x]

И еще покажете его в России, но это невозможно😢

[@HobbiesRfun]

It'll be cool seeing 4014 going over Donner Pass, which is the former playground of the Southern Pacific Cab Forward locos, which were almost as big as the Big Boys. I saw the only remaining cab forward left on display at the California Railroad Museum in Sacramento California when I was in 6th grade and was as impressed seeing that as I was seeing the Big Boy in person.

[@aubreysuleiman8347]

The 4294 is still there!

[@cynthiaknuerr7811]

Looking forward to seeing the Big Boy in Illinois in Fall.

[@railyardfilms6491]

4014 true treasure

[@user-uc9tj5uh8x]

Факт😊

[@davidwidmayer7150]

... & Now, an Oil Burner !!!

[@robstanton9215]

Man! What a beast!!! Beautiful camera work!!!

[@airailimages]

Thanks! Yes, locomotives like the Big Boy represent an era when major railroads like the Union Pacific had motive power departments that worked with the manufacturers to design engines tailored specifically to the railroad's particular needs.

[@airailimages]

Is that a dual lamp headlight? And if so, why, and when?

[@ThunderboltSirenStudios]

When: recent (I don't know the actual date 😂) Why: better visibility

[@ChiefAUS]

Nice old engine. Are those empty cars or are they hauling freight? And love that part of the country.

[@airailimages]

I remember the crew said a couple years ago that they prefer to have at least some load on the Big Boy when they run; don't know if these cars were empty or not. And, yes, I am a big fan of eastern Nevada too.

[@GaryA]

It's tough to see the Big Boy in person when I live in Florida.

[@airailimages]

Glad we could share the video. More to come.

[@firemedic5100]

Very strange to see that tiny caboose bringing up the rear.

[@Pepsiboi160]

Im gonna see it going eastbound through roseville- reno nevada.

[@TrainFanFromCA]

What was that sound at 0:30?

[@cmdredstrakerofshado1159]

I am I see 👀 this right it now has no smoke stack ? And is running on Diesel fuel ⛽️ instead of fuel oil?

[@airailimages]

Smokestack has a shroud that makes it perhaps less visible.

[@franklinpatterson3693]

Used motor oil

[@5280bj]

Some loads of the used motor oil burns cleaner than others. The oil burned when starting out on this trip was a mix of leftover from last year, and what was in the first batch of new. It made great heat and steamed well, but made a raifan level of smoke.

[@CaptSteveCPA]

Gonna be in Oroville in 3 days 🚂 So excited for its arrival

[@Moondoggy1941]

Where is it going? Does it stop at Wells Nevada?

[@Railfan-uf9mw]

Going to Roseville CA!!!

[@Moondoggy1941]

@@Railfan-uf9mw Thanks do you know when it goes through Donner Pass?

[@Railfan-uf9mw]

@@Moondoggy1941 uh um that I don’t know but I think on Wednesday or Thursday

[@mannybravo237]

It's sceduled to arrive Monday July 14th in Truckee, the depot on Donner Pass Rd, at 3:30pm PT and depart at 4pm. This is when heading back east, it's taking tracks farther north when arriving in Calif. Look up UPRR Big Boy schedule

[@Railfan-uf9mw]

@@mannybravo237 bruh it’s on Sunday not Monday check your calendar right

[@johnpinckney4979]

Thought it now had a PTC install and didn't need a Diesel in tow???

[@hawkeyeten2450]

Diesel is for dynamic braking in mountain country. Steep grades can be hard on Big Boy's brakes, so this is a way for the steam crew to make them last longer and need less repairs. 4014 can (and now has) run independently at times though thanks to the full PTC installation.

[@johnburger3287]

It came across Wyoming without a diesel. I think it was added at Evanston WY. I saw it in Roy UT at the Roy Front Runner station and it had the diesel. Probably added for dynamic breaking coming down the steeper grade of the Wasatch front from Evanston to Ogden UT and also when they get over Donner Pass and going down grade to Roseville CA. From Donner Pass to Roseville is 60+ miles of mostly down hill. Pretty tough on conventional brakes.

[@chrisgill7824]

Big Boy Brakes are Expensive! Better to use Dynamic braking downhill. The additional freight cars are only there to help save the brakes any other time as it is a whole lot cheaper to replace car brake shoes vs basically one off Locomotive shoes.

[@johnpinckney4979]

@@hawkeyeten2450 Makes sense! TNX for the responses!

[@johnpinckney4979]

@@johnburger3287 Makes sense! TNX for the responses!

[@ThunderboltSirenStudios]

Great. They ruined big boys headlight as well

[@DarrellLewis-vb8xx]

No U.P track back East

[@n6dl321]

what happened to the 'new' PTC? Why the diesel, previously needed for PTC?

[@airailimages]

Some have suggested the diesel was put in the train for the grades, providing dynamic braking to save wear-and-tear on the Big Boy since there is no longer a big steam shop or a pipeline of brake parts as in its first life.

[@eva.cassidy]

The PTC on 4014 does allow it to be matched up with any diesel UP has when needed. They don't have to depend on UP 4015.

[@regularguy7266]

It does have the new PTC system, the diesel is only added in when going over mountain passes so that when the locomotive is going downhill the diesel can provide dynamic braking. Otherwise, 4014 will just use the brakes on the freight cars behind it.

[@Cmoredebris]

I'm surprised that the EPA and environmental groups allowed this to happen.

[@Ford_Raptor_R_720hp_V8]

*It's been Converted to Burn Oil. Not Coal*