UP Big Boy 4014 helps a stalled freight train in Blair Ne.

a freight train had stalled trying to make the grade going west thru Blair Ne. The 4014 was on its way home from the college world series in Omaha and was at the right time and place to help the freight train get over the hill.

[@Froggyman145]

Fun fact: Big Boy's pullage rating went up several times over their lifespans not *only because they were being improved, but because the company kept realizing that the engines were a lot more powerful that they thought

[@GTSW1FT]

They over built them in the best way possible.

[@catmungo4500]

Yep and they still most likely don't know there full potential

[@BPJJohn]

Curious to know what kind of tractive effort it was putting out?

[@scrappydude1]

Well, partly correct. But partly because they were improved. The big improvement was a new design to the exhaust nozzles, which were found to be undersized and restricting the draft and limiting horsepower. Several versions were tried before the optimal size/shape was found. The 6290 hp rating often cited was with the original nozzles, which is partly why Ed states 4014 is a 7000+ hp machine.

[@manga12]

@@scrappydude1 its still not the allegeheny, that holds the record, but yes there are many ways to improve the already powerful late age steamers, the big boys were one of the biggest, but the lima built h8's had basicly the largest boiler put on a steam loco even if they weren't as high pressure, some put the rating of the boiler at 8000 boiler horsepower. but just by improving the steam passages and exausting with a more advanced nozzle would boost horsepower at least 10 percent once you got it diialed in , example I read with a more advanced ejector the already powerful t1 could have got like a 20 percent increas in power by lowering the exaust backpressure, I think they said I would have to go back and read it I belive it was one of livio dante portas writings or a paper about his advanced exaust ejector theory I read. but its still a special day and rare treat to see a steamer push a long train up grade and help a modern freight train, you can work them hard and the harder you push them the hotter their fire from draught and the better they can get expantion from the thermal energy in the steam, and it will keep going as long as you keep up the steam till it runs out or breaks, or looses traction.

[@davidvanderhart1050]

When you see the train crew videoing their own train, you know it's about to be awesome.

[@mikehenlay5843]

Nah HH HH HB bt Jo

[@danishreja790]

​@@mikehenlay5843qqq1111119

[@PappuSingh-eu5px]

जय और

[@rawibhagoe]

0:18 @@mikehenlay5843

[@DEATHBYFLYINGCDS]

They brought a god to push practically nothing

[@diamondcreepah3210]

Probably one of the best moments in modern rail history. An old titan showing she still has more power than anybody else

[@thebonnevilleof5933]

The Alleghany's had more power. I wish I could see one of the old 2-6-6-6's going.

[@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle]

he* lol

[@Gary_H_Rambuyon_II]

Bro hes a male

[@Lcfc4life1]

@@Gary_H_Rambuyon_IIshe is called she by all the rail road community and her crew

[@SAGERODS250REM]

Most locos are female, big boy is male not female or bi or any of the other genders lol

[@redtowlie9]

Fun fact. The last time a bigboy pulled/pushed freight was back in 1959. This was the first time in 64 years a bigboy did this! fantastic!

[@Ismschism]

Thats so cool!

[@rayvaul3539]

That is so neat! I've actually gotten to ride it for my 19th birthday at Spike 150 in 2019. very memorable and will cherish it for eternity. God bless steam locomotives and hard working American railroaders!

[@BobThomas123]

Its last revenue frieght was in the early 60s

[@DominickCascianoIII]

no wayy

[@billbeverly2864]

I bet the crew of the 4014 was loving this, this is what they live for

[@Jopsyduck]

This is what big boy was built to do.

[@jaredkelly930]

Get paid for is more like it. End of the day, they do what the company tells them to do.

[@markfryer9880]

​@@jaredkelly930Just as long as it is safe and legal, otherwise you tell people what is what!

[@Sammie_Sorrelly]

@@jaredkelly930 If I could get paid to drive that thing, you wouldn't hear me complaining.

[@alistairwhite2906]

It's what the old girl was built for.....! HP is HP. Doesn't matter if a diesel or steam loco is providing it.

[@rabidbigdog]

The restoration job on 4014 is just stunning. Well done all.

[@jessstone7486]

They essentially rebuilt her entirely - with hand made parts!!! A remarkable story that took many years.

[@norman7179]

Sad that there is only one left. The last steam engine I seen on the rails was in 1963. It was being towed into a steel mill to be cut up for scrap. That gave me a sad feeling because I grew up with the steam engines.

[@adamnichols3506]

Originally built in my city of Schenectady Ny.

[@K.Spade7902]

Just painting the Big Boy took a lot of work!

[@russelljacob7955]

​@@norman7179Several of them still exist. This was the one selected to be fully refurbished. First one I had seen was the one in St. Louis transport museum. They have a 480DX as well

[@jenniferbaldini3527]

Im a 55 year old woman who doesnt know the 1st thing about trains, and I thought that was freakin AWSOME!!!!

[@captainryusugi1128]

Imagine your Dad sitting in a nursing home for decades, then returned to his 20s and becoming heavyweight champion of the world.

[@kelvinredward3013]

Reality is a Head full of Steam in a Positive way.

[@aaronharvey7523]

Hiya this thing is a Beast...!! Steam power man... Keep it lubricated and fired, it will go for ever.... I worked for free on a Steam Tug here in NZ, firing the Marine Scotch Type Boiler, and also was a Greaser... (Ok you Americans, I didn't comb my hair like Fonzie) Steam power all the way, rail or sail... Greetings from New Zealand. ; )

[@thatguy.mp7950]

"Hey grandpa, we know you're retired, but can you help us lift this real quick?" "Yes"

[@Mythocentric]

During the 1960's in the UK, during the changeover from steam to diesel (1968-onwards) we frequently saw steam locos coming to the resue of ailing 1st generation diesel units. It's amazing to see it all happening again after 55 years, especially with that gorgeous machine proving its worth!

[@zachboyd4749]

She may be old, but she’s still got plenty of life left in her!

[@shroomzed2947]

Have you ever read the Railway Series’ ‘Super Rescue’? That’s what that story was depicting.

[@paulbilyeu474]

The last of the giants

[@dasy2k1]

It's happened in the UK more recently too, the new built steam loco Tornado came to the aid of a stranded electric multiple unit when ice on the power rail caused issues a few years ago

[@coltonkoepp655]

The funny thing is the Big Boy could pull trains by itself it would take 3 Diesel Electric trains today to pull up the steep Rocky Mountain passes

[@Lazy.Train.videos]

Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941. The locomotives were 132 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds. Because of their great length, the frames of the Big Boys were "hinged," or articulated, to allow them to negotiate curves. They had a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, which meant they had four wheels on the leading set of "pilot" wheels which guided the engine, eight drivers, another set of eight drivers, and four wheels following which supported the rear of the locomotive. The massive engines normally operated between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyo. There are seven Big Boys on public display in various cities around the country. They can be found in St. Louis, Missouri; Dallas, Texas; Omaha, Nebraska; Denver, Colorado; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in December 1941. The locomotive was retired in December 1961, having traveled 1,031,205 miles in its 20 years in service. Union Pacific reacquired No. 4014 from the RailGiants Museum in Pomona, California, in 2013, and relocated it back to Cheyenne to begin a multi-year restoration process. It returned to service in May 2019 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad's Completion. Vital Statistics Tender Type: 14-wheeled Water Capacity: 25,000 gallons Fuel: Coal** 56,000 lbs. Gauge of Track: 4 ft. 8-1/2 in. Cylinder: Diameter: 23 3/4 in. Stroke: 32 in. Driving Wheel Diameter: 68 in. Boiler: Outside Diameter: 106 9/16 in. Pressure: 300 lbs. Fire Box: Length: 235 1/32 in. Width: 96 3/16 in. Tubes: 2-1/4 in. Diameter: 75 x 22 ft. 0 in. 4 in. Diameter: 184 Wheel Base: Driving: 47 ft. 3 in. Engine: 72 ft. 5 1/2 in. Engine & Tender: 132 ft. 9 7/8 in. Weight in Working Order, Pounds: Leading: 97,000 Driving: 540,000 Trailing: 125,000 Engine: 762,000 Tender: 427,500 Evaporating Surfaces, Square Feet: Tubes: 967 Flues: 4,218 Fire Box: 593 Circulators: 111 Total: 5,889 Superheating Surface, Square Feet: 2,466 Grate Area: 150 Maximum Tractive Power: 135,375 lbs. Factor of Adhesion: 4.00 **Original configuration. Now converted to No. 5 Oil

[@MichaelJBWebster]

Thank you for this information.

[@jmeyer3rn]

Is there a locomotive or diesel that comes close to 4014. That rescue up Blair Hill makes me think many railroad men doubt a diesel pushing/pulling power does not stack up.

[@smittyj23]

Kirkwood, MO Transportation Museum. NOT St. Louis! 🙂🇺🇸

[@savemefromreligion]

Great information. Thank you

[@Lazy.Train.videos]

@@savemefromreligion no problem

[@MarrowofStar]

That engine was PUSHING a whole train and its load, while PULLING one of its own! WOW that machine is powerful, and to think that its powered by STEAM. thats soooo cool

[@j.p.8276]

Don't forget the diesels working behind her. Plus there were probably several more engines at the head of that assembly. But she was a very lovely lady. What a beautiful sight to behold.

[@smashkiller64]

@@j.p.8276 Dude the diesel behind is to provide power for the passenger cars. The BigBoy is doing that all on its own.

[@Obi_Wan_Kenobi_027]

@@smashkiller64The SD70 was at like notch 4 or 5 from the sound of it so it definitely was doing more than just providing power

[@marcedni59]

@@smashkiller64 the passenger cars seem to have their own power. You can here it while passing by

[@RyanHatterer-Ryanns999]

@@Obi_Wan_Kenobi_027 try notch 1 or 2, later one they push some more to it but starting out they used it what the engine started slipping. EMD engines you can very easily what notch their in.

[@juans6639]

I am 77 years old and remember watching these beautiful beasts. We lived three houses from the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks. My beloved Father, R.I.P. worked 38 for Southern Pacific til he retired.

[@ShawnBowyer-nz4vj]

The southern pacific Add cab forward.This is union pacific big boy

[@ShawnBowyer-nz4vj]

Hadnot add

[@ShawnBowyer-nz4vj]

The cab would have been in the front of the Steam engine on the southern pacific

[@ShawnBowyer-nz4vj]

Did you ever see the daylight?It's orange and yellow or no it's orange And read passenger train

[@FishKepr]

“Dispatch, we’re stalled here. Are there are units in the area that can give us a push?” “Hmmm…. Why, yes. As a matter of fact there is.”

[@alexh3974]

The crew just smile and finally get to use their engines power.

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

This was an incredible sight to observe of a steam locomotive in helper service assisting a stalled freight train in 2023, this is possibly the best footage of big boy 4014 in operation since it was fully restored back in May 2019.

[@jmeyer3rn]

I couldn't be there of course. But yes. Very exciting and wow and wow a 1940's era locomotive pushing a diesel engine stuck on a hill into Wyoming(?) So cool. Any doubt? Nope. That's one for the books. Just all 4014 "Mr Muscle."

[@ryandunham1047]

A true demonstration of the iron horse. ;)

[@willmardis8619]

Don’t you know? Big Boy had a BIG smile on his face! “This is what I was built to do!”

[@THEDonnyB]

Big Boy did have a diesel helper behind him, but the fact that they were able to PULL AND PUSH those long trains just speaks to how powerful it is.

[@davidthosome623]

I thought the diesel was used exclusively for power generation for the coaches and dynamic breaking?

[@rosamapline4003]

Diesel engine wasnt pushing, diesel is there for all the modern tech 4014 doesnt have, ae. Coms, data com, rail management, rail switching, elec generation, etc. Bigboy did all the heavy work

[@ThunderClawShocktrix]

@@rosamapline4003 and brakes rather than using 4014's driver brakes

[@user-we9wz2xd4r]

Well, big boy had showed his steady progress to celebrate my passed away grandma, Chandra maya gautam.

[@johnclingman9401]

The 4015 diesel locomotive does mainly provide services like positive train control, dynamic braking, air compressors, electric power generation, and backup motive power to get them off the main line in case of breakdown. In this case it sounded like 4015 was also winding up to help push a little. It costs a lot of money to have a freight train stalled.

[@Br0adster4]

Just imagine being one of the select few train engineers in the world that get to autually pull/push a fully loaded train. Super cool!

[@kimweaver1252]

That makes the Big Boy a DPU?

[@royreynolds108]

@@kimweaver1252 No, helper. A DPU is controlled from the front loco. This is classic pusher helper.

[@monochrome8953]

They pull alot and they can also bank.

[@UnionCountyPhotography]

There’s a lot who are helper engineers such as at horseshoe curve

[@helenault7452]

150 units in the stalled train. That takes a lot of tractive effort, and 4014 has it.

[@brycenew]

11,000 tons & 10,000 feet, according to @railfanmaximstill7279

[@georgesherman5345]

@@brycenew WOW!!

[@georgesherman5345]

I'll bet the guys on that Steamer were "WALKIN TALL" for a few days!!

[@WiilyDerbbinphlatte]

Ok, there you go. Just proves that we are wasting our time with these diesel locomotives. They are unreliable and weak compared to Big Boy. Lets just call it what it is!! Steam is King of the Rails!! Time to go back to steam and let Big Boy rule the rails!

[@rayhankazianga6817]

@Vindelshanks this is half true. A big boy produces more horsepower than any diesel in mainline use in the US today. In terms of tractive effort no steam locomotive can actually beat a gevo or ACE or the like. This stall was caused by one of the locomotives failing, and it's possible had both diesels been operating the train would've made it up the grade.

[@RM43]

No matter what your opinion is on steam, you gotta admit it’s great to see the old engine do the thing she was made for again

[@skunkwerx9674]

The condition they keep these beasts in is immaculate.

[@bunkstagner298]

I was privileged to see 4014 when it was in Texas. Words cannot express the sound and size of this beautiful piece of machinery.

[@carmenfields2146]

This is one of my dreams. To see the 4014 in person.

[@alpha3836]

@@carmenfields2146 same it's one of my lifetime things to do as well.

[@Strahan740i]

I'm not really a train guy, I just happened to land here thanks to the magic of the algorithm, but even I thought man.. that's one beautiful engine :)

[@EricErrar-zw9sv]

​@@Strahan740i2:13 2:14 😅

[@darrylcorley2769]

It was awsome...they overnighted in Beaumont Texas

[@jasondrinovsky7962]

Let that old iron live up to it's former glory and do what it was meant to do. Just think, 70 years ago people heard the awesome sounds of 25 of those, that one included, and the 4-6-6-4's, the 2-10-2's, the 4-12-2's and occasionally a GTEL or 2 as helper locomotives roaring through the Wasatch range every day. I would have loved to see it. God bless Union Pacific for keeping steam alive, especially a 4-8-8-4. Priceless.

[@raybesserdin7542]

Breathtaking 😍😍😍😍😍

[@johnrickard8512]

I'm pretty sure they figured out that the Big Boy was just the thing they needed to keep their network running smoothly. Their steamers have a habit of showing up at the right place at the right time to solve very real problems for the railroads, and I'm glad they are not ignorant of the solution they invented long ago.

[@stout_tossme7541]

Man, what a site that would be. I am always boring my wife with my limited “train” facts and knowledge as we drive up Highway 6 or over Daniels Summit and see the long and slow progress of the freight and coal trains doing what they do.

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

@@johnrickard8512 No, steam locomotives need to be scrapped and recycled. We can't continue to burn fossil fuels with CO2 emissions due to global warming and climate change.

[@__-fm5qv]

@@johnrickard8512 Yup, sometimes big badass steam loco is just the only thing for the job, and I'm personally glad that that niche exists!

[@Timothy-lb2vr]

MADE ENTIRELY BY HAND! Blows my mind that people would even entertain the thought of a mechanism so massive, complicated and intricate. It was the machine age and there was almost nothing that couldn’t be built by hand and used by man.

[@michaelreid2329]

And remember when the talent and the skills of many people work on something like this, it becomes ALIVE

[@Gail1Marie]

For years, my husband and I visited 4014 at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds and had a chance to climb up into the cab. Never happier than when the "Big Boy" returned to the main line. Thank you, Union Pacific!

[@andrewhaselgrove7474]

Pushing the train plus the weight of its own train. Impressive.

[@LUNITICWILL]

back in the 1990s, 3985 pulled a 143-car freight train by herself with ease. the Big Boy is more powerful than the Challenger

[@kimweaver1252]

@@LUNITICWILL That's why they were built, because the giant trains of wartime USA were too big for the Challengers. Not by much, but enough. Challenger is no weenie.

[@gregorydahl]

@@kimweaver1252 the tunnels were too small i bet

[@kimweaver1252]

@@gregorydahl I don't think the Wasatch Division has tunnels. And the frontal cross section is very similar to the Challengers. The locos are built to fit the tunnels, not the other way around.

[@bobbofly]

Uphill. from a dead stop.💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻🚂

[@sharkey086]

This is purely amazing. Freight train can't make it, along comes 4014 and is like, hold my beer! Let me show you how it's done!

[@MegaBrokenstar]

This is how we did it in the 40s!

[@LogicalNiko]

This is like the US Navy saying: "hey we got an issue with one of our freighters breaking down while moving a few things around. Let's just go spin up the Battleship New Jersey and help out."

[@mmcss1155]

Nope, The Missouri, the Mighty Mo.

[@garywalsh3141]

The New Jersey is doing just that. Being refreshed...

[@LogicalNiko]

@@garywalsh3141 Its being refreshed in its role as a museum...but yeah essentially if the navy asked it them to go on a mission on the way to dry dock it would be quite similar.

[@chrisowen2925]

@@LogicalNiko We should stop retiring them and keep them working. Every see the movie Battle Ship... With all the electrics onboard one good EMP will shut anything down. Analog is better and more reliable.

[@LogicalNiko]

@@chrisowen2925 Modern warfare technology has very little use for a ship designed to slug it out with other large ships that cannot fight over the horizon. You would also have to pour billions of dollars and decades of work into programs to rebuild industries and supply chains that disappeared 50+ years ago. They had a massive problem in the 80's refitting these ships by pulling a large amount of equipment from other vessels and stores. Now there is nothing left. 90% of the cost to any weapons system is the logistics behind it, the ships themselves are just the smallest part of that. And "one good EMP" is pretty science fiction. Even if you are using high altitude large nuclear blasts you are not going to take out a large amount of military equipment. Radiation and EMF hardened equipment is used for a reason (which is one of the reasons it costs way more than commercial off the shelf stuff ). On top of that you are sitting in a giant structure which itself is a massive EMF shield. Yeah air bust a massive cluster of nukes at 300 miles over North America and you may find a decent amount of your home electronics got killed. But total loss of even hardened systems is still Snake Pliskin territory.

[@michaelverinder8158]

The Steam locomotive beauty, the majesty, the brute power of this gentle giant definitely deserving of the name BIG BOY. I shall never forget my 1957 encounter with one passing about 15 feet from me at a road crossing. It was doing about 10 MPH, shaking ground, deafening chuffing from the stack, steam hissing from everywhere, feeling the firebox heat as it passed, a wave and a shout from the men in the cab, and the cinders falling all around us as it tugged 80 plus freight cars out of the freight yard. My little brother and sister hiding behind me as we stood still counting the cars until the caboose past us at speed. The silence being broken by the distinctive whistle blasts in the distance as it passed another road crossing. This youthful memory lives vividly in my mind as if it just happened. Thank you for the fantastic video.

[@jmeyer3rn]

Nice. This reminds is an encounter with a diesel at a street level crossing. For whatever reason the engine pulled onto the roadway and stopped. This crossing was just on the west end of the yard and the signal and crossing arm had been deployed. The diesel had pulled up to but not across the street. And there he sat. With the top four on my Saab I thought I would have a bit of fun so I honked at him he honked me back and I honked back. Etc. it was fun. He reversed the engine enough for the arm to go up. I got across much more quickly than I otherwise might. That was really fun. Victory for me and the Saab against the locomotive.

[@jmeyer3rn]

So they aren't invincible.

[@bobleeka]

Absolutely nothing gentle about this giant!!

[@grahamharvey6488]

Well said sir, happy memory’s

[@roadtrain_]

When a steamer gets the front knuckle set up it's either going to be a REALLY good or a REALLY bad day... and today was VERY good.

[@huskerhank9896]

WOW!!! This was shot literally in what used to be my boyhood home (long since turned into a parking lot). I spent about 20 years watching trains from that angle back in the 50's to early 70's Obviously NOTHING like this but even with GP7"s pulling junky mixed freights more than enough to turn me into a life time railfan even now in my 70's.

[@nebraskamike607]

That's awesome! I still live in Shelton so I get to enjoy the trains everyday and it never gets old!

[@spartangoku7610]

And trains still make you write like an excited little kid even now. Never change.

[@huskerhank9896]

As my patient wife couuld tell you if anyythng I've gotten "worse"

[@stormrigsng]

Can tell by the name😂

[@lavonaltenhofen2725]

Out there by the roundabout( now)? HWY 30 and 133 but north? There's a pretty good grade on 30 west to Kemmerer there.

[@clint1969]

I am by no means a lover of trains, but the UP Big Boy is the exception to the rule. What an awesome bit of machinery! "Old Guys Rule!"

[@patriciavankirk173]

I've seen few things more magnificent. I don't know how I got here but I'm glad I was here. ☺️

[@ethanschmid4104]

Now THIS is our version of Super Rescue from the Railway Series!!! Such a prefect preview to the 4th of July weekend!!! It just feels so great Big Boy 4014 do what he was built for!!!

[@piercelindenberg6842]

I love that story! I wish they’d made it into an episode of the tv series. Not an animated one, one of the originals, with the models.

[@ethanschmid4104]

@@piercelindenberg6842 same with Gordon Goes Foreign, and I’m not talking about that beginning part of Double Header where they show Gordon saying, “Never mind. I like a good long run to stretch my wheels”. I meant the entire story. Yes I know it was suppose to be 26 stories per season but they could’ve swapped a couple of Britt Alcroft’s stories to put and Super Rescue in there. Maybe Percy and James’ Fruitful Day and Thomas Gets Bumped. Yes I know those are fan favorites but still.

[@saltytaco_productions8873]

Nothing like seeing a steam locomotive doing what it was originally built to do

[@WiilyDerbbinphlatte]

Ok, there you go. Just proves that we are wasting our time with these diesel locomotives. They are unreliable and weak compared to Big Boy. Lets just call it what it is!! Steam is King of the Rails!! Time to go back to steam and let Big Boy rule the rails!

[@tomwikum7001]

Not counting that the u.p fails to maintain the diesels turbo charger.......

[@kristinagraversgaard5328]

​@@WiilyDerbbinphlatte the problem with steam, and why we switched, is that they requireme a LOT of maintenance, and often.

[@WiilyDerbbinphlatte]

@@kristinagraversgaard5328 And yet, here they are.

[@dallasjsallad]

It brings tears to my eyes to know that there are people out there as passionate if not more about this locomotive as I am. Absolutely an amazing piece of technological art.

[@vettebecker1]

To have this happen in today’s time where everything is fast paced, it stood the testament of time and gave credit to the dedication of the steam crew and boiler makers the world over!! Awesome ❤❤

[@gliderider7077]

I remember as a very young man seeing diesels being excited and thinking how cool they were, especially compared to the old “junkers”..now those old “junkers” bring a tear to my eye when I see them. ❤️

[@norman7179]

I remember the first diesel electrics were mostly passenger trains and they were called "streamliners". They were FAST and their horn had a different sound than the whistles.

[@Mark-xv5lb]

Reminds me of the old video of Challenger 3985 hauling by itself 100+ double stacked containers.

[@dennisswaim8210]

I was grinning ear to ear watching this video of this magnificent machine working. This makes all of us little boys and girls again playing with our Lionel train sets. Loving it!

[@ronbrewer2721]

Playing with my Lionel & Ives train sets

[@Fabulous-New-Vegas]

When i was in kindergarten i wrote a crappy story about the big boy saving a fregiht train . Life is strange sometimes

[@ukraineballgeneral5546]

Prediction of the future

[@timpowell3255]

That is one skilled engineer driving 4014. I realize they have radios to communicate with, but he did a fantastic job at " rollin on the coal " to push that freight train uphill. Even with the wheel slip he kept her doin what she does best, and that is work hard. Thanks for sharing this cool video with everyone ! ✌️❤️🙏

[@johncarleton7998]

Loookin' great !!

[@bnwohlers]

Ed is a great and talented dude. it was pretty cool when I overheard Ed on my brothers radio asking the stalled engineers what they had for loaded or empty cars on the curve ahead, Ed wanted make sure he didn't push too hard as to make sure they wouldn't push a light car off the rail!

[@marvindebot3264]

Ed has the best job in the world, the lucky bugger. @@bnwohlers

[@tje1966]

Unreal! That beautifully restored Big Boy doing freight duty!

[@royreynolds108]

They were designed and built for fast freight duty. The Challengers were designed and built for freight and passenger duty.

[@lilfur]

This has got to be the single most amazing thing I've seen on rails in my life.

[@bnwohlers]

There were a few others that got some really good video of it getting to the next crossing where it lost traction again.

[@jim242]

I’m 66 and this makes me feel like a little kid

[@SteamKing2160]

man 844 did a super rescue back in the 1990s and now 4014 gets to do his super rescue

[@vr6gls]

“His” rescue. 4014 is called the “Big Boy”. Not the Big Girl. 😅

[@SteamKing2160]

fixed it

[@garryferrington811]

This is the single best demonstration of this engine's sheer power ever seen!

[@WiilyDerbbinphlatte]

Ok, there you go. Just proves that we are wasting our time with these diesel locomotives. They are unreliable and weak compared to Big Boy. Lets just call it what it is!! Steam is King of the Rails!! Time to go back to steam and let Big Boy rule the rails!

[@joshjlmgproductions3313]

​@@WiilyDerbbinphlatteBruh, what? You realize it takes 12 - 24 hours to start a steam locomotive, right?

[@MegaBrokenstar]

The fact that 4014 didn’t cut away its own consist before doing this is what does it for me. Your engine’s broken? No worries, I can carry both of our trains.

[@donaldmarwitz2046]

This goes out to my step dad who I know would be smiling for a week strait if he was still alive to watch this. This goes out to you Earling Johnson, Born in Brainerd, MN and his two children Eric and Raney. Still think of you guys. ❤

[@davidwallace8980]

When I was a little kid in 1952, these big steam engines went by our apartment every day. It was quite exciting for a little kid.

[@SIGINT007]

Good to see the old girl putting in some revenue miles. What a phenomenal difference between steam and diesel and yet they work side by side with little issue.

[@brentsimpson3791]

I used to build steam engines as a kid... this bought a tear to my eye.... I've had the privilidge of shoveling coal into the Kestrel boilers (ferry in Auckland) before conversion, and was fortunate to spend time and witness the wonder of triple expansion steam engines operating on the HMNZS Inverell. Best time of my life!

[@MrTurboparker]

Absolutely mind-boggling raw torque! I remember the last of the steamers going through my hometown up on the Canadian border of MN back in the late '50s/early '60s. Us grade-school kids would ride our bikes up to the tracks as quickly as we could when we heard the steam horns as the trains were getting close to town. Nothing with anywhere the power of Big Boy, though!

[@user-sr7nq9hb2k]

Grand dad to the rescue! It might be old, but it still works.

[@user-nk1om4zb8y]

The restoration job on 4014 is just stunning. Well done all.. Pushing the train plus the weight of its own train. Impressive..

[@chrisshelp1172]

That's an era we really need to return to. The trains were better back then. I really miss the bright yellow Union Pacific passenger trains. I've been from Caldwell, Idaho to Geneseo, Illinois in those. The small passenger train that ran from Portland, Oregon to Boise, Idaho was called THE PORTLAND ROSE. You could set your clock by that train because she was ALWAYS on time.

[@Agnemons]

In part, that "Always on time" was a safety issue. The best way to be safe in rail is to be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there.

[@stargazer7644]

Yeah we really need to return to this. Who doesn't miss the belching clouds of suffocating black smoke? Pour on the coal.

[@stereoplayers]

Unfortunately, in present day Indianapolis, being the third largest city in the Midwest, it's the opposite for buses. The bus is always very early, or very late, never on time. The 'supervisors' at the Transit Center are the main cause of that. They just walk around with their radio, acting like they're something all-mighty, or they sit on their butts while on their phone. They NEVER get on the driver's cases for being super early or late. Sadly, and it's been proven, for a city of its size, doing a ranking from 1--the best, to 100--the worst, Indianapolis ranks about 102, or further down.

[@zyglo9826]

@@stereoplayersare you talking about the Indianapolis city bus system?

[@stereoplayers]

@@zyglo9826 Yes. City leaders call Indianapolis a 'World Class City'. It's not a World Class City if it has a bad joke of a bus system.

[@BCHonea]

The most glorious machine man has ever engineered and built. 4018 is my favorite because I grew up in Dallas where it was kept. It’s now in Frisco and has been a candidate for restoration. I’ve got a pic from me in 1984 standing next to a drive wheel, I was 3. To this day I have the complete blueprints of 4018 frames in my office

[@johnclingman9401]

Not too often will an organization like UP dedicate $3 million or more to restore and operate a museum piece like the Big Boys. In this case they were able to recover a few dollars in revenue to get a stalled freight rolling again.

[@MegaBrokenstar]

@@johnclingman9401rail traffic delays cost the railroad thousands. The fact that this engine was available before any others and was able to push the stalled consist over the hill alone without even having to backtrack for its own consist during this incident probably saved the railroad a few% of the entire restoration cost by itself.

[@mastergunnerysgt1258]

For there are many things in life that Big boy could handle and I love this old engine to no end..

[@markcinque7011]

i sure love the sound of the Loud voice of the Steam Locomotive Whistle and the uphill sand to help make the entire Train move forward, 8:26

[@eva.cassidy]

Rerun of when UP 844 pushed some stalled trains back in the 1990s.

[@justahillbilly7777]

844 only pushed one stalled freight over Archer Hill.

[@eva.cassidy]

@@justahillbilly7777 Somewhere I saw it did 2 stalled trains but little more digging on YT 844 pulled a train where the lone diesel had issues.

[@DPU.proMN.IA.]

Yes

[@jaredkelly930]

Which was also a publicity stunt.

[@MegaBrokenstar]

I’m not one of those naive people who thinks railroads can afford the maintenence on all-steam operations just because they’re more powerful and aesthetically pleasing, but if I ran a railroad, I would keep one working steam loco in every yard and at every terminal and tell my dispatchers to utilize them whenever a train broke down or there wasn’t enough power on hand. Have the crew fire it up once every couple months to do some switching work in the yard and keep the rust away otherwise. Maybe use them for excursion trains every now and then, especially in the fall. These locomotives are so powerful and effective. They’re like a lot of other antiques built to last. I get that the cheaper and weaker diesels are needed for business reasons, but I’d still love to be able to take advantage of the ridiculous horsepower that steamers offer when a situation arises. Not to mention, the public seeing a steamer on the lines every now and then is really good for PR. People don’t like living next to the tracks these days because they associate it with loud, ugly aesthetics instead of the beauty and mechanical grace that inspired the model railroad industry. I live with (tightly curved no less) tracks outside my balcony, and I think more of my neighboring units would stay occupied more consistently if there was an occasional steam locomotive once every couple weeks with a waving engineer pulling a short haul train like a trash hauler or something to make all the squealing and rumbling feel more worth it.

[@skunkbucket9408]

Still the world's most powerful locomotive. There's no substitute for cubic inches.

[@IRONHORSE427RACING]

Hands down one of the coolest displays of pure horsepower I have ever seen.

[@karltork6040]

Was lucky to see Big Boy outside Chicago, about four years ago. There are no words that haven't been said, just incredible!!!

[@raysmith4997]

This was just amazing, thank you. 4014 being put to work again, not just for show. I really enjoyed this.

[@blackhawks81H]

I can't help but come back and watch this like once a month at the very least. It's what the Big Boy was built to do. That old monster is happy as it's ever been getting a chance to say "you kids stand back and watch OLD MAN POWER!" major props to that engineer too. Most people in his place would have been grinding the rails/drivers/both into butter knives. He only had a couple tiny slips.

[@bnwohlers]

Were you able to find the other videos of that day?

[@jnorth6022]

AWESOME. Such machine could only be built by The Greatest Generation!

[@MITSI1991]

Doing what it was designed to do! An absolute powerhouse to pull and push heavy freight. So cool to see!

[@jiji1946]

the inertia that thing overcomes, is unimaginable.

[@scottie2636]

I remember as a child my first train trip from lochgelly Scotland to Edinburgh was on a steam train. I don't know if it was the Flying Scotsman or not, but it was enormous when it pulled into the station. This was in the mid 1950s. I have never forgotten the sight of it.

[@boogaloobender3462]

You traveled on the LMS. Flying Scotsman's LNER. Different railroads

[@jamesrussell7775]

You are correct about the locomotives, but Lochgelly station was on the LNER system, not the LMS. Prior to the LNER it was part of the North British Railway.

[@Somawesomestuff]

Love it, Big Boy finally able to fully stretch his muscles and do what he was built to do. I can imagine Big Boy saying time to show these kids how it's done

[@Stussmeister]

Very interesting to see, and I believe it reinforces the notion that while diesel/electric locomotives may be more efficient than steam locomotives, it is very difficult for them to match a steam engine in terms of power or (in certain instances) speed. I can also imagine the conversation between the stalled diesel locomotive and #4014: Diesel Locomotive: "Awww, crud. I can't get this train to move, and now I'm stuck 'til who-knows-when!!" (4014 whistles in the distance) DL: "Wait...is that...?! Big Boy!! What are you doing here???" 4014: "Well, I was in the neighborhood, and thought I'd help out another locomotive." DL: "Hold on, you're gonna push me and my train while pulling yours at the same time?!?! Aren't you over 80????" 4014: "...I may be an old engine, but I've still got it where it counts!!"

[@chloedegurechaff1941]

From what I heard Big boy wasn't alone, the lead diesel pulled the front. As Awesome as Big boy is, it can't pull this train alone. I read that that train was 11,000 tons, Bigboy was only designed to haul 4200 tons. Either way its quite a feat for Bigboy to show that it can still put in the work it was designed to do. My guess, cause I don't know the specifics for this trip, is that the two lead diesels for this trip were rated around 7-8k total each. so the lead working diesel pulled his 7-8k, leaving Big boy with the last 3-4k. Still very impressive considering it was designed for that weight class.

[@Stussmeister]

@@chloedegurechaff1941 A very valid point. I've done a little research on steam locomotive types, and from what I've read, engines with large wheels (like 844) were built for speed, whereas ones with small wheels (such as 4014) were designed for power.

[@chloedegurechaff1941]

@@Stussmeister That's my understanding too. I believe the most a single Big boy ever pulled was around 5000 tonnes.

[@Stussmeister]

@@chloedegurechaff1941 That's still quite impressive, especially for an octogenarian engine with thousands of parts.

[@DevonMopiedmont1143]

@@chloedegurechaff1941 and too be fair to the BigBoys and their smaller counterpart the Challenger. UP Challenger did pull an intermodal train on it's own once for promotional reasons, though intermodal is significantly lighter in many cases.

[@TwoRailfans]

What luck to have been able to witness this!

[@bnwohlers]

I'm very lucky my brother is one of the UP employees standing to my right. He restores the passenger cars at the heritage shop in Council Bluffs IA. He was along for support the whole way to Cheyenne.

[@robertjones1730]

I'm currently building a 12' long 4-6-2 Heavy Pacific model and let me tell you, you get a whole new appreciation for the engineering of these locomotives. Amazing is all I've got but it's not enough

[@HildegardActual]

There's just something magical and almost animalistic about a steam locomotive. The sound, the pistons moving, and man the whistle! It almost feels "alive" so to speak, a huge metal monster who makes her presence known wherever she gos. Sincerely hope they keep these pieces of American heritage around for the future generations to witness the engineering prowess of generations past.

[@rearspeaker6364]

the diesel went to notch 2, then back to idle, awesome!!!

[@FirewoodEnjoyer69]

I think that was just due to assist with the wheel slip 4014 was dealing with, probably just to prevent any damage to the locomotive upon start up until it got its footing again, but looks like 4014 started that train from the get go!

[@mxg75]

Notch 2! I’m not sure the auxiliary diesel is used to working that hard. 4015 has to be one of the most lightly used diesels for the number of miles put on it. They mostly use it as a booster to get started, and for dynamic brakes.

[@rearspeaker6364]

@@mxg75 just a nudge while 4014 was slipping, and it does get used for backing up also. IMO, it's an unofficial cool off cab for 4014's crew if necessary. also, its the PTC for 4014.

[@andrewbutler6477]

This locomotive is awesome my late dad was a steam train driver for British rail and was a big fan of us railways the size of the some of these us locos are massive compared to our British locomotives 🚆

[@kimweaver1252]

They are a product of our geography. Long hauls and lots of grades with big load of freight to haul. These were a part of the WW2 war effort.

[@stevensolway1054]

You see Direct comparison between steam in England 🇬🇧 and USA 🇺🇸 in Green Bay at NRRM with Gresley A4 60008 Eisenhower next to B.B. 4017 with 16 Drivers at 68" Dia., but A4 has 6 Drivers at 80" D. for express at 100 MPH like Elizabethan, and FLYING SCOTSMAN EXRESS from London North to Edinburg Scotland and Fastest A4 was Mallard 4468 on July 3, 1938, at 126 M.P.H.!!!!! WOW!!!!! MALLARD IS saved at York at National Railway Museum but display. And Brother "SIR NIGEL GRESLEY " is still running excursions. Hi on July 4, 2023A.D.! HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICA 🇺🇸 💙 ❤!!!!! ALL ABOARD.!! HIGHBALL 👋,!!-! NEXT STOP, EVERY PLACE,!!-! HOORAY!!!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA 🇺🇸 🙏 ❤!!!!! AND EVERY ONE ALL AROUND THE WORLD 🌎 🙏 ❤!!!!! GLORY ALLELUIA 🙏 ❤!!!!! AMEN ✝️ 🙏 ❤ ✝️ 🙏 ❤ ✝️ 🙏 ❤!!!!!

[@martihelives]

This is absolutely amazing to watch an old 50's super locomotive Big Boy brought back to life in the 2023 for such a situation as this - helping push a modern locomotive up the hill - an absolutely, incredible moment to capture and take in!!!

[@jimfling2128]

I grew up around steam engine Trains. My Dad worked for Southern Pacific during WW-II. When I was in the USAF in 1955 stationed in Rantoul Illinois our Barracks was near the base fence and across the fence were 2 R/R tracks. Evert day Stem Engine Trains came and went. We called them Cinder Slingers, They all burned Coal and the smoke was filled with cinders which made it difficult for us to keep the barracks clean and pass inspection. Most of my life I have lived near a R/R track with trains and a lot of them steam. I miss the sound of the whistle and the clunk of the couplers and squeal of the brakes.

[@-Master_Of_Disaster]

What a beauty. I'm glad we have people and companies out there who keep those incredible machines alive.

[@hueyiroquois3839]

What a lucky thing that 4014 just happened to be available totally by coincidence when this occurred.

[@johnsonpaul1914]

LOL, yeah amazingly convenient

[@RryhhbfrHhgdHhgd356]

The driver of the first train must have thought they were mishearing things when they first heard who was coming to get them unstuck. 😂

[@rabbytca]

A really nice show but a little too convenient to not have been partially staged. Someone mentioned it was only a 150 car train that stalled. It would have gotten started from the yard without a helper but then didn't have enough traction power in it's consist to maintain speed? How does that happen? Anyway, good to see the old boy still in motion even with 4015 boosting it. 🤩🎉

[@RryhhbfrHhgdHhgd356]

@@rabbytca Not sure 4015 even is boosting. Think they are just acting as a really heavy power generator for the passengers cars. And a backup in case the almost 100 year old 4014 decides they don’t want to behave today.

[@chainingsolid]

@@rabbytca Other places I've seen stated the stuck train had 2 desiel locomotives, but one broke.....

[@bryanh8508]

I was a pilot on the UP844 when they had drop the wheels after it slid creating flat spots. It’s very load up in the cab. You have to scream every word. It was a once in a lifetime experience. MKT “The Katy” 79

[@Nielsen.Brian.P]

Man, when 4014 stops and lets off the relief valve and that steam cloud billows up its like a living, breathing machine, rippling with power and majesty, waiting to be set free once again

[@Double_D__]

4014: "So, one of my so called 'replacements' is stalled, eh? Ha! So much for progress! Hang on tight, junior, I'll get you moving, no problem."

[@jasongoodman3495]

4014 really provin age aint nothin but a number to him

[@user-ut2ln8eb1e]

Pushing the train plus the weight of its own train. Impressive.. The restoration job on 4014 is just stunning. Well done all..

[@PhoenixRising251]

I'm 58 and have been facilitated with trains since I was a toddler. 4014 is the Icon of my heart hands-down, nothing on rails even comes close to matching it's unrivaled elegance and power. Hearing the the stack vent under load gave me chills but that's no where near what it's capable of! Also a shout-out to the man behind the camera. Outstanding job sir! 🇺🇸

[@bnwohlers]

Right place at the right time. Helps when my brother is part of the heritage crew, lol

[@PhoenixRising251]

@@bnwohlers I LIKES DIS!!! 😎😎😎

[@bnwohlers]

Be sure to check out the other videos from that day, there's some good ones out there.

[@PhoenixRising251]

@@bnwohlers Yes I've seen some others but thanks for reminding. 👍

[@PC-kd7dj]

It’s great to see this 82-year-old colossus steam locomotive still working! Of course it had a nearly 60 year forced layoff, so in a way it’s still in its prime! I also admire the Union Pacific’s yellow, red, and gray passenger cars. Now a lifetime ago when I was five, my family traveled in cars such as these between Portland, Oregon, and Kansas City. I will never forget that experience!

[@zyglo9826]

In 1954 I traveled with my parents to California on the UP’s Los Angeles Limited. We boarded the C&NW in Minneapolis (I think it was called the “North American”) and our sleeping car was switched into the Los Angeles Limited in Omaha during the night. Our sleeping car was the “American Trooper”. I’ve been a railfan ever since.

[@PC-kd7dj]

@@zyglo9826 My first train trip was in 1957 and the second one was a few years later. The locomotives pulling these UP trains were diesel, but I remember seeing steam locomotives along the route of the first trip.

[@garyharrall4002]

The incredible power this thing creates is just amazing. I get that the diesel locomotive was running to or so it sounded like it was, but that big boy was doing the majority of the work. Amazing.

[@kimweaver1252]

Usually the diesel is there for electrical power, braking, and heat in the winter. Big Boy wasn't supposed to be hauling passengers, so has some systems lacking. The diesel is also, obviously, handy in case a sturdy, but old, locomotive develops problems. It's obviously not needed for additional tractive effort.

[@rabidbigdog]

@@kimweaver1252 To run main-line, I believe they have a to have diesel 'backup' in case the commercial line has to be cleared.

[@kimweaver1252]

@@rabidbigdog As I said.

[@royreynolds108]

@@kimweaver1252 According to Ed, the diesel is there for backup and dynamic braking to save on the use of the brake shoes. They can't go into any of the engine houses or roundhouses to get brake shoes and similar items anymore. That makes a lot of sense.

[@bnwohlers]

you can hear the 4015 throttle up a bit soon after the 4014 lost traction

[@MrSanmanbob]

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL JOB OF REPAIR WORK ON THE 4041. TRULY A SIGHT TO SEE. WELL DONE GUYS.

[@pcrengnr1]

Just another day in the life of Big Boy. Just doing his job and earning his keep. UP has done a marvelous job of reso for both the Big Boy and Challenger.

[@feliciascott6874]

An absolutely awesome piece of video! Thank you so much for it! The steam locomotive 4014 showing its worth when some pencil pusher failed to assign enough locos to get a freight over a hill.

[@Prolificposter]

Or a mechanical failure of a unit reduced the hpt causing the stall.

[@marvindebot3264]

Negative, one unit of the HEP had failed.

[@MrChrissy1r]

Hello from England, Hi, I just love steam trains and watching this brought back memories of my childhood, the smell the power the smoke and steam brilliant stuff. Drone footage of the whole two trains starting to move would have been awesome, as of course there is no telling how many trucks were involved in the lead train or in total! Awesome power though and a great vid.

[@__-fm5qv]

Growing up in a world of comparitively boring diesel locomotives I never understood "train guys", but seeing that behemoth I think I understand it

[@dennisswaim8210]

Wow! I had no idea that there are still operational steam locomotives working the job in the country. I love it what a beauty, what power! Fantastic!

[@hagamapama]

This is a pretty rare occurrence. Things just lined up that time that Big Boy was the best engine to respond.

[@mikem5043]

So neat that this amazing piece of history can be kept running on the rails

[@BotherRed]

It's still kind of unreal to see 4014, or any steam locomotive for that matter, doing like *"real"* main line work in 2023 and not just pulling enthusiast trains.

[@FishKepr]

Strasberg occasionally uses their steam locomotives for local freight revenue work. Supposedly they used their converted Thomas a few weeks ago for a freight run.

[@BotherRed]

@@FishKepr Actually based if true

[@WiilyDerbbinphlatte]

Ok, there you go. Just proves that we are wasting our time with these diesel locomotives. They are unreliable and weak compared to Big Boy. Lets just call it what it is!! Steam is King of the Rails!! Time to go back to steam and let Big Boy rule the rails!

[@dsludge8217]

Last summer in Germany they used a preserved steam locomotive for a planned track refurbishment project when the planned diesel engine became "unavailable": kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnjYm6KPoMaEnJo (I love how the automated subtitles designates the sound of the loco as "Musik" :) )

[@dasy2k1]

The funny one recently here in the UK was when the diesel unit scheduled to pull a short engineering train into the Manchester Metrolink (light metro) line failed. The access from the mainline to the Metrolink is via a preserved railway and as most of the modern diesel locos don't fit through the metro platforms they normal use a 1960s diesel loco for the engineering trains.... But with the failure of the intended loco an 0-6-0 saddle tank by the name of swiftsure ended up running the engineering train without any diesel assistance

[@johnrickard8512]

Should the world be struck by an EMP, having this beautiful workhorse up and running will prove essential for recovery

[@coloursmoke]

Yep.. we will need all the steam powered machines again! Bound to happen! 🙂

[@justsoicanfingcomment5814]

Imagine how good of a steam engine we could build now if there was need to do so.

[@VestedUTuber]

@@justsoicanfingcomment5814 Well, we'd be able to mitigate or eliminate most of the maintenance issues, at least. Standardized machined parts allowing for easy repairs, abrasion-resistant materials to reduce wear and extend the life of various mechanical parts, solid lubricant coatings to eliminate the need for specialized steam oil, advances in design to optimize heating and reduce steam-up times, sealed bearings that don't need to be oiled every couple hundred miles or so, etc.

[@justsoicanfingcomment5814]

@@VestedUTuber Trust me. You do not want sealed bearings with heavy duty machinery under heavy use. It doesn't and well.

[@VestedUTuber]

@@justsoicanfingcomment5814 Sounds like you're not using the right sealed bearings. There's some really hefty ones on McMasterCarr that can take a 39,000lb load. Not necessarily beefy enough for 4014 but for something smaller like a D&RGW C38? That's more than enough. Plus you'd probably use multiple bearings where needed.

[@jeffneis553]

What a besutiful piece of engineering.

[@alexgerrits349]

As a hotrodder, I pride myself on respecting the biggest baddest meanest mover man has ever made... THIS is it! Space craft and stations are basic physics. THIS thing is a hand-built marvel of engineering. 1:21... Just LOOK at it majestically sitting there blowing clouds of energy.

[@donharsh1503]

Awesome love that locomotives ❤awesome video too watching enjoying too ❤

[@norman7179]

As a child, I remember living in a small town that had four railroads. Sometimes I'd wake up in the middle of the night and hear the whistles and puffing of the steam engines as they began to move out after refueling and filling their tank with water. The deeper sound of the bigger whistles gave me an uncomfortable/fearful feeling. Our back yard bordered the tracks and the man in the caboose would always wave if we were out in the daytime. Those are memories I'll always cherish. Loved the old steamers, they were REAL trains.

[@aircraftandmore9775]

Possibly the most single insane KZbin video ever recorded. It shows how freaking powerful these locomotives are even 64 years later