UP BIG BOY 4014 on Donner Pass! (featuring Amtrak & UP freight) 7/14/2024 - Roseville to Sparks

Check out the scenes from Sunday, July 14th as Union Pacific’s Big Boy no. 4014 assaulted the steep grades of legendary Donner Pass! This is the first time a locomotive of this class has ever gone up the impressive summit, and it’s the largest to ever conquer it! Amtrak’s California Zephyr also makes appearances, as both the eastbound and westbound trains glide by. We also get a westbound hotshot Z-train on its way to Oakland!
Locations:
Auburn, CA
Casa Loma, CA
Soda Springs, CA

[@AlexanderSkinnerVids]

I only saw this while rewatching at 8:33 but take a look at the roof of the front of the fifth passenger car, the “Pony Express. Just above where the front bogie is, see that object next to the roof seam? That’s the drone that crashed/landed on/into the train in Colfax and was removed for a grease stop at Emigrant Gap. I’d love to see that footage! Ten dollars monopoly currency to whoever uploads it to KZbin.

[@sunking2001]

I saw the train Fri. 7/12/2024 In Roseville, CA. With videos like yours I can actually hear the locomotive working. Great video!

[@thunderbird1921]

This is actually among the hardest I've heard 4014 work since it returned to operation in 2019 (apart from maybe a brief stretch on the Stowe Creek area on the Golden Spike 150 Run).

[@eva.cassidy]

Even the heritage unit was working and smoking too.

[@lilfrostygamplays1665]

That Stack Talk is Beautiful Highball Up 4014🚂🚃🚃🚃🔥

[@landhopper4296]

That’s quite something!

[@SirChaosOmega]

Imagine riding a passenger train and the Big Boy just randomly passes you going the other direction.

[@TrainLover-wt9ix]

Big Boy Jumpscare be like

[@thunderbird1921]

Big Boy finally got a real workout after multiple journeys in flatter country! Impressive exhaust and sounds to say the least.

[@AlexanderSkinnerVids]

Always great to get it on a grade so it can CHUG!

[@tigertiger1699]

Great vid🙏🙏 But interesting the in every vid of the big boy…. the diesel is flat out/ near flat out on a relatively small train

[@transitspotter320]

Nice video my friend

[@blairterry9435]

The 1st Big Boy under steam over Donner Pass! It’s incredible to see 4014 traveling over SP territory. It’s pretty interesting that WP wanted to add Big Boys to their steam fleet, but didn’t order them in favor of diesels.

[@AlexanderSkinnerVids]

Indeed a fascinating story. They begrudgingly ordered a few Northerns from Lima as their last steam locomotive order, same design as SP’s Golden State class. I saw one of the tenders of those units in Portola on Wednesday!

[@CaliforniaRailProductions]

I was across the the freewary in the first shot

[@Dave_9547]

Until I watched the Big Boy crossing the trestle over I-80 at Auburn, I had never appreciated how massive that structure is. It appears to be seriously overbuilt, not a bad thing I guess? Your sound in the last sequence is great.

[@The_Aviator_Railfan]

1:21 Foamer alert!

[@AEM7andthomasfan]

To whoever that goober is, I'm sure the Amtrak crews aren't amused...

[@backonpro5679]

The rare mountain foamer

[@paulellis2208]

Wow! Just, wow!❤

[@HunterWilliams-le9bk]

From what I know, 4014 is capable of pulling long heavy trains.

[@hoghead-on5ux]

UP 1983 should not be throwing black smoke. That engine is 19 years old, looks pretty but needs help. This territory was SP Cab Forward’s domain. They won’t run 4014 hard through tunnels, snow sheds whatever else up there so as to not scald the crew.

[@eva.cassidy]

Think the hill put both 4014 and 1983 up to the task.

[@tigertiger1699]

That diesel is working hard

[@rearspeaker6364]

taking a load off the artifact.

[@tigertiger1699]

@@rearspeaker6364 For sure…👍

[@tedfisk1211]

Great vantage point. both 4014 and the diesel were working on the grade

[@trubus1085]

Skip to 8:12

[@TheBrandon40500]

Wish they would bring back 3985

[@HunterWilliams-le9bk]

3985 is undergoing restoration to operational condition at the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America in Silvis, Illinois alongside 5511.

[@steamtechnicolor461]

11:00 I saw diesel locomotive helper emiss smoke. Does it help Big Boy 4014 pull the train?

[@codysobel7189]

From what I have gathered all it does is supply electrical power to the other cars.

[@Th3Rambler]

@@codysobel7189wrong. No UP diesel that I know of is equipped with HEP(head end power). Typically a converted passenger car with generators (called a power car) provides electrical power to the train. The SD70ACe here is providing tractive effort. It’s definitely helping the 4014 up the hill.

[@codysobel7189]

@@Th3Rambler ahh ok thanks for clarifying

[@regularguy7266]

@@codysobel7189 just to clarify, it's not because the Big Boy doesn't have enough power. 4014 has about 135,000 lb. of tractive effort and can produce between 5,000 to 7,500 horsepower, and with the somewhat light consist, it could pull this consist with no trouble. The diesel is providing tractive effort in this case in order to extend the 4014s fuel mileage and so that the trip could make it to Sparks on time. Unfortunately, there were several track problems and issues during the excursion, such as the tree that fell down in North Aubrun, California. This cancelled many stops along the excursion and display stops during the locomotives tour, but besides the hiccups, 4014 put on an amazing show throughout Donner Pass!

[@AlexanderSkinnerVids]

It helps push it in order to reduce the maintenance needed. Less wear and tear really helps the longevity of the parts, as we can see with how heavy 3985 was used just in excursion service. There’s an excellent video by Hyce that explains this.

[@Btraffers]

I wonder if they’ll do further modifications to the oil firing configuration in the fire box. She runs a bit Smokey when it’s working hard.

[@AlexanderSkinnerVids]

@@Btraffers I think a lot of the smokiness was just Ed dumping more oil into the firebox than necessary just for the effect 🤪

[@GFSwinger1693]

Some of those containers seem to be power units. Never seen that before. I guess they are powering reefer containers? I always thought the reefer containers were self powered?

[@AlexanderSkinnerVids]

@@GFSwinger1693 I noticed that as well, they were powering various containers throughout the train. The cables for it were attached to the exterior of the well cars with zip ties. I think it’s a practice that’s been used for a while, but this is the first time I’ve seen it. Neat to see!

[@GFSwinger1693]

@@AlexanderSkinnerVids Cool. I just thought it was I being behind the times. Cheers.

[@lucastrainverse8618]

Come see lucastrainverse!🎉

[@user-wz2qe2pv6r]

Way too much pollution..whats going on?

[@jimrockford3662]

What’s with the gay guy dancing?

[@rearspeaker6364]

Bees!!!

[@john2914]

What a shame they put the deisel engine with these steam trains. I am not in need of anyone expaining to me why that is, so dont do it. Get rid of the deisel engines for these steam trains. Dull stuff

[@GFSwinger1693]

So I guess even though someone explained it to you ya still don't get it. lol