Close-up of the last remaining operational Big Boy train

MORGAN, Utah — In 1941, 25 of the largest steam engines ever produced rolled off the production line and were dubbed the Big Boys.

One reason they were created was because the freight running on the Ogden Canyon tracks put a strain on the steam engines.

So the Union Pacific decided to design a larger, more capable machine to haul all the freight required by the war effort.

Many locomotives called Evanston, Wyoming home as they made the round trip between Ogden and Evanston hauling heavy loads for the city.

Now, more than 80 years later, Engine 4014, the last remaining operational Big Boy train, has headed to Wyoming and Utah for the Fourth of July.

A RAILWAY CITY

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In Evanston, Wyoming, everywhere you look you’ll see train tracks.

“This is a railroad town. We’re here because of the railroad. We see the freight cars coming through multiple times a day all the time,” said James Davis, chairman of the Evanston Historic Preservation Commission. “We all have family members, relatives and friends who, in one way or another, worked for the railroad.”

A lifelong resident of Evanston, Davis remembers every train that has passed through town. From the tracks that run through town to the street signs to the town flag, everything indicates the railroad’s presence.

With announcements blaring over the loudspeakers, people began lining up along the tracks, like John Hoffmeister and his family.

“We came here for the opportunity to explore,” he said. “I mean, it’s a piece of history. They’re not going to get a chance to see that anywhere else.”

In style, the Big Boy 4014 made its grand entrance to the cheers and amazement of the crowd at the behemoth before them.

“It’s a real honour for the Big Boy, the largest steam engine ever built, to be housed here today,” James said.

Ed Dickens, Union Pacific’s director of heritage operations, stepped out of the engine.

In the video below, Dickens gives a tour of the Big Boy’s cabin.

Big Boy Ed video

“Look at the size of that thing. It’s huge,” Dickens remarked. “The ground shakes, you know. You can feel it resonating in your chest when the whistle blows. I mean, it’s exciting. People are cheering. It’s like a party rock concert atmosphere.”

If this were a rock concert, Ed would certainly be the star, and many would be hoping to pose for pictures and get his autograph as the man behind this machine.

BIG BOY

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The locomotive is 132 feet long and weighs 1.2 million pounds, as much as three conventional diesel locomotives today.

According to Union Pacific, because of their incredible length, the Big Boy’s frames are actually “articulated” to allow them to negotiate curves.

The engines are 7,000 horsepower and can hold 56,000 pounds of coal and 25,000 gallons of water.

The 4014 specifically rolled off the assembly line in November 1941 and was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company.

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As a special treat, Ed invited FOX 13 News reporter Spencer Joseph to ride in Big Boy’s cab.

The cabin is noisy, so it’s a little hard to hear, but Ed explained to us everything that was going on in the 4014 control center.

Alongside Ed, Jimmy Thompson, the fireman, must drive the train.

In the video below, Thompson explains his role on the train

jimmy thompson video

THE TRIP TO SALT LAKE

The trip to Salt Lake is one this train would have made often in the 1940s and 1950s.

It also offers picturesque views captured by FOX 13 News viewers.

Watch FOX 13 viewer Scott Taylor’s drone video of the big appearance!

Big Boy Scott Taylor

After making a brief stop in Morgan, Utah at their newly renovated train station, we headed to Salt Lake Central Station where a crowd of hundreds of people awaited.

“It runs so well, it’s like a Swiss watch coming to town,” Ed said of the engine, adding, “It’s so graceful, so smooth and so powerful. You can probably hear the excitement when you talk to us because it’s exciting.”

The 4014 reversed into the station, changed tracks to bring the train closer to the crowd, then entered in style.

UTA also brought two of its Front Runner trains alongside the locomotive to show how far we have come in technology.

The train came to a gentle stop and, with a whistle, the crowd burst into cheers.

CAPTURE THE IMAGINATION

As the audience marvels and takes selfies, everyone has a big smile on their face.

“That might be the greatest part of the whole experience for all of us,” Ed said.

It justifies all the hard work that went into creating this behemoth.

“We’re all very proud to be able to do this,” Ed said. “Union Pacific has a legacy, our country’s legacy.”

If you missed the incredible machine on the 4th of July, it will be back in a few weeks with a big stop in Ogden to show off even more vintage charm.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see the restored Union Pacific Rail Car baggage car, which now serves as a traveling history museum.

On July 20, the train will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on July 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.