Union Pacific Big Boy #4014

 The Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 is a historic locomotive originally built in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady New York. It was assigned to haul heavy freight trains in the Wasatch Mountains.

We saw on the news that it was stopping in Salt Lake City, on it’s way to Wyoming to be restored, so we made it a point to go see it, cause you know, I like trains, and historic things.

Note: This is an archive post. Pictures from May 2014. I wanted to reference it and realized I never made a post about it so typing this up in May 2026.

Quick Details:

Length: However much you wander.
Trail Type: Get out and see, with a little wander.
Difficulty: DR1. Get out and see.
Elevation Gain: NA
Restroom: No
Dogs? I’m not sure, but probably not, and they probably wouldn’t like it either.
Other Info:

To Get Here:

This was somewhere in the trainyards north of downtown. I can’t remember exactly where. But it was a single day event anyway.

The Adventure:

Big Boy in the back and a more modern engine in the front. I am a little confused why the modern one has #4014 as well. I guess cause it is towing it?

Also, I mentioned we heard about this on the news right? Well, so did EVERYBODY ELSE! Hah. That’s the rub though. I love that the news tells me about neat things like this, but they tell everybody else too!

Downtown Salt Lake City.

I was not expecting it to be this busy.

With some more train.

Closer. This was super neat!

Originally built in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady New York. Big Boy was assigned to haul heavy freight trains in the Wasatch Mountains.

He was retired in December 1961 and was donated to the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society. It was displayed in the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California.

in 2013 Union Pacific re-acquired the locomotive and launched a restoration project at its steam shop in Cheyanne Wyoming. It was being towed to Cheyanne, this was a quick stop on it's route there.

Wow that is neat. 8 of these big steam engines have survived and are on display around the county.

American Locomotive Company sign.

I loves him.

So, right now it is not running. They expect restoration will take 3-5 years.

And it took 5. in 2019 No. 4014 moved on it’s own power after sitting dormant for almost 6 decades, becoming the worlds largest operational steam locomotive, and the only operating Big Boy locomotive of the 8 that still exist.

From the back.

Closer.

Wheels and such.

The cab.

I think this is why I didn’t post this originally. I don’t like having people in my shots and there are lots and lots of people.

Wheels.

Towards the front.

Towards the back.

Towards the front.

Best shot of the front. We tried to wait for a turn, but it was absolute chaos. Again, I think this is why I chose not to post anything before. Wayyy too many people. But, I mean, they are doing exactly what I am so I can’t be too mad. Hopefully I get another chance to see this bad boy some day.

The other side.

Most of the locomotive without people.

Top.

The front again.

The side again.

Downtown again.

Well, aside from the hundreds of people milling about, this was way cool! I am glad we came to see it. I am also really glad that it is being restored. I absolutely loved seeing the neat, historic engine, but holy crap the people. 7 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, it was pretty much get out and see, with a little wandering. DR1.

Dogs, well I am not sure, but I mean, they probably wouldn’t like it anyway.