In this special episode, Jay Leno explores the world’s largest steam engine—the iconic Union Pacific "Big Boy." This 600-ton behemoth, originally built in 1941, is the most powerful steam locomotive ever created. Join Jay as he dives deep into the rich history, mind-blowing technology, and sheer power behind this engineering marvel. Thanks to Union Pacific and National Park Foundation for making this possible!
Saw this a True Blue Sam's place. Well worth watching. I have seen the 4014, I'd make some serious sacrifices to ride in the cab on a run.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely effing beautiful
ReplyDeleteThe Big Boy doesn't need hyperbole. It wasn't the largest, wasn't the most powerful, etc. It was among the largest and powerful. It was, arguably, the most successful articulated North American steam locomotive and is the only one still running. I'm bothered by writers who don't take time to get their facts straight.
ReplyDeleteWatching it run in person is a treat.
The C&O Allegheny was in the same class. I believe those two trade off on which is #1 by picking certain specs. There's one stuffed and mounted at Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.
DeleteFor decades we were told a BB would never run again.
ReplyDeleteit's an incredible machine built by guys with little formal education but a lot of hands on training. The castings and forgings that went into this were engineering marvels The boiler shell is over 1inch thick and rolled on a big machine. It was stood upright on a riveter while the operator sat several stories high. The frame castings included the cylinders, valve chambers, brake hangers, front bumper, rear cradle, valve gear hangers and I think even the air reservoirs like the 4-8-4s. These castings were a form of art, the cylinders included the ports cast in for the flow of steam in and out of the valves. The back cylinder heads were cast in place. It required 700 hp just to work the 4 valves (12" I think). Too big to machine the machines were brought to the castings for machining. The firebox is the size of a small living room. Imagine your living room fully engulfed in a roaring fire.
We lost a lot when we lost the rust belt.
I am SO hard right now…
ReplyDeleteIt should be mentioned that the man Jay interviewed is Ed Dickens, the man who headed the restoration of 4014 and a master steam whistle operator. Boy, can he make that baby sing.
ReplyDeleteJay's trying to buy it and add to his collection...
ReplyDeleteHow a steam locomotive works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hszu80NJ438/
ReplyDeleteIt came through my area a few years ago. It wasn't running under its own power at that time, but pushed along by diesel engine. The boiler had enough steam to blow the whistle long and loud.
ReplyDeleteProbably when they moved it for restoration
DeleteAn amazing piece of machinery.
ReplyDeleteIt's coming near me in a few days, and I've got a country crossing I'll be parked at.
ReplyDeleteIt will be in Houston this Sunday, the 6th. Gonna miss church, but the Lord will understand!
ReplyDeleteThe Lord will likely be with you
DeleteMy son is a mechanical engineer and they still study steam as part of the degree course at university. He's developed a fondness for steam locomotives and 4014 in particular (probably because of its high profile). I've always like trains and steam in particular but doubt I'll ever get back to the US for a ride.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad (born in 1919) sailed gasoline tankers in WWII. He eventually became licensed as a Chief Engineer on both Diesel and Steam engine freighters.
DeleteYou've got me wondering whether the Coast Guard even offers licenses for steam engines these days.
Talk about a lost art.
@Elmo
Deletehttps://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/CG-CVC/MIR/JobAids/Domestic/MachinerySteam/MS_PQS_2021.pdf
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/MSC/PRG/PRG.E1-18.2021.04.22.Main%20and%20Auxiliary%20Boiler%20Systems.pdf
Thanks, Wisco.
DeleteI remember my Dad studying for hours on end for those tests. They weren't easy to pass.
I had the privilege to video the Big Boy as it made its way from Roseville, CA to Sparks, NV over the Sierra Nevada mountains. What an incredible machine to see climbing up the hills.
ReplyDeleteHere is the schedule for the tour they are doing right now.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm
I live near Cheyenne, Wyoming, where 4014 was brought back to life. I've seen it four times and each time it's left me speechless. It is an incredible piece of machinery. The diesel that sometimes travels with it isn't generally used for propulsion but braking. The braking mechanism on 4014 has parts that had to be custom machined and were extremely expensive to make. They're trying to make the parts last as long as possible. Now, 4014 is outfitted with PTC (positive train control, in the beginning it was not)) and can operate on the UP system without having to have a diesel inline. If you have the opportunity to see 4014, do it. You won't forget the experience.
ReplyDeleteFriends and I were in Cheyenne for Frontier Days back in 2017 . We were day tripping in the area on Lincoln Hwy when came to a spot on the road named Medicine Bow. Big Boy was stopped there because another train, diesel electric, was coming from the opposite direction. We stopped and checked him out, he wasn't as clean or shiny at that time but definitely a great sight to see..
DeleteJD
Take a look http:// ... swansongrp ... dot .... com .... slash .... 4014
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!