- Pilot flags — The flag of the current state Big Boy is traveling in is displayed on the fireman’s (left) side of the pilot. In this case, Big Boy is in Indiana, its first venture into the Hoosier State since it traveled west from Alco in 1941 during its delivery trip to the Union Pacific.2. The UP shield — A special cast American eagle and shield have been added for the coast-to-coast trip. The shield bearing the locomotive’s number is also adorned with a red, white, and blue banner bearing the dates “1776–2026.”3. Dynamos — The restored No. 4014 has greater electrical power needs than when it was in service originally. One steam-turbine dynamo could produce sufficient power then. Now, it takes three units to run an improved headlight, radios, and PTC equipment.4. Cab nomenclature — The figures on the cab explain several technical aspects of the Big Boy. There has been a change, however, from the original nomenclature.Original Restored 4014 — Locomotive number same 4-8-8-4 — Wheel arrangement same 68 — Diameter of driving wheels in inches same 23¾ × 32 — Cylinder diameter, piston stroke in inches same 540 — Weight on driving wheels in thousands of pounds same MB — Type of coal stoker DB — type of oil burner U.P. — Railroad ownership designation same5. Tender — No. 4014 is still running with the tender from Challenger No. 3985 (25-C-311). When No. 4014 was restored, No. 3985’s tender was put in service due to the tight schedule leading up to the Gold Spike 150th celebration in 2019. The Big Boy’s tender (25-C-116) is currently being restored by Railroad Heritage of Midwest America at its Silvis, Ill., facilities, and will remain there with No. 3985. The tender carries 6,200 gallons of fuel oil and 25,000 gallons of water.6. UPP 809 Jim Adams — Water stops aren’t available like they were in the steam days. Big Boy carries along an ample supply to keep the train moving. UPP 809 is a 28,000-gallon auxiliary water car, dating to 1937. It was fashioned from what was originally the tender of FEF-class 4-8-4 Northern No. 816. The car is named for Jim Adams, a longtime UP Steam Team pipefitter.7. UPP 814 Joe Jordan — Here is the second auxiliary water car that accompanies Big Boy. UPP 814 also holds 28,000 gallons. Between the locomotive tender and the two water cars, Big Boy travels with 81,000 gallons of water. This car also dates to 1937, when it was assigned to FEF-class 4-8-4 Northern No. 807. Joe Jordan was also a UP Steam Team pipefitter.8. Norfolk Southern No. 1776 — This SD70ACe is one of six locomotives NS is painting to celebrate America 250. The Bell is the first to emerge from the railroad’s Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, Pa. Artist Andy Fletcher, who has designed numerous other NS locomotives, created the patriotic scheme.9. Union Pacific No. 1776 — The UP released two America 250 locomotives. SD70M No. 1776, its long hood bearing the waving U.S. flag, is accompanying Big Boy on the eastern leg of the coast-to-coast tour.10. Art Lockman — Named for the former Cheyenne roundhouse foreman, Lockman (1929-2021) had a UP career spanning 43 years. He was considered an authority on steam locomotive maintenance. It is not surprising then that this car is the Steam Team’s rolling workshop. It carries lathes, drills, grinders, welding equipment, and other specialized tools, plus a massive parts inventory, a generator, and even laundry facilities. Built in 1962 by St. Louis Car Co. as a baggage car, it saw snowplow service as a tool car in 1973, and was assigned to the steam program in 1981.11. Howard Fogg — UPP 209 is one of the train’s power cars. Inside sits a head-end power generator, which helps supply electricity to the train. Also, since some Heritage Fleet cars still run with steam heat, a boiler is located here. There are three crew sleeping rooms, additional laundry facilities, and a shower on board. Howard Fogg (1917-1996) was a master watercolor artist specializing in railroad subjects. His stunning attention to detail made his works desirable at every level from the railroads to private collectors.12. Lynn Nystrom — This 1957 American Car & Foundry postal storage car is a rolling warehouse for Big Boy’s train. Anything from luggage and extra large parts to concession car merchandise will be hauled here. Lynn Nystrom (1941-2010) was a founding member of the UP Steam Crew and played a pivotal role in the revival of Challenger No. 3985. He began his railroad career as a Rock Island Railroad special agent in 1968. His ultimate dream was to qualify as a steam locomotive engineer, which he did with the Union Pacific in 2003.13. Willie James — You could call Willie James the heart, soul, and stomach of any UP steam train. Built in 1949 by the Budd Co. as a 10-6 sleeper named Pacific Domain, the car is now the Steam Crew’s mobile command post, main dining room, and sleeping quarters. A large, full-service kitchen can feed up to 40 at a time. James was an executive chef. In his career, he cooked in nearly every UP dining and business car, but his favorite kitchen was the one aboard the car that would eventually be named to honor him.14. UPP 2055 — This is the train’s main power station. Inside are two large Deutz diesel engines turning electric generators providing power for air conditioning, electric heating, and modern lighting and appliances. The car, built in 1962 by St. Louis Car Co., was part of the Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus train, following initial UP service. UP reacquired the car in 2017, after the circus closed, returning it to Armour Yellow and adding it to the Heritage Fleet.15. Pony Express — Here is the second rolling warehouse in the train. The Pony Express, however, carries heavier mechanical parts, backup hoses, rigging equipment and specialized steam tools that won’t fit elsewhere on the train. There is also ample room for general storage. The name represents the famous overland mail service run from 1860-1861 and the UP passenger train that ran between Denver and Salt Lake City from 1926 to 1954.16. Challenger — UPP 7015 is the last classic dome car built. Constructed in December 1958 by Pullman-Standard, it was assigned to the City of St. Louis. After the dawn of Amtrak, the car spent some time with the original Auto-Train before rejoining the UP fleet in 1989. It is configured as a dome-coach with upper and lower seating areas. The car is named for the UP passenger train The Challenger (Chicago to Los Angeles/San Francisco). Introduced in August 1935, the train featured three meals for less than $1 per day and registered nurse-stewardesses, a UP innovation.17. Promontory — Named for the Utah summit where the Union and Central Pacific railroads met on May 10, 1869 completing the Transcontinental Railroad. The car today is a mobile museum, carrying the “Experience the Union Pacific” exhibit. Immersive, interactive exhibits, including a diesel locomotive simulator, tell the railroad’s story. A number of special objects have been added to the displays for this trip celebrating America 250.
18. Omaha — American Car & Foundry delivered the car in 1949 as a 12-roomette, four-bedroom sleeper, the Western Star. During 1965, the car became Sun Rest and was reconfigured with 11-bedrooms. After a 1974 reconstruction, the car emerged as the Omaha, with eight bedrooms designed for executive service. The name pays tribute to the railroad’s home city.
19. City of Denver — From economy to five-stars. In 1959, the new No. 5011 featured a lunch counter and lounge area, designed for quick, economical service. In 1989, UP reacquired the car, gutted the interior, and converted it to a 36-seat high-end dining car. Guests sit at one of six round tables. A full-service kitchen occupies one end of the car. Named for the UP train City of Denver, which covered the 1,048 between Chicago and Denver in a lightning fast 16 hours.
20. Walter Dean — In 1955 UP received dome-coaches, diners, and lounges. UPP 9005 was, and still is, configured as a dome-lounge., albeit today with contemporary executive appointments. The dome offers lounge chair seating for 12. Under the dome is a full-service bar. Armchairs and sofas in the long-end lounge seat 18. Finally, a card room in the short end seats four. Walter Dean (1917-1999) was a UP dining car waiter starting in 1942. He moved up to a lounge car attendant on the City of Los Angeles, serving the likes of Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Mickey Rooney. After 1971, Dean was promoted to work UP’s executive trains, where he worked until his death in 1999…
What’s in Big Boy’s train?
