Derailment postpones Big Boy move
June 16, 2013 / Updated September 18, 2013
Heritage
Today’s scheduled move of the “Big Boy” has been put on hold.
The Museum of the American Railroad announced Saturday that the planned transfer of the Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy from Fair Park to Frisco, TX, was cancelled because of a derailment along the route in which the locomotive is to be escorted. A new date has not been announced.
“We regret any inconvenience this may cause to our stakeholders and supporters,” said a statement from the museum on Saturday morning announcing the delay. “We are very appreciative of all the efforts put forth by the local railroads as we continue to move the collection from Dallas to Frisco.”
MAR is making the move with assistance from the Dallas, Garland and Northeastern Railroad and BNSF Railway.
On Saturday, MAR hosted museum supporters, volunteers and media members for an “exercising” of the Big Boy and photos.
In a deviation from normal cover content, the Cowcatcher features the latest in 4000 series Big Boys, Minitrix's N-scale No. 4013. Why? It's one smooth-running model and the mood was just right. No. 4013 pulled 26 cars and a caboose effortlessly on Olaf Melhouse's Dakota Northern at the same time Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 was rolling through North Texas on its latest tour across the Midwest. Both the model and prototype are equally impressive. Check out the full review in the November/December 2024 issue.
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