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COWCATCHER MAGAZINE

Union Pacific announces schedule for Big Boy’s return, public display with Living Legend No. 844

March 14, 2019 / Updated June 26, 2023

Heritage

Union Pacific’s Big Boy will leave Cheyenne, WY, May 4 and arrive in Ogden May 9 for a celebration at Ogden Union Station. – Courtesy Union Pacific

Union Pacific announced today the commemorative tour schedule for its historic steam locomotives, Big Boy No. 4014 and Living Legend No. 844. The iconic steam locomotives will unite for the first time in a public display May 9 in Ogden, UT, during UP’s celebratory event marking the transcontinental railroad’s 150th anniversary.

The festivities include recreating the iconic photo taken May 10, 1869, when the last spike was tapped into place at Promontory Summit, creating America’s first transcontinental railroad. UP no longer has tracks near Promontory Summit (they were removed to support the scrap metal projects during World War II).

“Completing the transcontinental railroad was a major feat that united America and laid the foundation for the country’s growth, economic progress and improved the way of life,” said Scott Moore, senior vice president – Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer. “The restored steam engines are rolling pieces of history that take us back in time as we celebrate this momentous anniversary. We’re excited to share No. 844 and No. 4014 with our communities, and invite generations to join us along the tour.”

No. 844 will leave Cheyenne, WY, April 27. It will make several brief whistle-stops in communities along the way and arrive in Ogden on April 28. The Living Legend will be on display at Ogden Union Station through May 11.

The Big Boy’s return follows more than two years of restoration. Of eight Big Boys still in existence, No. 4014 is the only operational one in the world.

It will leave Cheyenne May 4 following a 9:30 a.m. MT christening ceremony at the historic Cheyenne Depot and arrive in Ogden for the May 9 celebratory event at Ogden Union Station. The Big Boy also will make several whistle-stops in communities along its route.

A comprehensive tour schedule, including No. 844 and No. 4014 GPS location tracking information is available on the company’s steam page. Running times and scheduled stops are subject to change, the company said.

The 150th anniversary celebration will continue throughout the year with No. 4014 visiting several states across the Union Pacific system. A tentative schedule with tour locations and dates will be published  soon.

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Tuned In

Spring is when large-scale model railroaders with their green thumbs plant and prune colorful foliage grown nearly to scale. In some areas, maintaining outdoor layouts is quite challenging because of changing weather. Nancy Norris, an author who builds garden railroads professionally, says some plant varieties have become more difficult to grow in certain Hardiness Zones. In some cases it means garden railroaders having to put more emphasis on growing native plants rather than relying on varieties more susceptible to extreme conditions. She recommends new gardeners consult with their local nurseries for the best choices for an outdoor layout. Norris also has a few recommendations of her own.

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Sweeping tariffs imposed on goods imported into the United States are stirring model railroad manufacturers. As a result, model railroading and other hobbies will cost more. In February the U.S. applied a 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China, and the tax has since escalated. Suppliers – including Athearn, InterMountain Railway Co., Broadway Limited, Rapido Trains and ScaleTrains – have been putting dealers and customers on notice that prices will increase tariffs are implemented.

Managing Freight Cars

The first rule of railroading is “expect movement on any track at any time in any direction.”  This may seem like an overabundance of caution, but railroading is a dangerous sport. Always expect a train when you’re around the tracks. The second rule of railroading is that there is an exception to every rule. The North American freight car fleet in 2023 consisted of 2.03 million rail cars, according to Railinc’s Umler Equipment Index. Rail car fleet management — how empty cars get dispatched to move to their next loading point — is an ever-moving process and often requires fleet car managers to be nimble.

Plus

A vintage Lionel store display is always a crowd pleaser, Atlas' N-scale True-Track is the right solution for a new test track on the Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad, The Green Diamond was Illinois Central's gem on the St. Louis-to-Chicago route and more!