Union Pacific 4012 Big Boy - Scranton, PA
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N 41° 24.439 W 075° 40.267
18T E 443906 N 4584192
The BIG BOY- the Union Pacific 4012.
Waymark Code: WM1E5M
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 04/17/2007
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Rose Red
Views: 656

Long ago, the Union Pacific wanted to move trains from Ogden to Wasatch, so they asked their Department of Research and Mechanical Standards to design a locomotive that could pull a 3600 ton train unassisted over a 1.14% grade. They came up with the Big Boy.
The 4-8-8-4. It was used to haul heavy freight and 25 were built starting in 1941. The first group were referred to as class 1, they were numbered 4000-4019, the second group, referred to as class 2 were numbered 4020-4024. The average accumulated miles for these locomotives was about 1 million miles each. The last revenue freight pulled by a BigBoy was in July 1959. All Big Boys have been retired.
This beauty sat in front of the Lackawanna Station Hotel in downtown Scranton, PA, it now sits in front of the Steamtown National Historic Site. It is an impressive machine. Currently UP 4014 is being completely restored to running condition in UP's Cheyenne, WY shops, in the midst of a 3 to 5 year restoration plan. It is expected to be on the rails by mid 2019. In the meantime, take a moment to stop and visit this awesome locomotive. Please take a photo of yourself and group by the train and post it, we would love to see it.
Locomotive Type: (required): Steam

If "other" what is the engine type? (optional):
Choo-choo


Do you need to pay an entrance fee to view this locomotive? (required): No

If a fee is required what is the approximate cost for admittance? (optional):
There is a fee to enter the Train Museum, but this Big Boy sits in all its splendor right out in front for all to enjoy without cost.


How accessible is this locomotive display? (Required): Display is behind a fence, access is limited to viewing only.

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