Union Pacific No. 4014
goes where no 4-8-8-4
has gone before
by Jim Wrinn
Generally accepted history is that Union
Pacific Big Boy steam locomotive operating
territory ended at the eastern yard limits of
North Platte, Neb. While it is true that the
locomotives were set up and run west upon
arrival in Omaha, Neb., there’s no evidence
to suggest they visited UP’s headquarters city
thereafter. From 1941 to 1959, they were
creatures of Utah and Wyoming main lines
with occasional sorties into Denver or North
Platte. But in July and August 2019, that part
of Big Boy history was rewritten and ex-
panded when newly restored No. 4014 went
on tour in eastern Nebraska, Iowa, Minne-
sota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, a month-long,
1,500-mile jaunt into places where Big Boys
had not steamed before.
Big iron horse No. 4014 gallops with a herd of
startled horses just outside Grand Island,
Neb., on the morning of July 12 on the journey
to Omaha, Neb. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn
TrainsMag.com 33