There were twenty-five Big Boys built during 1941 for UP, with eight still existing. 4041 is the world’s only operative Big Boy out of that group. Under the capable leadership of Ed Dickens, UP senior engineer, a two-year extensive restoration project brought this venerable mechanical marvel back to ride the rails.
From its restoration depot in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Big Boy began its commemorative trail “The Great Race Across the Southwest” in 2019 celebrating the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad's completion. The route proceeded west from Cheyenne through the Rockies, into Southern California then eastward through the southwest deserts crossing Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The route continued northward making a large loop entering Denver with a final run to the north and back to the “barn” in Cheyenne. 4014 traveled from summer to the beginning of winter with a variety of weather conditions, ranging from hot deserts to snowbound prairies and mountains.
In concert with UP’s excursion, the NPF and their select guests would board the 4014 in San Antonio to ride a portion of the UP anniversary route to Houston, Texas. The newly restored locomotive rolled into San Antonio’s Sunset Station where our group enjoyed a tour of the train. Its heritage group of cars afforded us a peek into the elegance and comfort of rail travel from yesteryear.
ALL ABOARD IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Throngs of crowds stood in line for hours to herald the entry of the Big Boy 4014 into San Antonio’s Sunset Station. Every age group was represented, from families with young children to venerable seniors,