Union Pacific 4014 Big Boy

The first photograph I posted showed the impressive steam cloud as UP 4014 climbed out of the shallow Navasota River valley.

 

This photo shows a more oblique view of Big Boy and gives you a little better idea of the size of the engine which is huge.

 

Do you see the "Big Boy" written in chalk just underneath and slightly to the left of the bell? That is part of the story about how these massive engines got their name. Supposedly, a worker at the steam shop wrote that on one of the engines as it left the shop.

 

I like to think it was due to all the troubles that these engines caused: almost too big for the roundhouses and the turntables. Everything was jumbo sized, taxing the lifts and cranes. In addition, putting the two halves of the engine together must have been extra trouble.

 

As a result, I like to think the worker chalked that name on it more as an expression of relief that it was leaving the steam shop than pride in massive size.

 

Here are some links if you would like to know more about the Big Boys:

www.up.com/heritage/steam/4014/index.htm

 

Here is an interview with someone you might recognize from this photo:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-y_-nXHDqw

 

That is Mr. Ed Dickens Jr., the lead of the UP Heritage Steam Team and the Engineer dressed in blue in this photo.

 

Finally, this reminded me of one of my favorite songs from many years ago. These are the lyrics from Steve Fromholz, a Texas Songwriter, who wrote a trio of songs called Texas Trilogy:

 

...Well I remember me and brother

Used to run down to the depot

Just to listen to the whistle blow

When the train pulled into Kopperl

 

And the engine big and shiny

Black as coal that fed the fire

And the engineer he'd smile and say:

"Howdy, how ya fellas".

 

And the people by the windows

Playin cards and readin papers

Looked as far away to us as

Next summer school vacation...

 

 

D0A1035

Done