Union Pacific's Big Boy is Coming to Colfax! (4)

On July 14, 2024, the Union Pacific 4014, famously known as "Big Boy," made history by conquering the challenging terrain of Donner Summit—a feat that no Big Boy had ever attempted before. Union Pacific 4014 is the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, weighing in at over 1.2 million pounds. This locomotive is a marvel of engineering, with its 4-8-8-4 wheel configuration specifically designed to tackle steep grades and long hauls, which was essential during its initial service period in the 1940s and 1950s.

Originally built in 1941, Big Boy locomotives were intended to traverse the rugged landscapes of the American West, hauling heavy freight over the Wasatch Mountains and other difficult terrains for Union Pacific. Designed for power, these giants stretched over 132 feet long and had the ability to reach impressive speeds, making them crucial for the fast and efficient transportation of goods during the peak of America’s railroading era.

This journey, hosted by Hawley MacLean, offers a unique glimpse into the power and legacy of steam railroading. Hawley’s voyage with the Big Boy begins in Union Pacific’s historic Roseville Railyards, a major hub in California for freight and passenger trains since the early 1900s. Roseville’s railyards were vital to the expansion of the transcontinental railroad, linking California’s rail network with the rest of the nation.

In this 4 part 1 episode, viewers will ride alongside Hawley through the California foothills from Auburn towards Colfax, California.

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