Union Pacific's Big Boy, the World's Largest Steam Engine, Visits West Chicago
Union Pacific 4014, better known as Big Boy , is one of 25 4-8-8-4 locomotives manufactured for UP between 1941-44. Of these 25, only eight are still around, and of those eight, only one, 4014, is in operating condition. UP 4014 at West Chicago after stopping for what will be a three night stay. Big Boy got its name from an unknown worker who wrote the phrase on the front of 4000, and is currently the largest operating steam engine in the world. Big Boy heading westbound on the south track at West Chicago station, greeted by thousands of onlookers, drones and even a helicopter. Letting off steam after parking. It is difficult to get the entire thing in one photo! Now once again in operation, Union Pacific is showing it off across the western United States. It was at Promontory for the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad , and moved as far east as Milwaukee. I guess I was a little too close. You can really feel the heat emanating from this bea