Union Pacific 4017
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 Big Boy #4014 on display in Pomona, CA |
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| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | American Locomotive Company |
| Serial number | 69588 |
| Build date | December 1941 |
| Configuration | 4-8-8-4 |
| UIC classification | (2'D)D2' |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) |
| Driver size | 68 in (1.7 m) diameter |
| Length | 132 ft 9¼ in (40.47 m) |
| Weight on drivers | 540,000 lb (245 t) |
| Locomotive and tender combined weight | 1,208,750 lb (548.2 t) |
| Tender capacity | 28 short ton (25 t) of coal; 25,000 US gallon (90 m³) of water |
| Boiler pressure | 300 lbf/in² (2 MPa) |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Cylinder size | 23¾ in (603 mm) dia × 32 in (813 mm) stroke |
| Top speed | 80 mph (130 km/h) |
| Tractive effort | 135,375 lbf (602.18 kN) |
| Career | Union Pacific |
| Number in class | 25 |
| Preserved | Donated June 1961, National Railroad Museum, Green Bay, Wisconsin |
Big Boy was the nickname given to the Union Pacific Railroad's twenty-five 4000 class 4-8-8-4 steam locomotives built between 1941 and 1944 by Alco.
[edit] History of the 4017
UP 4017 was built in Schenectady, New York during 1941. During its 20 year career with the Union Pacific it ran more than 1 million miles.
The Union Pacific Railroad donated 4017 to the National Railroad Museum in July, 1961.
From 1961 until 2001 the 4017 sat outside, exposed to the harsh Wisconsin winters. As luck would have it, the Union Pacific took great steps to preserve the locomotive. They put a protective layer of a foam-like material in the firebox and in the smokebox to reduce the likelihood of rusting. They also applied two large covers over the massive smoke stacks. These efforts kept the innards of the beast well preserved, but the boiler jacket was not removed. Eventually the Museum had the boiler jacket removed. This decision protected the exterior of the boiler from severe rusting from constant water contact.
In 2000 the 4017 moved for the last time. 4017 is now placed indoors the Lenfesty Center at the National Railroad Museum.
[edit] External links
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