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Seventh in series of posts about traveling in Colorado & Wyoming.
Cheyenne’s Big Boy locomotive is a really big deal
It happened that our first and one of our primary stops in Cheyenne was to see “Big Boy” locomotive #4004. It’s a massive restored steam locomotive on view in Holliday Park. While it was on a list of things to see in Cheyenne, we had no idea that it was a huge attraction in more ways than one.
Holliday Park itself is an attraction in Cheyenne. It offers so much: an art center, basketball courts, a bike path, horse shoes, a pond, picnic facilities, play areas, restrooms, tennis courts, and more. Big Boy dominates one corner and there’s plenty of parking close to it.
Cheyenne’s Big Boy Locomotive a Big Part of Railroad History
A Big Boy is the world’s largest steam locomotive, and when you see one, there’s no doubt. The powerful coal-fired engine is designed to pull a 3600-ton train over the steep grades between Cheyenne, WY and Ogden, Utah. The locomotives are 132 feet long and weigh 1.2 million pounds. Because they are so long, they are hinged, or articulated so that they can get around the curving railroad tracks. Just to walk around #4004 is like walking a city block or two.
The sign by #4004 and the Union Pacific Company website, explain that 25 Big Boys were made exclusively for the Union Pacific Railroad. When working on the first engine, a worker chalked the name, “Big Boy”, on the smoke box door and the name stuck.
Big Boy locomotives ran from 1941 until the late 50’s or so, when more efficient diesel engines came into favor. The 4004 is one of seven remaining Big Boys on display throughout the country. To find out more about the Big Boys and Union Pacific, click here.
Cheyenne’s Big Boy Locomotive Restoration and Tour
We researched #4004 and we discovered that Union Pacific brought Big Boy #4014, one of #4004’s “brother” engines, back to Cheyenne for restoration in 2013. It returned to service in May 2019 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s Completion. As part of the celebration, they christened #4014 at Cheyenne Depot Station, our next stop.
After the christening and commemoration ceremony of the driving of the Golden Spike, which marked the transcontinental railroad’s completion, Big Boy #4014 set off on a tour of the Union Pacific system. It’s route goes through Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and back to Wyoming by the end of 2019. Here’s a link to the schedule: Big Boy #4014 Tour Schedule. If you, or anyone you know likes trains, it’s absolutely worth checking out.
Not a railroad buff? Big Boy is worth going out of your way to see. The Big Boy is a tribute to United States history, mechanical engineering and design, and historic preservation.
For those who would like to know more about how the Transcontinental Railroad came about and the Union Pacific’s role, click here.
Cheyenne Steamers – Family Railroad Fun
Operated seasonally, the Cheyenne Steamers is a affordable miniature train ride that fits all shapes and sizes, and ages. The train travels a around a 1/10 mile circuit track. Enjoy your time riding the train or watch kids have fun. It’s located next to the Cheyenne Ice & Events Center at 1530 W. Lincolnway. Be sure to check ahead of time to see if the ride is operating to avoid disappointment. Follow on FB: facebook.com/cheyenne.steamers/
Other train attractions in Cheyenne include: Cheyenne Depot and Cheyenne Depot Museum (121 W. 15th St., Engine 1242 (Carey Ave. & Lions Park Dr.), French Merci Train (2001 E. Lincolnway), and Ames Monument (West on 1-80, Exit 329).
