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Midwest Rail Rangers on TrainWeb: Behind the Scenes with the UP Big Boy 4014

Midwest Rail Rangers - Behind the Scenes with the UP Big Boy #4014

A TrainWeb.com Article by the Midwest Rail Rangers, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization presenting onboard educational programs on the South Shore Line and private rail excursions across the Midwest

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Robert Tabern - President, Midwest Rail Rangers &
Kandace Tabern - Educational Officer, Midwest Rail Rangers
Email: info@railrangers.org


Published: August 6, 2019


http://www.trainweb.org/outsidetherails/BigBoyChicago2019


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For many, the most memorable “train experience” of 2019 will go down as seeing the Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 steam locomotive in action. After many years of hard work by Union Pacific's "Steam Team", the world's largest operating steam locomotive made its debut this year... just in time for the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike in Utah. Following that, in late July and early August 2019, it went on a tour of several mid-western states, including Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

Like probably many of you who are reading this article on TrainWeb.com right now, we thought about going out to Promontory Point, Utah for the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike on May 10, 2019. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out. We had prior travel commitments that weekend… plus we simply didn’t want to deal with the massive crowds that we heard were forecasted to attend. On top of it, we had just visited Golden Spike National Historical Park about two years ago on a separate trip to the National Park Service units of the Inter-Mountain West… and didn’t want to spend the money going back to some place we had just traveled to.

Anyway… we were quite happy to learn that the Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 would actually be coming to our neck of the woods for a visit in July!  Count us in!

The first chance we had to see the Big Boy #4014 was on Thursday, July 25, 2019 when it was making its way between Altoona, Wisconsin and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We decided to stake out a grade crossing (Marcy Road) in the town of Menomonee Falls (about 25 miles northwest of Milwaukee) to watch it come in around 12:45pm. We picked a rather rural crossing and thought we might be the only ones out there... but to our surprise around 50 other people would also be joining us!  The local news media in Milwaukee did a pretty good job about getting the word out about the steam engine coming through. A lot of people lined various grade crossings in Southeast Wisconsin because the Big Boy #4014 would not be making any public stops in the area. The train overnighted in the Bulter, Wisconsin UP Yards northwest of Milwaukee... but given the set-up of the yards... it was not really practical to have the general public come out and tour. So unless someone from Southeast Wisconsin wanted to drive to Chicago... going to watch it comes through at a grade crossing was going to be about the only option.

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Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 makes its way through Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin around 12:45pm on Thursday, July 25, 2019

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The Midwest Rail Rangers put up our new drone to catch the Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 come through Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Later on the evening of Thursday, July 25, 2019, we paid a visit to Butler, Wisconsin (just northwest of Milwaukee) to see the Big Boy #4014 in the Union Pacific Yards there. Even though there were no public events scheduled... we heard that you could safely view the steam engine behind a strip mall near U.S. 41/45 and Capitol Drive (WI Highway 190). We arrived around 7:00pm and found numerous people also enjoying the view of the Big Boy. We wish there were some sort of public event in the Milwaukee area, but the Union Pacific "steam team" decided there was no real safe public space in the Milwaukee area to host an open house or photo sessions.

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Midwest Rail Rangers Educational Officer Kandace Tabern poses with the Big Boy on July 25, 2019 in Butler, Wisconsin

We decided to get up early on Friday, July 26, 2019 and see the Big Boy #4014 once again... as it made its way from Butler, Wisconsin to West Chicago, Illinois. Using Google Maps, we determined that one of the best locations for viewing would be near the intersection of 57th Street and Mobil Street in West Allis, Wisconsin. After a slight delay leaving the Butler yards, the historic steam locomotive rolled through West Allis around 8:45am. The Union Pacific actually owns two lines between Milwaukee and Chicago. We were hoping that it would take "the old route" (Kenosha Subdivision) which runs closer to Lake Michigan and heads through Downtown Racine, Kenosha, Lake Bluff, and Evanston. Due to this line not being in as good shape as "the new line" (Milwaukee Subdivision), we learned that the Big Boy #4014 would have to slow down to just 10mph at a lot of bridges if it took the "old route"... so it was routed on to the "new line" which heads through more rural areas between the "old line" and the Canadian Pacific line used by Amtrak.

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The Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 makes it way through West Allis, Wisconsin on the morning of Friday, July 26, 2019

While we enjoyed our three quick brushes with the Big Boy #4014 in Wisconsin on Thursday and Friday, the "main event" we were really looking forward to was visiting West Chicago, Illinois on the morning of Saturday, July 27, 2019. The Union Pacific was kind enough to invite "Midwest Rail Rangers on Trainweb.com" to have special behind-the-scenes media access to cover the historic steam locomotive's appearance at the Larry S. Provo Training Center. In attendance to help cover the event was Midwest Rail Rangers President Robert Tabern, Midwest Rail Rangers Treasurer Dave Poole, and Midwest Rail Rangers Educational Officer Kandace Tabern.

The highlight of the morning was getting the chance to have a one-on-one interview with Ed Dickens, Union Pacific's Senior Manager of Heritage Operations. Ed not only is the locomotive engineer for the Big Boy #4014... he was also instrumental in leading the "Steam Team" restoration efforts of the locomotive.

To watch an eight minute long video clip of our interview with Ed, head to our Facebook page!
(http://www.facebook.com/railrangers)

Ed began our interview by explaining some of the basics about the Big Boy #4014. It
is a type of articulated steam locomotive manufactured by the American Locomotive Company between 1941 and 1944 and operated by the Union Pacific in revenue service until 1959. The 25 Big Boy locomotives were built to haul freight over the Wasatch Mountains between Ogden, Utah and Green River, Wyoming. After a few years in service there, they were re-assigned to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where they hauled freight over Sherman Hill to Laramie, Wyoming. One of the things that made them so special was that they were the only locomotives to use a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement: four-wheel leading truck for stability entering curves, two sets of eight wheels and a four-wheel trailing truck to support the large firebox.

According to Ed, when his Union Pacific “Steam Team” decided to bring a Big Boy back to life, they knew from the beginning the 4014 was the only real practical candidate and therefore pursued it alone. Ed never contacted any other museum or traveled anywhere to look at another Big Boy. The 4014 was the one Ed wanted from the beginning. 

Of the 25 Big Boys built, only eight are in existence. They include the following: #4004 at the U.S. 30 Holiday Park in Cheyenne, Wyoming; #4005 at the Forney Transportation Museum in Denver, Colorado; #4006 at the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, Missouri; #4012 at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania; #4014 at the Rail Giants Train Museum in Pomona, California; #4017 at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin; #4018 at the Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco, Texas; and #4023 at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska.

Of course, the engine that made “the cut” for restoration was the #4014 at the Rail Giants Train Museum in suburban Los Angeles… where it had been located for 52 years at that point.

Dickens said, “I wanted the 4014 over all the other Big Boys for this reason: It had less corrosion and it was less worn out. Some of the machines on other locomotives were a little bit better, but on balance the boiler was in the best condition. When you’re talking about a big   300-pound-pressure vessel, you want to have 100 percent of that boiler in the best condition you can make it.”  To their surprise, Rail Giants and Big Boy alumni had been lubricating the 4014’s running gear for decades in hopes it might one day run again.


Union Pacific acquired the 1.2 million-pound locomotive in 2013 and spent about two-and-a-half years bringing it back to life. After making its first post-restoration run in May -- a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad's completion -- the Big Boy went on its "Great Race Across the Midwest".

Things wrapped up on Thursday, August 8, 2019, when the Big Boy #4014 arrived back at the UP Steam Shops in Cheyenne, Wyoming.


  Our Photos of UP 4014 4-8-8-4
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After years of hard work, the Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 was ready for its Midwest Tour in July 2019

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The Union Pacific #4014 is one of the most beautiful steam engines in the world

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An up-close look at the Big Boy
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A photo of the Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 in West Chicago before any of the crowds arrive

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Midwest Rail Rangers Educational Officer Kandace Tabern with Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 in West Chicago, IL

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Midwest Rail Rangers President Robert Tabern & Educational Officer Kandace Tabern pose with the Big Boy #4014

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Midwest Rail Rangers Educational Officer Kandace Tabern holds us a "no trespassing sign"... it's an important reminder to stay back at least 25 feet from all tracks at all times. Putting your life in danger to take a photo or see a steam train up close simply is not worth it!

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Union Pacific's Ed Dickens adjusts the front coupler on the Union Pacific Big Boy #4014

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(Left to Right): Midwest Rail Rangers Treasurer Dave Poole, Midwest Rail Rangers President Robert Tabern, Union Pacific's Senior Manager of the Heritage Fleet - Ed Dickens, and Midwest Rail Rangers Educational Officer Kandace Tabern


While the Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 was no doubt the star of the show... we were equally as interested in learning about many of the private railcars that made up the special train set that the historic steam locomotive was hauling around the Midwest. With the exception of the Union Pacific Experience Display Car, all of the private cars were really "off limits" to the general public.

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With the exception of the Union Pacific Exhibit Car, all of the historic train equipment was "off limits" to the general public

In order to share information about the historic railcars that were part of the Big Boy #4014 train with our "Midwest Rail Rangers on TrainWeb.com" readers, the Union Pacific was also kind enough to grant us special "behind the scenes" access to many of the cars.

We got to walk through many of the passenger cars while we were given a quick history lesson on each car. 

Here is some of the information that was shared:



UPP 814 Joe Jordan Water Car & UPP 809 Jim Adams Water Car (with US Flag)

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Union Pacific Water Car "Joe Jordan"

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Union Pacific Water Car "Jim Adams"

The first water car on the train was #814 “Joe Jordan”; the second water car, carrying the American flag on both sides, is #809 “Jim Adams”.  Both of the cars were built in 1937 for steam locomotives in the 800 series. They were then converted to fuel tenders in 1958 for Union Pacific’s gas-turbine electric locomotives. After being retired in 1970, the tenders went to Los Angeles for use as stationary fuel tanks… becoming UP# 907857 and UP #907856 in 1972. They were assigned to the Union Pacific Heritage Fleet in 1989 and moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming to become an auxiliary water car for steam locomotives #844 and #3985. The car was re-numbered #814 and #809 in 2003 and named for respected members of the “Steam Team”.


UP  SD70ACe-T4 Diesel Locomotive #3025

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The Union Pacific also decided to include a modern SD70ACe-T4 diesel locomotive in the consist of the Big Boy 4014 Excursion Train to provide extra power, if needed. UP #3025 weighs 428,000 pounds and can reach a top speed of 75 miles-per-hour. The Union Pacific had 100 of these types of engines built by ElectroMotive, with the first being delivered in November 2016. Some of the units are in active service while others remain in storage.


Union Pacific #6334 "Art Lockman" Tool Car
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The “Art Lockman” was built in 1962 by the St. Louis Car Company as baggage car #6334. It was one of the last baggage cars purchased by Union Pacific. The car was converted to a tool car for snowplow service and renumbered #904304 in 1973. It was assigned to the Heritage Fleet in 1981. The car was named “Art Lockman” in 1992 and was re-numbered #6334 in 2003. The Art Lockman is essentially a rolling machine shop. It carries tools, parts, machines, lubricants and numerous other items to maintain and repair the steam locomotive while on trips. The car also has a crew lounge area, locker room and laundry area. Mr. Lockman retired as roundhouse foreman in Cheyenne, Wyoming, after working 43 years for Union Pacific. He is a well-known former employee who is still admired for his knowledge of steam locomotive maintenance and operation.


Union Pacific #209 "Howard Fogg" Power Car
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The “Howard Fogg” is Union Pacific’s last boiler car. It was built in 1949 by American Car & Foundry as baggage-dormitory #6006. The “Howard Fogg” was converted to boiler-baggage-dorm #304 in 1962. The car was converted to boiler-dorm-HEP (Head End Power) in 2000. It was renumbered again in 1987 to #209 and assigned to the Heritage Fleet in 1990. In 1996, it was renamed “Howard Fogg” after the passing of the renowned railroad artist. The “Howard Fogg” still has a steam generator onboard to provide steam if maintenance is required while the Big Boy locomotive is on the road. The car has been outfitted with an electric generator Steam Locomotive Support Cars to provide electricity to the passenger cars. It also has three sleeping rooms, a shower, a laundry room and a small lounge area for the crew’s use while on extended trips, such as the Midwestern Big Boy Tour.


Union Pacific #5714 "Lynn Nystrom" Baggage Car
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The baggage car used for the Big Boy 4014 Midwest Excursion was #5714, the “Lynn Nystrom”; it was built in 1957 by American Car & Foundry as postal storage car #5714. It was re-built as a baggage/recreation car for ski train service between Los Angeles, California; Sun Valley, Idaho; and Park City, Utah. The car was re-named the “Pony Express” in 1993 to commemorate a Union Pacific train of the same name that ran between Denver, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, Utah, from August 1926 to November 1954. It was named in honor of the nation’s first, fast overland mail service. Organized and operated by the widely known firm of cross-country freighters, Russell, Majors and Waddell of Nebraska City, Nebraska, the Pony Express route ran very near what was to become the Union Pacific Railroad from about Grand Island, Nebraska, to Ogden, Utah. In 2004, the car was re-named “Golden State Limited”, in recognition of the luxury train of the same name which operated between Chicago and California. The jointly operated Rock Island-Southern Pacific train was noted for its plush accommodations and amenities. The
“Golden State Limited” train began service on November 2, 1902. It was touted as having many innovations through the entire train, from the engine to observation platform on the rear car. Today, the “Golden State Limited” is used to transport supplies during excursions. The car was re-named “Lynn Nystrom” in May 2010 in honor of one of the Union Pacific Steam Team’s engineers who suddenly passed away that same month. Lynn began his railroad career with the Rock Island Railroad in 1968 as a special agent. He joined Union Pacific as a switchman/brakeman in June, 1977 and began part-time as a fireman on the Steam Crew in 1989. Lynn was promoted to conductor in January 1992 and assigned to the Steam Crew full-time as fireman in September that same year. He qualified as a diesel locomotive engineer in December 1998, and steam locomotive engineer in 2003. According to many we spoke with on the train in West Chicago, Lynn will always be known as a friend to the model railroad, railroad and rail enthusiasts communities.


Union Pacific #7015 "Challenger" Dome Coach
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(Photo Courtesy: Paul Rome)

One of the two dome cars seen in the consist of the Big Boy 4014 tour stop at West Chicago was the “Challenger” dome-coach. “The Challenger” was built by Pullman Standard in 1958 as dome coach #7015. This car is very historic, as this was the last dome car ever built. It was re-acquired by Union Pacific in 1989. The “Challenger” passenger trains, known as “Everybody’s Limited,” were introduced in the middle of the Depression in an attempt to draw ridership back to the rails. The equipment was spartan and the meal service was advertised as “three meals for under a dollar a day.” There was good food and plenty of it, but it wasn’t the first-class fare of the streamliners, where one meal might cost $1.25. The introduction of the “Challenger” also marked the advent of registered-nurse-stewardess service in August 1935. These single women were charged with first-aid service for the entire train, but their main function was to assist women with small children and children traveling alone. They were paid $125 per month plus expenses. The track also featured exclusive coaches for women and children at the head of the train, thus eliminating the need for men to even walk through the cars. Even though it was called the “Challenger”, during its first months of operation, the rail car ran as the second section to the “Los Angeles Limited”. In May 1936, the “Challenger” was given its own number and began to run individually. In 1937, the “San Francisco Challenger” was added. As dome cars were acquired, the “Challenger” became the “Challenger Domeliner” and ran until 1971.

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Union Pacific "Promontory" Exhibit Car
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One of the highlights for those attending the Big Boy 4014 Event in West Chicago was the chance to view exhibits in the “Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car”. This car was open to the public at some of the extended stops along the Midwest Tour Route, including Minneapolis-St. Paul and other locations. It provides a glimpse at the past while telling the story of modern-day railroading in a multi-media walk through exhibition. Through sound, images and interactive technology, visitors could see how Union Pacific is building America in their communities and throughout the world. Upon entering the converted baggage car, patrons first learn about the investment, hard work and know-how that went into building the transcontinental railroad. Historical photos and info graphics bring our nation’s history to life in a fun, engaging way. Moving forward along one wall, rail fans learn about the evolution of the locomotive, beginning with the world famous Union Pacific #119 and leading to modern-day diesel powerhouses. The opposite wall illustrates how trains deliver fresh apples from California and Washington to New York, outlining every aspect of rail operations and innovation along the way. Interactive technology shows how Union Pacific uses lasers, cameras and other detection devices to accurately inspect moving rail cars and track. Visitors can test their skills to see how they measure up as rail car inspectors. Before leaving, exhibition-goers can show Union Pacific how they connect to the railroad using high-tech, thermal reactive tiles. A final display celebrates the history of Union Pacific’s Passenger Heritage Fleet through vintage photos. Built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1962, #5752 was originally used to transport mail by the U.S. Postal Service. In the 1970’s, Union Pacific’s Maintenance of Way team transitioned the unit into a tool car and renumbered it #904277. It was retired from service in the 1990’s and stored at Union Pacific’s Coach Shop in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It became Promontory Exhibition Car #5752 in October 2018.

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Union Pacific #1602 "Green River" Sleeping Car
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What is now “Green River” Sleeping Car #1602 was actually built by the American Car and Foundry Company in December 1949 as a sleeper called “Western Hills”; it contained 12 roomettes and four double bedrooms. In 1965, the Union Pacific decided to have the car remodeled by Pullman-Standard to feature 11 bedrooms. When this work was finished, it was re-named “Sun Isle” and assigned #1602. After regular passenger service moved to Amtrak in 1971, this car remained with the Union Pacific for use in special service in its business fleet.  In 1983, the car was partially stripped for use as an office car. That conversion was never completed and the car was stored without its trucks until being sold off to Katsen Rail Services in 1988, which intended to use the car for service as part of Classic Rail Tours.  For whatever reasons, the car could not be moved… so it was traded back to the Union Pacific in August 1990 for another car. The following year, it was converted to Deluxe Sleeper #1602 “Green River”; it currently features eight bedrooms. The name “Green River” comes from the city of Green River, Wyoming, the site of a large freight yard and extensive car and locomotive repair facilities. Green River was the division point where trains to and from subsidiary Oregon Short Line connected with the Union Pacific’s mainline across Wyoming.

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(Last Photo is Courtesy: Union Pacific Railroad)


Union Pacific Power Car #2066
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(Photo Courtesy: Paul Rome)

Many of those attending the Big Boy 4014 events had a lot of questions about Power Car #2066, which looked like something many had never seen before. It was originally built as postal storage car #5816. Steam locomotives had supplied passenger cars with the steam needed for heat and hot water, but after diesel locomotives were phased in, steam generators were required. They were placed in baggage cars at the front of trains. Locomotive auxiliary generators provided 32-volts of electrical power for the passenger cars that could be “stored” for short periods of time in batteries underneath each car. As Union Pacific’s passenger equipment was modernized and the need for electric power grew, steam generator cars were rebuilt into diesel-electric generator cars that provide electricity to the entire train. Each passenger car is connected to the power car using a series of “jumper cables” between each car. Some of Union Pacific’s passenger cars are equipped with their own electric generators, allowing them to operate without a power car. Power cars also have living quarters for an electrician who monitors the system, and additional refrigerators and freezers for commissary services.


Union Pacific "Walter Dean" Dome Car
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One of our favorite cars on the Big Boy 4014 Tour Train was no doubt the “Walter Dean” dome/lounge, especially because of the luxurious seats up in the dome car. The “Walter Dean” was built in 1955 by American Car & Foundry as Union Pacific Dome/Lounge #9005. It was sold to Auto Train, then re-acquired by Union Pacific and named the “Walter Dean” in 1990. The car is named for Walter Dean, who began his service with Union Pacific in 1942 as a dining car waiter on the “Challenger”. At that time, the dining car crew slept in the dining cars and kept mattresses in a hole under the floor. When Mr. Dean moved into the lounge car on the “City of Los Angeles” as attendant, he was responsible for stocking and maintaining the bar and providing service to the passengers. His clientele included such stars as Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra, who frequently traveled on the train. He also served President Harry Truman during his “Whistle Stop Campaign” of 1948. When passenger service ended in 1971, Mr. Dean remained with Union Pacific, serving special guests and staff on business car trips that operate for railroad, corporate and community relations events. He passed away on October 18, 1999.

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Union Pacific "City of Denver" diner/lounge
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We also got a tour of the “City of Denver” diner/lounge car… where we were told most of those working on the Big Boy 4014 tour got to eat their formal meals together. The “City of Denver” was built in 1959 by the St. Louis Car Company as lunch counter cafe and lounge #5011. The City of Denver operated until Union Pacific ended its passenger service in 1971, when Amtrak took over most of the nation’s passenger train business. The car was sold to Golden Wool Company in 1972. Union Pacific re-acquired the car in 1989, when it was rebuilt into a 36-seat dining car and named the “City of Denver”. Settlement began in the area around Denver in 1858 when a prospecting party from Lawrence, Kansas built cabins along the South Platte River. The Denver City Town Company was organized on Nov. 17, 1858, by General William Larimer and named for General James W. Denver, territorial governor of Kansas. In 1880, Union Pacific gained access to the Denver market with the acquisition of the Denver Pacific Railroad. This railroad, built from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Denver and then east, in 1871 joined the Kansas Pacific Railroad coming west from Kansas City, Missouri. The streamliner passenger train “City of Denver” made its inaugural trip between Chicago and Denver on June 18, 1936. This 12-car train covered the 1,048 miles in just 16 hours, making it the fastest regularly scheduled long-distance passenger train in the world, a record that still stands. The lounge car on the train features an Old West theme with pictures of cowboys and outlaws, wanted posters and other memorabilia of the frontier.

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(Last Photo is Courtesy Union Pacific Railroad)


Union Pacific Business Car "Kenefick"
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Bringing up the rear of the train was “Kenefick”, a business car that featured an open platform on the back… affixed to it was a special drum head for the Big Boy 4014 Tour. This car was built by Pullman in 1950 as Coach Car #5446. It was re-built in April 1963 to be Business Car #99. It was re-numbered to be Business Car #100 in May 1965 and Business Car #119 in April 1986. The name “Kenefick” was added to the car in 1988 in commemoration of John C. Kenefick, president of the Union Pacific from 1971 to 1983.  Kenefick was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1921. After graduating from Princeton and completing a stint in the Navy, he moved to Omaha, where he began working for Union Pacific. By 1952, Kenefick was a train master at Salina, Kansas. He left the Union Pacific that year for a job with Denver & Rio Grande, staying until 1954. From there he worked for the New York Central becoming vice president of operations in 1966. In 1968 he moved to the Penn Central and then to Union Pacific, returning as vice president of operations. Kenefick replaced cronyism with promotion by merit. In 1971, he became the railroad’s president, a position he held until 1983, when he became chairman of the new Union Pacific system, created by the mergers with Missouri Pacific and Western Pacific. By then he had long held a reputation as possibly the foremost railroad operating man in the nation. His retirement from active service with the railroad in 1986 marked the end of an era in the company’s history.

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(Last photo is courtesy Union Pacific Railroad)

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By 9:30am on Saturday, July 27, 2019 the crowd grew quite large at West Chicago. Over three days, 45,000 visited the Big Boy #4014.


We ended up saying "goodbye" to the Big Boy #4014 in Illinois by watching it passing through Rochelle, Illinois on the Trains Magazine camera on Tuesday, July 30, 2019.

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The Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 passes through Rochelle on Tuesday, July 30, 2019
(Courtesy: Trains Magazine Camera)

Even though the Midwest tour ended on August 8, 2019... we heard that there are plans in the works to bring the Big Boy #4014 to Southern California later this year. We look forward to hearing the schedule released soon... maybe we will head out and ride!


We hope you enjoyed this article/trip report from Midwest Rail Rangers on TrainWeb.com. If you did, we hope you are also interested in learning more about the Midwest Rail Rangers. We are an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides on-board educational programs on private rail excursions, Amtrak coach charters, regular runs of the South Shore Line on select weekends, and we make appearance at various outreach events such as TrainFest and MadCity Rail in Wisconsin. Our group of experienced Interpretive Guides have also written a series of railroad route guidebooks, e-books, and MP3 podcasts for the various passenger train lines across the Upper Midwest and across the United States. Check out our website at www.railrangers.org for more information and our listing of upcoming excursions and trips!


OFFICIAL LINKS FOR THIS TRIP REPORT

Union Pacific Heritage Fleet Homepage


MIDWEST RAIL RANGERS AFFILIATED WEBSITES & OTHER LINKS

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