Union Pacific 4023
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| Union Pacific 4023 | |
|---|---|
South Omaha, Nebraska | |
| Disposition | On static display at Kenefick Park in Omaha, Nebraska |
Union Pacific 4023 is a 4-8-8-4
History
In the early 1940s, the Union Pacific Railroad designed the only simple articulated steam locomotive with a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, which would be the largest steam locomotive in the world. The first of these Big Boys were built in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York. No. 4023 is one of the last five built in 1944, forming part of the second generation of the Big Boys which had more power tractive effort than the first generation and produced 6,250 horsepower rather than the first generation's 7,000 hp.
No. 4023 was assigned for fast and heavy freight trains through the Wasatch Mountains and over Sherman Hill. It was given a class 3 overhaul in 1957.
After its last run took place in 1959, No. 4023 was stored in Union Pacific's scrapline with the other Big Boy locomotives. In 1963, No. 4023 was repainted to be put on display for that year's National Railway Historical Society Convention in Cheyenne, Wyoming alongside 4-6-6-4 "Challenger" No. 3985 and 4-8-4 "Northern" No. 844. After the convention, No. 4023 was stored along with No. 3985 in the Cheyenne roundhouse.[2]
In 1974, No. 4023 was cosmetically restored and towed to Omaha, Nebraska, for static display in front of the Union Pacific's locomotive shops.
When the locomotive shops were closed in 1988, No. 4023 was moved to the original Kenefick Park on Abbott Drive, near the former Union Pacific shop site. After the park's land was taken for an arena and convention center, No. 4023 was temporarily housed outside of the Durham Museum in Downtown Omaha.[3]
In spring 2005, No. 4023 was moved by truck on a highway[4] to the new location of Kenefick Park,[5] where it was put on static display alongside EMD DDA40X No. 6900.[6] During one of its cosmetic restorations, several functional appliances were replaced with new, fake appliances, including the safety valves, whistle, lubricators, and a new boiler jacket.
As of 2023, No. 4023 is still on display at Kenefick Park, and it remains the only Big Boy known to have been moved by highway.
References
- ^ Wrinn, Jim (February 15, 2018). "Where to find Big Boy locomotives". TrainsMag.com. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "UP No. 3985 - The Challenger".
- ^ "Union Pacific Announces Location of New Kenefick Park". www.uprr.com/. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
- ^ "Big Boy 4023 Omaha". www.uphs.org. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
- ^ "Lauritzen Gardens - Omaha Botanical Center". www.lauritzengardens.org. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "Union Pacific Big Boy 4023 & Centennial 6900". www.asme.org. Retrieved 2020-04-27.