Union Pacific 4023

Union Pacific 4023 is a class 4-8-8-4 Big Boy built by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York in November 1944. Although this is one of eight surviving Big Boys[1] being preserved across the United States, this is the only surviving Big Boy that was part of the second group of locomotives built in 1944. All of the other surviving Big Boys were from the first group built in 1941.

Union Pacific 4023
No. 4023 in its current display site in 2007
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderAmerican Locomotive Company
Serial number72780
Build dateNovember 1944
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-8-8-4
 • UIC(2′D)D2′ h4
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.36 in (914 mm)
Driver dia.68 in (1,727 mm)
Trailing dia.42 in (1,067 mm)
Wheelbase72 ft 5.5 in (22.09 m)
LengthLocomotive: 85 ft 3.4 in (25.99 m)
Overall: 132 ft 9 1⁄4 in (40.47 m)
Width11 ft (3.4 m)
Height16 ft 2 1⁄2 in (4.94 m)
Adhesive weight540,000 lb (245,000 kg)
Loco weight762,000 lb (345,600 kg)
Tender weight342,200 lb (155,220 kg) (2/3 load)
Total weight1,250,000 lb (567,000 kg)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity28 short tons (25.4 t; 25.0 long tons)
Water cap25,000 US gal (95,000 l; 21,000 imp gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		150 sq ft (14 m2)
Boiler95 in (2,400 mm)
Boiler pressure300 lbf/in2 (2.1 MPa)
Heating surface5,735 sq ft (533 m2)
 • Tubes and flues5,035 sq ft (468 m2)
 • Firebox720 sq ft (67 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • TypeType A
 • Heating area2,043 sq ft (190 m2)
Cylinders4
Cylinder size23.75 in × 32 in (603 mm × 813 mm)
Performance figures
Maximum speed80 mph (130 km/h)
Power output6,290 hp (4,690 kW)
Tractive effort135,375 lbf (602.18 kN)
Factor of adh.3.99
Career
OperatorsUnion Pacific Railroad
Class4884-2
Last run1959
Retired1962
DispositionOn static display at Kenefick Park in Omaha, Nebraska

History

In the early 1940’s, the Union Pacific Railroad designed the only simple articulated steam locomotive with a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, which would be known as the "Big Boy" and would be the largest steam locomotive in the world. These locomotives began being constructed in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York, and No. 4023 is one of the last five of these built in 1944. Just like all of its sister engines, No. 4023 was assigned for fast and heavy freight trains through the Wasatch Mountains and over Sherman Hill. Instead of being scrapped after it’s last run in 1959, No. 4023 was stored in the Union Pacific's roundhouse in Cheyenne, Wyoming[2] along with 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985.[3] What might’ve likely been the reason for 4023’s mint condition to be saved for preservation is that it was given a class 3 overhaul in 1957.[4] In 1974, No. 4023 was cosmetically restored and towed to Omaha, Nebraska for static display in front of the Union Pacific's locomotive shops. After the locomotive shops were closed in 1988, No. 4023 was moved again to the Durham Western History Museum in Downtown Omaha.

No. 4023 in Omaha in 1976.

In Spring of 2005, No. 4023 was moved by truck[5] on a highway[6][7] to a more permanent home in Kenefick Park[8] alongside an EMD DDA40X No. 6900.[9] During one of its cosmetic restorations, a lot functional appliances were replaced with new, mock appliances, including the safety valves, whistle, lubricators, and a new boiler jacket.

Today, No. 4023 is still on display at Kenefick, and with fellow Big Boy No. 4014[10][11] successfully restored to operation by the Union Pacific as part of their heritage fleet,[12] restoring No. 4023 is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

References
  1. February 15, Jim Wrinn |; 2018. "Where to find Big Boy locomotives | Trains Magazine". TrainsMag.com. Retrieved 2020-03-30.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. "RailPictures.Net Photo: UP 4023 Union Pacific Steam 4-6-6-4 at Cheyenne, Wyoming by Martin K OToole". www.railpictures.net. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  3. "UP No. 3985 - The Challenger - UP".
  4. "Big Boys". Trainorders.com Discussion. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  5. "Moving UP 4023 by truck". Trainorders.com Discussion. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  6. "Big Boy 4023 Omaha". www.uphs.org. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  7. "Big Boy UP 4023 move in Omaha". southern.railfan.net. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  8. "Lauritzen Gardens - Omaha Botanical Center". www.lauritzengardens.org. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  9. "Union Pacific Big Boy 4023 & Centennial 6900". www.asme.org. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  10. "RailGiants Train Museum | Union Pacific Big Boy #4014". railgiants.org. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  11. "Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014".
  12. "Heritage Fleet - UP".
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