Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 running WITHOUT diesel Assistance!?!! (On board PTC test run)

The best part is just how well hidden all the ptc equipment is, "Hey there's this tool box on the side of the tender, perhaps..."

Great video. I never would have dreamed a few years ago that we would someday see a Big Boy running under its own steam. That is one big piece of hardware.

So awesome they found a way to install the PTC system on 4014. Having that modern diesel running with her just to be compliant with the PTC requirements was a waste of resource for the diesel engine and took away from how powerful the Big Boy is on her own. Kudos to all involved for making this happen!

I could see this in black and white and thinking it's from the 50s!

Man.. listen to that GLORIOUS stack talk!!! Sing baby, SING!!!

The caboose is the most underrated, forgotten safety appliance in American railroading. Having crew on both head-end and rear-end of a long freight train should be required today.

2024 is an amazing year for steam trains!

I've never liked the diesel in the consist but I understood it. 4014 has been pampered and babied since being restored and incase of failure, the diesel was there for breaks and bale. I got it. But it's nice to see him finally under his own power. Now I can put away those doubts that this Big Boy ever needed a helper. Awesome footage. Complete with a caboose. It doesn't get better than this in 2024.

Awesome video, seeing the Big boy pull a train unassisted that day was like going back in time to the 50's

Ok UP, you now have no excuse to not let the 4014 pull a tonnage freight now

It is my understanding from YouTube videos that one of the main things that was being done on this run of Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 without the Diesel Locomotive was to test the new Positive Train Control System that Union Pacific installed on Big Boy 4014. It must have required a lot engineering and special parts to install Positive Train Control on Big Boy 4014. This is because Union Pacific Railroad had to install a 21st century electronic computer based system on an old steam locomotive. In years past I thought that such a thing would be impossible to do. One of the changes is that on top of the locomotive are 3 dynamos instead of the previous 2 dynamos to supply extra electrical power. Also on the side of the tender car there is a cabinet that contains all the computer style electronics to make this system work. I hope Union Pacific presents a report on how they installed a Positive Train Control on Big Boy 4014.

Diesels are certainly fun, but there's nothing like a million lbs of hard-working steel and steam at work! So entertaining. Thanks for the video.

07:56 okay that sounds AWESOME!!!

Bout time. Now stick 150 cars behind it, a caboose, and do a true revenue run!

Big, powerful, sturdy weight movers, all that was needed, and even now can still can put in a cracking performance!

I remember Ed Dickens explaining the purpose of having the diesel: it was to save the wheels on Big Boy while braking, it was easier to repair the wheels of the diesel. Hauling was an easy job for Big Boy, hauling the diesel as well as the short train following.

Excellent video! So majestic seeing this beauty running without the diesel pulling a load of EV fuel...

Love the sound of that heavy chugging. 4014 normally doesn’t work that hard.

The only scenic thing about south eastern Wyoming is Big Boy :) Nice shots, especially the pacing you did.

If you've never seen a big boy in person you won't belive it. It is a massive hunk of iron and steel and pipes and wheels and axles and chambers and fitting. Its amazing it can even move . I worked for CP years ago at Scranton and sometimes we had to switch cars onto the steam town lead. 4012 is in there. Amazing piece of work😊