Big Boy No. 4012 Returns to Static Exhibition

Duration:

13.413 seconds

On Wednesday, May 5, 2021 employees and volunteers at Steamtown National Historic Site returned the Union Pacific "Big Boy" No. 4012 to static exhibition following an extended cosmetic restoration. This timelapse video shows the final moments as the engine chugs along to its new home.

 

Background

Steamtown's Union Pacific Railroad “Big Boy” No. 4012 has returned to static exhibition in the park following an extended cosmetic restoration. The locomotive was removed from display in 2019 in order to replace rusted parts, remediate hazardous materials from its original construction, and receive a new paint job.

No. 4012 is among a unique class of 25 articulated steam locomotives with a 4-8-8-4 wheel set built solely for the Union Pacific Railroad by the American Locomotive Works (ALCO). An engineering marvel that is perhaps the high point to steam locomotion technology, the “Big Boys” nonetheless became obsolete as more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective diesel-electric locomotive technology was refined during the 1950s. The last Union Pacific “Big Boy” revenue run occurred in 1959. Only eight “Big Boys” survived the scrapper’s torch, with Steamtown NHS’s No. 4012 the only one to be found on exhibit in the U.S.’s eastern time zone.

Learn more about the history of Steamtown's "Big Boy" and the restoration process.

 

Before and Newly Restored

Left image
"Big Boy" No. 4012 before cosmetic restoration, October 2019
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
"Big Boy" No. 4012 after cosmetic restoration, May 2021
Credit: NPS Photo

 

 

Duration:

2 minutes, 30 seconds

On Wednesday, May 5, 2021 employees and volunteers at Steamtown National Historic Site returned the Union Pacific "Big Boy" No. 4012 to static exhibition following an extended cosmetic restoration. As part of the move, the engine was brought out onto the turntable and rotated into the correct position.