Union Pacific "Big Boy" No. 4012 Restoration Timeline

Front of locomotive in paint shop

NPS Photo

3/4/2021 - Update

The Union Pacific No. 4012 "Big Boy" is still off exhibit. We are in the final stretch of restoration. The contractor is completing the finishing touches and details. We will be announcing the Big Boy's return soon. Keep checking back for more updates.

 

Rear of Big Boy tender

NPS Photo

The rear of the tender

 

Side of Big Boy tender

NPS Photo

Side of Big Boy tender

 

Union Pacific “Big Boy” 4012 inside the shop at Steamtown in Scranton, Pa.

Steve Barry

11/9/2020 - Update

Railfan and Railroad Magazine posted a current article with updates and photos recently of the UP Big Boy with how the restoration continues.

Cosmetic Restoration of UP Big Boy Nears Completion at Steamtown

 

2/14/2020 - Update

The locomotive portion of the Big Boy sits outside on a cold winter day awaiting its turn in the sandblasting room. All the items on the top of the 16’-3” tall locomotive have been removed. The door to the sandblasting room is only 16 feet tall. The white tarps are protecting the openings in the boiler jacket created by removing the sand and steamdomes.

 

NPS Photo

These are the twin smokestack extension that have been removed for restoration.

 

NPS photo

The graphite and oil coating on the firebox was removed by hand.

 

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These are the Big Boy’s pistons.

 

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These are the draw bars that connect the engine to the tender. The giants are seldom seen.

 

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You can appreciate the size of then tender when it is inside the shop.

 

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This is the rear railroad lamp hook on the tender.

 

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The side tool box on the tender receives a coat of primer.

 

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Another shot of the tender in the paint room.

 

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This is the lower water level gauge tag for ½ full on the cistern.

 

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Here’s the gauge tag for ¾ full. There is a clear vertical tube alongside these tags would indicate how much water was in the cistern tank.

 

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Various parts form the Big Boy waiting their turn to be sandblasted clean before priming.

 

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The sand domes being sandblasted.

 

Stall one of our locomotive shop is now an abatement tent, to seal the asbestos in the building while it is removed from the tender. This same space will be used for sand blasting the tender of paint and rust.

NPS Photo

1/30/2020 - Update

Union Pacific Railroad no. 4012 Preservation Update January 30, 2020

The contractors for removing asbestos of our Union Pacific Big Boy locomotive are moving right along in the work. Stall one of our locomotive shop is now an abatement tent, to seal the asbestos in the building while it is removed from the tender. This same space will be used for sand blasting the tender of paint and rust.

 

Along with the tender, separate parts of the locomotive will be sand blasted, too. These parts are the aprons of the ashpan, which were removed from the outer edges of the engine’s firebox.

NPS Photo

Along with the tender, separate parts of the locomotive will be sand blasted, too. These parts are the aprons of the ashpan, which were removed from the outer edges of the engine’s firebox. Along with these, the ash pan doors and the cylinder heads will be removed for sand blasting.

 

The cylinder heads on one of the steam chests for 4012.

NPS Photo

The cylinder heads on one of the steam chests for 4012.

 

All of the asbestos that had been on the tender is removed, and the tool boxes on the tender now have new hinges.

NPS Photo

As of today, all of the asbestos that had been on the tender is removed, and the tool boxes on the tender now have new hinges. Sandblasting on the tender will begin soon.

 

10/15/2019 - Update

As we gear up for the Big Boy Restoration Project we won't have any news for a little bit until it's underway. But please check back for progress and status and we will keep you informed as it comes together for this exciting project.

In the meantime you can stay informed with the following press releases:

Press Release October 2, 2019