Chasing Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 Steam Train Unassisted Up Wasatch Grade (April 20, 2026)

READ FIRST: Hey fans! Join us today as we chase the 4014 over home rails between Ogden and Evanston on the grade for which the Big Boys were explicitly designed to beat. In a rare treat, the steam crew decided to ditch the diesel locomotives, meaning 4014 would tackle the western half of the Evanston Subdivision unassisted; a fitting homage for the big engine and the territory. Trailing the engine were the normal pair of auxiliary water canteens, the three support cars plus one extra coach, and 8 empty grain hoppers for additional weight and braking capacity. This consist weighed in at approximately 920 tons or so, a train-weight which this class of locomotive would be able to accelerate up to 50 mph on the ruling 1.14% grade, well above the actual ~35 mph targeted running speed. The 1616 & 1776 were charged with the remaining passenger consist and would run direct back to Omaha. We pick up the train in Uintah on the first stretch of sustained 1.14% which lasts through Weber Canyon until Gateway. After comparatively level running between Gateway and Morgan, we jump ahead to Echo, where we join up again to pace the engine up through Echo Canyon (1.14% sustained to Baskin) to Emory before again shooting up ahead to Castle Rock and Wasatch before finally ending the day in Evanston. There, they picked up another diesel, no. 7771, which was to accompany the 4014 the rest of the way back to Cheyenne for dynamic braking and fuel conservation. However, a bad traction motor resulted in the 7771 being left behind when they departed the next morning. The Big Boy ran the rest of the Evanston Subdivision to Green River unassisted, at which point yet another diesel was added onto the train during the servicing stop there. All in all, this chase turned out to be a fantastic outing where the Big Boy was really allowed to shine on territory where it once plodded along at drag freight speeds of 10-20 mph with 3000 to 4400 ton trains. The deafening roar of the stack as the engine powered up the ruling grade was definitely an experience that will be remembered. Enjoy =) FAQ (Read before commenting): The water overflow from just in front of the rear cylinder on the fireman's side is the exhaust steam injector overflow port. Discharge from this port is normal when starting and stopping the injector, and when the injector switches between live steam and exhaust steam. The diesel locomotive, while no longer necessary for PTC compliance, will continue to periodically be used where it is expedient for steam locomotive fuel conservation and assistance on long, sustained grades for power & dynamic braking. Table of Contents: 0:00 - Uintah (1.14%) 1:47 - Enterprise (0.7%) 2:42 - Pacing into Morgan (0.7%) 4:14 - Highball Morgan (0.77%) 6:26 - Pacing, Echo to Emory (1.14%) 30:06 - Castle Rock (1.14%) 33:12 - Wasatch (1.14%) 33:10 - Evanston Yard Moves