Cheyenne's Big Boy 4004

Twenty-five Big Boys, the world's largest steam engines, were built exclusively for Union Pacific by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York, between 1941 and 1944. Each locomotive was 132 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds. Because of their great length, the frames of the Big Boys were hinged, or articulated, to allow them to negotiate curves. During construction of the first engine, a worker chalked "Big Boy" on the smoke box door, and the nickname was adopted. The massive engines normally operated on the rugged run between Cheyenne and Ogden, Utah. On October 31, 1958, Cheyenne's 4004 made its final run, traveling from Cheyenne to Laramie. It was stored for a few years in Laramie before being donated to the City of Cheyenne. The 4004 was moved to Holliday Park on June 28, 1963, on 600 feet of temporary track connecting the park with Union Pacific's track. Cheyenne's 4004 is one of eight remaining Big Boys on display throughout the country.

Cheyenne, Wyoming · United States