Would someone with a bit more knowledge be willing to share with me, and the rest of us, what the original Big Boy routes were for cab numbers 4004, 4005, 4006, 4012, 4014, 4017, 4018?
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The 4000's initially operated on the grades over the Wasatch. Green River to Ogden Ut, then extending eastward to Rawlins Wy, Laramie Wy and Cheyenne Wy. Later on they were heading south to Denver,Co as well. I also believe they went as far east as North Platt at one point in time.
Somewhat surprisingly, at least some of the trips down to Denver from Cheyenne were on iron ore trains! There are pockets of iron ore in WY for which the Colorado & Southern and Union Pacific both provided transportation.
The D&RGW also hauled iron ore over Tennessee Pass (frightening thought - toughest mainline grade in USA, along with Saluda), again for CF&I/Pueblo. Their ore came from UT. About 1992, The Grande had a big derailment of an ore train and the ore was just buried at the site.
I think the OP asking about the route taken to the display locations upon retirement?
Holidaytrain can you elaborate on the question?
Yes, I apologize for the confusion. What I was asking was what route/routes the operating Big Boys typically operated on. From the start of the line to the end of the line. I know where they're being displayed now, but the only info I've found on their original freight routes was that they went through the Wasatch Range.
Originally Posted by HolidayTrain:
Yes, I apologize for the confusion. What I was asking was what route/routes the operating Big Boys typically operated on. From the start of the line to the end of the line. I know where they're being displayed now, but the only info I've found on their original freight routes was that they went through the Wasatch Range.
That's pretty much it. They weren't used system wide. Chris's post covers their range. Legend says they were originally going to be called the Wasatch type.
One of the Big Boy videos states they cleared to run to L.A., but never did.
Rusty
I was told by someone who said he was there, that 4014 pulled a freight train into So. Cal on its last trip. This was before my time but I have no reason to doubt the guy who told me that. He said there was much fan fair and a lot of people, him self included obviously, turned out to watch the engine come by.
Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
One of the Big Boy videos states they cleared to run to L.A., but never did.
Rusty
That is incorrect. The 4014's final run was from Laramie to Cheyenne on July 21, 1959, with the 4015 making the last run of a 4000 coming in a few hours later. It was donated to the R&LHS on December 7, 1961 and arrived in Pomona on January 8, 1962. Now the 4014 was towed to California, there is a good photo of the 4014 at Summit on Cajon enroute dead in tow in the middle of a freight, perhaps that's what your friend saw?
