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Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 comes through Arkadelphia

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When they were little, my nephews were obsessed with the Thomas & Friends series, which gives personalities to all types of steam engines. If you’re wondering whether I watched it without them, I confess I did. The Alec Baldwin and George Carlin narrator episodes were the best.

Based on my experience with trains growing up, and then my nephews interest in the Thomas & Friends series, I got really excited when I heard about a real-life steam engine coming through town. On November 13, 2019, Union Pacific’s Boy Boy No. 4014 steam engine came through Arkadelphia as part of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad. If you really want to treat yourself on learning about the challenges of the transcontinental railroad, watch Hell on Wheels, which is available on Netflix. This show does an excellent job depicting the political, physical, and safety challenges of extending the railroad from coast to coast. Here is a ton of good information on the transcontinental railroad.

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There are only seven Big Boy steam engines left around the country, and No. 4014 is the only one operational. This train was delivered to Union Pacific in December of 1941, and was in service until December of 1961. Seen below is No. 4014’s arrival and departure from Arkadelphia on its way to North Little Rock.

Crowds of people have lined the railroad tracks to see No. 4014, and Arkadelphia was no different. Our office manager and I met a couple from Huntsville, Alabama on the old Ouachita River Bridge in Arkadelphia who told us they were also willing to travel several hours to see the enormous steam engine.

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Getting to see a real-life steam engine up close felt like a bygone era to me when presidents campaigned from the back of a train as seen below.

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If you’re wanting to see No. 4014 in person, keep these safety tips in mind:

  • Stand at least 25 feet away from the railroad tracks;

  • Railroad tracks, trestles, railroad yards, and and right-of-ways are private property; do not trespass;

  • Never assume railroad tracks are inactive; always expect a train.

You can track where No. 4014 is headed next by clicking on this link.

I tried to enlist help to determine whether No. 4014 fit the mold for Edward, Gordon, Murdoch, or Neville. Can you help determine which Thomas & Friend train fits the mold?