Ribbon Cutting For Big Boy Steam Engine

Ribbon Cutting For Big Boy Steam Engine To Take Place July 9.

After six months of construction for restoration, the Big Boy No. 4004 steam engine will be reintroduced during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Holliday Park on Monday, July 9 at 12pm.

The locomotive has been restored to resemble how it looked when it was delivered to the Union Pacific in August of 1941. Cosmetic repairs feature a new boiler jacket, cab repairs, and a new coat of jet black industrial paint. The old asbestos jacket, as well as the original equipment parts that maintained oil and fuel for the vehicle, were removed to address future safety concerns.

On November 27, 2017, the Cheyenne City Council approved full funding for the restoration of Big Boy No. 4004. The contractor selected to perform the restoration was Wasatch Railroad Contractors, a locally owned and locally based railroad restoration company. The restoration project began in December 2017.

About Big Boy No. 4004

Big Boy No. 4004 is one of Cheyenne’s most famous landmarks. With an estimated visitor count of 25,000 a year directly coming from the Cheyenne Depot Museum alone. The Big Boy in Holliday Park is a prime destination for many tourists and railroad enthusiasts from all around the world. With only eight remaining Big Boys in existence, people travel from all over the world to visit all eight with Cheyenne being the home to two of them. With restoration of No. 4014 also taking place at the Union Pacific Cheyenne Steam Shop, Cheyenne will continue to be a mecca for steam engine enthusiasts for years to come.

Photo Credit: Visit Cheyenne