Texas Big Boy to move Sunday

Published: August 16, 2013

No. 4018 in Dallas

Photo by Ken Fitzgerald

DALLAS – Officials from the Museum of the American Railroad say Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4018 will move to its new home in Frisco on Aug. 18. The museum made the announcement on it's website.

The Museum of the American Railroad has been moving its collection from Dallas to its new home in Frisco throughout the summer. The move has included a Frisco 4-8-4 and a variety of other locomotives and cars. But it's biggest piece, No. 4018, has proven to be a more challenging proposition. The move was originally scheduled for June, then July, and now Sunday. The move is being coordinated with BNSF Railway; Dallas, Garland & Northeastern Railroad; Union Pacific Railroad; and Trinity Railway Express. Frisco is located about 25 miles north of Dallas.

Access to the museum site will be available about one hour before the engine arrives. For more information about the locomotive and the move, visit www.museumoftheamericanrailroad.org.

No. 4018 isn't the only Big Boy preparing for a big move. UP steam crews have been in Pomona, Calif., this week preparing No. 4014 for its big move east to Cheyenne, Wyo. There, the locomotive will be restored to operation and join UP's steam fleet. Discussions are taking place between the freight carrier and Metrolink to move the engine from its current display site, almost 5,000 feet to a connection with the commuter railroad. A date has not yet been set for the move.

“I have been in discussion with the Los Angeles County Fair Director Dwight Richards as well as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office regarding the necessary coordination for movement,” Ed Dickens, senior manager of the UP steam program, says. “I have enjoyed the enthusiastic support of nearly everyone.”