BNSF
“Our new Salt Lake City intermodal service is up and running!” BNSF reported via social media on July 24. “The service enables our customers to move intermodal freight efficiently from California to SLC.”
The railroad included a photograph (see top) of the first double-stacked train on the new route, passing through Stockton, Calif., on July 23.
“We look forward to serving our customers with this new expanded capacity,” BNSF said.
The railroad earlier this month launched expedited third-day rail service from its Hobart intermodal facility in Los Angeles to its Pearland intermodal facility in the greater Houston area.
Last fall, it launched express carload service from Spokane, Wash., to Denver, Colo., and Salt Lake City, Utah, as a complement to its existing service from the Pacific Northwest to Texas, which debuted in 2017.
Meanwhile, also via social media, BNSF reported breaking more records at the Southern California ports. For the week of July 13, it had the most lifts ever performed in one week.
“Thanks to our customers for tendering record volumes through SoCal and our partners at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for your continued partnership and collaboration,” it wrote. “This is a testament to many decades of investments building out capacity so we can say YES to our customers when they need us most.”
Earlier this month, BNSF reported that June was a record month for dwell at the Southern California ports. “Thanks to continued investments across our network, prepositioning of trains, and close collaboration and integration with the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, dwell was the lowest it’s been since December 2021,” the Class I wrote. “This record is also thanks to the launch of the new Alameda Belt Line, created to optimize freight mobility through the 20-mile freight rail expressway known as the Alameda Corridor.”
UP
UP’s Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, has been on nine tours, attracting more than 2 million people, since returning to the rails in 2019 after more than two years of restoration work.
It is one of 25 Big Boys that ALCO manufactured for UP, 20 in 1941 and five in 1944, to haul heavy freight during World War II. They saw service until their fires were dropped for the last time in 1961. Eight survived; No. 4014 is the only functioning Big Boy.
Earlier this month, the No. 4014 and UP’s Lincoln Locomotive No. 1616 rode the rails together as part of a limited excursion tour in Colorado and Wyoming. Now, UP is gearing up for a special Big Boy tour in 2026—celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Tour details are still being hammered out, according to the railroad.
On July 24, UP released a Q&A with Ed Dickens, Manager of its Heritage Operations, to discuss what it takes to prepare for a tour. Railway Age shares the interview here, in its entirety.
UP: What does it take to maintain Big Boy?
Dickens: It’s a year-round job that takes the same skills, processes and techniques used during the Steam Era, such as greasing with old-style, air-operated grease guns, inspecting the smokebox and loading up on water. Of course, today we get our water from fire hydrants and not the old familiar looking water towers that once dotted the rails.
It’s a dirty job, but we love it. We have modernized many steps along the way, such as modern computerized drawing, manufacturing processes and upgrading how we service the locomotive. For example, we have made modifications for adding oil lube through a special outside oil fill similar to adding oil to a diesel locomotive. This saves another trip under the locomotive when we can do that work outside in a standing position. We have also designed a fueling system that eliminates the need to stand atop the huge Big Boy tender. We can now easily take on fuel while standing safely on the ground.
UP: What does it entail for Big Boy to go on tour? How do you prepare for these tours?
Dickens: It takes a lot of planning and preparation before Big Boy leaves its homebase in Cheyenne and hits the rails. Many Union Pacific teams are involved, planning for the whistle-stops and making sure the locomotive fits into our freight operations.
As for our Steam Team, we have to make sure all the supplies we need for the trip, such as grease, oil and cleaning supplies, are loaded onto the cars before we ever get on board.
It’s a great masterpiece of teamwork and cooperation to make it all happen. We are so very proud of our Union Pacific family all working together to make it happen.
UP: How far does Big Boy travel on fuel and water?
Dickens: Big Boy can travel around 200-plus miles on a standard load of fuel and water. Of course, the addition of a diesel behind the Big Boy can help extend this range considerably when necessary.
UP: What’s your fondest memory of being on tour?
Dickens: All Union Pacific employees engaged in Big Boy’s tours enjoy seeing the thousands of happy, smiling and cheering people along the route; No. 4014 makes friends everywhere it travels.
UP: When will the public learn more about the 2026 tour?
Dickens: I can’t give you a definitive date or route, but stay tuned to UP.com and our steam page. Also, remember to stay back at least 25 feet when coming to see Big Boy passing through your towns and communities.
Further Reading:
Railway Age reported on the 1941 debut with an extensive technical article (download below).
- UP Celebrates 163rd Birthday in Springfield
- UP 1616 to Honor President Lincoln
- Once in a Lifetime: UP Honors Four Employees With Big Boy Ride-Along
- Big Boy Upgraded With Self-Contained PTC
- Big Boy Fits in ‘Jay Leno’s Garage’!
- Note to Lego: Issue This Kit!
- How UP Added PTC to the ‘Big Boy’
- Railway Age, October 4, 1941: UP’s “Big Boy” debuts
- Big Boy 4014 is back: UP restores, runs iconic train
- UP: A return to steam for Big Boy 4014
- UP Trimming Heritage Fleet
- UP CEO Honors Lincoln’s Vision
