Union Pacific SD70M No. 4014 leads Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 and SD70M No. 4884 at Laramie, Wyo., in May 2014 on the ferry move of the steam locomotive from California to Wyoming.
Trains: Jim Wrinn
OMAHA, Neb. – If you got photos of Union Pacific SD70M No. 4014 before it became famous as the pilot engine that ferried Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 in May 2014 from California to its place of restoration at the steam shop in Cheyenne, Wyo., consider yourself lucky. It won’t be No. 4014 much longer.
The now 18-year-old unit is set for repainting as UP spruces up its roster. It was part of the 1,000-unit order for new power that UP placed in 2000 for SD70Ms Nos. 4000-4999. UP repaints its power at the former Missouri Pacific diesel shop in North Little Rock, Ark.
No. 4014 may take the place of another unit in the order, No. 4479, which has been or is about to be retired, Trains News Wire has learned.
Renumbering the diesel unit clears the railroad to have only one No. 4014, the steam locomotive, which is under restoration and set for debut in May 2019 in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad.
