This is one of the last images from my DJI Air 2 drone before it ended up in the top of a 30' oak tree the next day at Dexter, MO after a Fly Away. In this shot Engineer Ed Dickens waves from the cab as Union Pacific's 4014, the Big Boy, passes under the signal bridge in downtown McRae, Arkansas on Friday, on August 27th, 2021, as they head north on the UP Hoxie subdivision on its way to Popular Bluff, AR. The Big Boy is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive which was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York in 1941. There were a total 25 of these giants built and of the eight remaining locomotives this is the only operational one. According to Wikipedia: "The locomotive operated in revenue service until 1959, when it was donated to the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society in late 1961 and thereafter displayed in Fairplex at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California. In 2013, UP re-acquired the locomotive and launched a restoration project at their Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In May 2019, No. 4014 was operated for the first time after sitting dormant for almost six decades. It ran its first excursion, double-headed with Union Pacific 844, three days later on May 4, 2019. Now part of the Union Pacific's heritage fleet, it now operates in excursion service, in addition to hauling revenue freight during ferry moves." The Big Boy is currently on a month-long tour around the Midwest through, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming before heading home to Cheyenne, Wyoming on September 7th. For the route and schedule visit: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm to see if it's stopping near you! Tech Info: Wide Photo: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100, August 27, 2021.

UP 4014 North at McRae, AR

This is one of the last images from my DJI Air 2 drone before it ended up in the top of a 30’ oak tree the next day at Dexter, MO after a Fly Away.

In this shot Engineer Ed Dickens waves from the cab as Union Pacific’s 4014, the Big Boy, passes under the signal bridge in downtown McRae, Arkansas on Friday, on August 27th, 2021, as they head north on the UP Hoxie subdivision on its way to Popular Bluff, MO.

The Big Boy is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive which was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York in 1941. There were a total 25 of these giants built and of the eight remaining locomotives this is the only operational one.

According to Wikipedia: “The locomotive operated in revenue service until 1959, when it was donated to the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society in late 1961 and thereafter displayed in Fairplex at the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California.

In 2013, UP re-acquired the locomotive and launched a restoration project at their Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In May 2019, No. 4014 was operated for the first time after sitting dormant for almost six decades.

It ran its first excursion, double-headed with Union Pacific 844, three days later on May 4, 2019. Now part of the Union Pacific’s heritage fleet, it now operates in excursion service, in addition to hauling revenue freight during ferry moves.”

The Big Boy is currently on a month-long tour around the Midwest through, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming before heading home to Cheyenne, Wyoming on September 7th. For the route and schedule visit: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm to see if it’s stopping near you!

Tech Info: Wide Photo: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/800, ISO 100, August 27, 2021.

Infrared of the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 at Aldridge, Illinois It was a bit of a wait in a hot and humid sun, but it was well worth the wait for my first Infrared photograph of the Union Pacific Big Boy, which is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive that was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company. There were a total 25 of these giants built and of the eight remaining locomotives this is the only operational one. Here it makes its way north across the Big Muddy River in Aldridge, Illinois on August 28, 2021, as it heads to its next scheduled stop at Chester, Illinois. The Big Boy is on a month-long tour around the Midwest through, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming before heading home to Cheyenne, Wyoming. For the route and schedule visit: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm to see if it's stopping near you! Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, sensor converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 70-300 @200mm, f/8, 1/500, ISO 200, August 28, 2021, 2021.

Infrared of the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 at Aldridge, Illinois

It was a bit of a wait in a hot and humid sun, but it was well worth the wait for my first Infrared photograph of the Union Pacific Big Boy, which is an articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive that was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company. There were a total 25 of these giants built and of the eight remaining locomotives this is the only operational one. Here it makes its way north across the Big Muddy River in Aldridge, Illinois on August 28, 2021, as it heads to its next scheduled stop at Chester, Illinois.

The Big Boy is on a month-long tour around the Midwest through, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming before heading home to Cheyenne, Wyoming. For the route and schedule visit: https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm to see if it’s stopping near you!

Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, sensor converted to 720nm B&W IR, Nikon 70-300 @200mm, f/8, 1/500, ISO 200, August 28, 2021, 2021.

UP 4014 Live from Popular Bluff, AR

From a Live Broadcast of Union Pacific’s 4014, Big Boy, as it backs into its display area at Popular Bluff, Arkansas on UP’s Hoxie Subdivision, on August 27th, 2021.

Northbound Union Pacific Freight at Mount Vernon, Illinois Fellow railfan Cooper Smith and I spent July 23, 2021, trackside chasing trains in Western Kentucky and southern Illinois. As part of the trip we sat at Mt. Vernon, Illinois for about 4 hours waiting on trains to come over the diamonds here and finally we caught a NS over the diamond heading north and for this shot of Union Pacific MSMPB I decided to move to a crossing north of the MOW office as the sun was dropping to the horizon and I thought the light would help make the shot! Both trains showed up within 15 minutes of each other, so it was worth the wait! The main reason we waited so long was that it meant that we were able to capture 5 different railroads in operation on our trip! We caught Paducah and Louisville Railway, BNSF, CN, NS and Union Pacific, with an Eastern Main Unit dead in tow! While we had to wait a boring 4 hours for the last two roads, it still made for a great day trackside! Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300mm @ 170mm, f/5, 1/800, ISO 320.

Northbound Union Pacific Freight at Mount Vernon, Illinois

Fellow railfan Cooper Smith and I spent July 23, 2021, trackside chasing trains in Western Kentucky and southern Illinois. As part of the trip we sat at Mt. Vernon, Illinois for about 4 hours waiting on trains to come over the diamonds here and finally we caught a NS over the diamond heading north and for this shot of Union Pacific MSMPB I decided to move to a crossing north of the MOW office as the sun was dropping to the horizon and I thought the light would help make the shot! Both trains showed up within 15 minutes of each other, so it was worth the wait!

The main reason we waited so long was that it meant that we were able to capture 5 different railroads in operation on our trip! We caught Paducah and Louisville Railway, BNSF, CN, NS and Union Pacific, with an Eastern Main Unit dead in tow! While we had to wait a boring 4 hours for the last two roads, it still made for a great day trackside!

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300mm @ 170mm, f/5, 1/800, ISO 320.

CN Illinois Central Heritage Unit meets KCS at Dexter, MO Canadian National (CN) Illinois Central Heritage Unit 3008 passes a crew change on a SB crew change on a KCS unit, as it leads empty oil train; ONUCS-01 north on Union Pacific's Chester Subdivision, after making its own crew change at the Union Pacific Terminal at Dexter, Missouri on December 2nd, 2020. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

CN Illinois Central Heritage Unit meets KCS at Dexter, MO

CN Illinois Central Heritage Unit meets KCS at Dexter, MO

Canadian National (CN) Illinois Central Heritage Unit 3008 passes a crew change on a SB crew change on a KCS unit, as it leads empty oil train; ONUCS-01 north on Union Pacific’s Chester Subdivision, after making its own crew change at the Union Pacific Terminal at Dexter, Missouri on December 2nd, 2020.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1000, ISO 100.

CN IC Heritage Unit 3008 at Scott City, MO on the UP Chester Sub Canadian National Illinois Central "Death Star" heritage unit 3008, passes the searchlight and dwarf signals as it heads north on the Union Pacific Chester Subdivision with an empty tank train on December 2nd, 2020 at Scott City, Missouri. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 240mm, f/5.3, 1/1000, ISO 200.

CN IC Heritage Unit 3008 at Scott City, MO on the UP Chester Sub

Canadian National Illinois Central “Death Star” heritage unit 3008, passes the searchlight and dwarf signals as it heads north on the Union Pacific Chester Subdivision with an empty tank train on December 2nd, 2020 at Scott City, Missouri.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 240mm, f/5.3, 1/1000, ISO 200.

Northbound at McClure, Illinois on the UP Chester Sub Canadian National Illinois Central "Death Star" heritage unit 3008, rounds the curve under the signal bridge just past McClure, Illinois as it heads north on the Union Pacific Chester Subdivision with an empty tank train on December 2nd, 2020 Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, f/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 200.

Northbound at McClure, Illinois on the UP Chester Sub

Canadian National Illinois Central “Death Star” heritage unit 3008, rounds the curve under the signal bridge just past McClure, Illinois as it heads north on the Union Pacific Chester Subdivision with an empty tank train on December 2nd, 2020

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, f/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 200.

Canadian National IC Heritage Unit 3008 waits for a signal at Murphysboro, IL On December 2nd, 2020 Canadian National (CN) Illinois Central Heritage Unit 3008 sits at CP Huston with empty oil train; ONUCS-01, as it waits for a signal to proceed north on the UP Mount Vernon Subdivision, at Murphysboro, IL. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 500.

Canadian National IC Heritage Unit 3008 waits for a signal at Murphysboro, IL

On December 2nd, 2020 Canadian National (CN) Illinois Central Heritage Unit 3008 sits at CP Huston with empty oil train; ONUCS-01, as it waits for a signal to proceed north on the UP Mount Vernon Subdivision, at Murphysboro, IL.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 500.

CN Illinois Central Heritage Unit at Dexter, MO Today fellow railfan Cooper Smith and I along with a lot more were blessed because as of the night before this unit was supposed to pass through our area in the darkness of night! Fortunately we got word from fellow railfan Terry Redeker down the line that the train got recrewed earlier than planned and it would be to us in daylight! Our first stop on this chase on December 2nd, 2020 we caught Canadian National (CN) Illinois Central Heritage Unit 3008 as it lead empty oil train; ONUCS-01 north on the Union Pacific's Chester Subdivision, past the Martin Grain Company grain silos at Dexter, Missouri. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.

CN Illinois Central Heritage Unit at Dexter, MO

Today fellow railfan Cooper Smith and I along with a lot more were blessed because as of the night before this unit was supposed to pass through our area in the darkness of night! Fortunately we got word from fellow railfan Terry Redeker down the line that the train got recrewed earlier than planned and it would be to us in daylight!

Our first stop on this chase on December 2nd, 2020 we caught Canadian National (CN) Illinois Central Heritage Unit 3008 as it lead empty oil train; ONUCS-01 north on the Union Pacific’s Chester Subdivision, past the Martin Grain Company grain silos at Dexter, Missouri headed for Superior, WI.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.

Lunch Break! Union Pacific 6493 and 7188 pull away from their Paducah and Louisville Railway PRX2 loaded coal train just outside Princeton, Kentucky after the crew received permission to stop for lunch from PAL dispatch on October 17, 2020. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.

Union Pacific 6493 and 7188 at Princeton, Ky

Lunch Break!

Union Pacific 6493 and 7188 pull away from their Paducah and Louisville Railway PRX2 loaded coal train just outside Princeton, Kentucky after the crew received permission to stop for lunch from PAL dispatch on October 17, 2020.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Mini Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.

July 15, 2020 - Union Pacific 7074 leads UP IDLC as it approaches the Green Street overpass at Mount Vernon, Illinois as it makes its way north on the Mt. Vernon Subdivision. Fellow railfan, Cooper Smith and I spent the day railfanning in southern Illinois today and while we got a few nice shots and had a great time, the trains just didn't cooperate! We went from Kentucky to Bruceton, Illinois to catch UP and CN action through the diamond there, as well at Christopher and Du Quoin. However, after spending the whole day trackside we pretty much caught one train we each like at each location. Turns out after the one train on the busy UP line we caught at Mt. Vernon, that line was shut down the rest of the day till 9pm. We had no clue it was scheduled, but that's the way trains roll sometime! The other lines we railfanned were just having a very slow day, however we did catch at least something everywhere we stopped... eventually! The last stop of the day was at Anna, IL where we caught CN A431 being led by CN 2460 (a "Blue Devil" unit) as the very last light of a stormy evening stole the light from the day. I'll be posting a few others from the trip along with a couple videos for everyone's viewing pleasure! Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 370mm, f/6, 1/640, ISO 320.

UP intermodal IDLC NB at Mount Vernon, IL

July 15, 2020 – Union Pacific 7074 leads UP IDLC as it approaches the Green Street overpass at Mount Vernon, Illinois as it makes its way north on the Mt. Vernon Subdivision. Fellow railfan, Cooper Smith and I spent the day railfanning in southern Illinois today and while we got a few nice shots and had a great time, the trains just didn’t cooperate!

We went from Kentucky to Bruceton, Illinois to catch UP and CN action through the diamond there, as well at Christopher and Du Quoin. However, after spending the whole day trackside we pretty much caught one train we each like at each location. Turns out after the one train on the busy UP line we caught at Mt. Vernon, that line was shut down the rest of the day till 9pm. We had no clue it was scheduled, but that’s the way trains roll sometime!

The other lines we railfanned were just having a very slow day, however we did catch at least something everywhere we stopped… eventually! The last stop of the day was at Anna, IL where we caught CN A431 being led by CN 2460 (a “Blue Devil” unit) as the very last light of a stormy evening stole the light from the day.

I’ll be posting a few others from the trip along with a couple videos for everyone’s viewing pleasure!

Tech Info: Full Frame Nikon D800, RAW, Sigma 150-600 @ 370mm, f/6, 1/640, ISO 320.

May 5, 1989 - The crew from a eastbound Santa Fe freight prepare to do a roll-by inspection on a passenger train being led by Union X8444 at Blue Cut in southern California's Cajon Pass on their way west to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Los Angeles Union Station, with E-unit 951 trailing. This was the first Southern California appearance of a Union Pacific steam locomotive since 1956.

Eastbound Union X8444 at Blue Cut in Cajon Pass, CA

May 5, 1989 – The crew from a eastbound Santa Fe freight prepare to do a roll-by inspection on a passenger train being led by Union X8444 at Blue Cut in southern California’s Cajon Pass on their way west to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Los Angeles Union Station, with E-unit 951 trailing. This was the first Southern California appearance of a Union Pacific steam locomotive since 1956.

October 20, 2008 - The late evening light rakes across the base of Mormon Rocks as UP 5958 and 6266 (ex-Southern Pacific Unit) lead a west bound freight down the Cajon Pass in southern California. Local legend has it that the rocks were named for the Mormon pioneers who camped here after their descent from the pass ridgeline. Another legend calls the rocks the 'Chanting Rocks,' as when the wind would blow across the portholes in the rocks it was said the sound made was similar to a low chanting or singing.

The late evening light rakes across the base of Mormon Rocks…

October 20, 2008 – The late evening light rakes across the base of Mormon Rocks as UP 5958 and 6266 (ex-Southern Pacific Unit) lead a west bound freight down the Cajon Pass in southern California.

Local legend has it that the rocks were named for the Mormon pioneers who camped here after their descent from the pass ridgeline. Another legend calls the rocks the ‘Chanting Rocks,’ as when the wind would blow across the portholes in the rocks it was said the sound made was similar to a low chanting or singing.

May 1, 2005 - Blast From The Past - The conductor on a Union Pacific freight walks past the American Flag on his engine in the yard at Salem, Illinois. According to the Union Pacific Website: When we added the flag to our locomotives more than a decade ago – at the suggestion of an employee after 9/11 – we followed the tradition of having the Union (the blue field of stars) lead the way, such that on the right-hand side of the vehicle ("passenger side"), the flag would appear reversed. Further, the flag was painted to convey the motion of forward movement as if it were billowing with the speed of the locomotive. Having the Union forward on both sides is the overwhelming choice anytime the flag is portrayed on a transport vehicle, from NASA space shuttles to Air Force One.

The conductor on a Union Pacific freight walks past the American Flag…

May 1, 2005 – Blast From The Past – The conductor on a Union Pacific freight walks past the American Flag on his engine in the yard at Salem, Illinois.

According to the Union Pacific Website: When we added the flag to our locomotives more than a decade ago – at the suggestion of an employee after 9/11 – we followed the tradition of having the Union (the blue field of stars) lead the way, such that on the right-hand side of the vehicle (“passenger side”), the flag would appear reversed.

Further, the flag was painted to convey the motion of forward movement as if it were billowing with the speed of the locomotive. Having the Union forward on both sides is the overwhelming choice anytime the flag is portrayed on a transport vehicle, from NASA space shuttles to Air Force One.

June 21, 2006 - Blast From The Past - It's 9:45 in the morning as Union Pacific 2365 struggles past CP Canyon as it heads east up the Cajon Pass in southern California with a loaded manifest.The pass is one of the busiest rail areas in southern California.

Union Pacific 2365 struggles past CP Canyon…

June 21, 2006 – Blast From The Past – It’s 9:45 in the morning as Union Pacific 2365 struggles past CP Canyon as it heads east up the Cajon Pass in southern California with a loaded manifest.The pass is one of the busiest rail areas in southern California.

February 26, 2020 - Union Pacific 5883 rounds the curve coming into Hanson, Ky as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision with a empty coke train.

Union Pacific 5883 rounds the curve…

February 26, 2020 – Union Pacific 5883 rounds the curve coming into Hanson, Ky as it heads south on the Henderson Subdivision with a empty coke train.

November 13, 2019 - Union Pacific 4014 "Big Boy" locomotive releases built up steam as it sits at the station in Prescott, Arkansas, waiting for time to depart north on UP's Little Rock Subdivision during UP's Great Race Across the Southwest steam tour. According to Wikipedia: Union Pacific 4014 is a four-cylinder simple articulated 4-8-8-4 Big Boy-type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad. Built in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York, No. 4014 is the only operating Big Boy of the eight that remain in existence. The locomotive operated in revenue service until 1959. It was donated to the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society in late 1961 and thereafter displayed in Fairplex in Pomona, California. In 2013, Union Pacific re-acquired the locomotive and launched a restoration project at their Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming.[citation needed] In 2019, No. 4014 was operated for the first time after it sat dormant for almost six decades. Part of Union Pacific's heritage fleet, it now operates in excursion service, in addition to hauling revenue freight during ferry moves.

Union Pacific 4014 “Big Boy” locomotive releases built up steam…

November 13, 2019 – Union Pacific 4014 “Big Boy” locomotive releases built up steam as it sits at the station in Prescott, Arkansas, waiting for time to depart north on UP’s Little Rock Subdivision during UP’s Great Race Across the Southwest steam tour.

According to Wikipedia: Union Pacific 4014 is a four-cylinder simple articulated 4-8-8-4 Big Boy-type steam locomotive owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad. Built in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York, No. 4014 is the only operating Big Boy of the eight that remain in existence.

The locomotive operated in revenue service until 1959. It was donated to the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society in late 1961 and thereafter displayed in Fairplex in Pomona, California. In 2013, Union Pacific re-acquired the locomotive and launched a restoration project at their Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming.[citation needed] In 2019, No. 4014 was operated for the first time after it sat dormant for almost six decades. Part of Union Pacific’s heritage fleet, it now operates in excursion service, in addition to hauling revenue freight during ferry moves.

November 12, 2019 - Union Pacific's "Big Boy" 4014 puts out a huge plume of steam in the cold November air as it departs Hope, Arkansas and heads north on Union Pacific's Little Rock Subdivision on its way to Prescott, AR where it tied down for the night. According to Wikipedia: The Union Pacific Big Boy is a type of simple articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive manufactured by the American Locomotive Company between 1941 and 1944 and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad in revenue service until 1959. The 25 Big Boy locomotives were built to haul freight over the Wasatch mountains between Ogden, Utah, and Green River, Wyoming. In the late 1940s, they were reassigned to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where they hauled freight over Sherman Hill to Laramie, Wyoming. They were the only locomotives to use a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement: four-wheel leading truck for stability entering curves, two sets of eight driving wheels and a four-wheel trailing truck to support the large firebox. Eight Big Boys survive, most on static display at museums across the country. This one, No. 4014, was re-acquired by Union Pacific and restored to operating condition in 2019, regaining the title as the largest and most powerful operating steam locomotive in the world.

Union Pacific’s “Big Boy” 4014 puts out a huge plume of steam in the cold November air as it departs Hope, AR

November 12, 2019 – Union Pacific’s “Big Boy” 4014 puts out a huge plume of steam in the cold November air as it departs Hope, Arkansas and heads north on Union Pacific’s Little Rock Subdivision on its way to Prescott, AR where it tied down for the night.

According to Wikipedia: The Union Pacific Big Boy is a type of simple articulated 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive manufactured by the American Locomotive Company between 1941 and 1944 and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad in revenue service until 1959.

The 25 Big Boy locomotives were built to haul freight over the Wasatch mountains between Ogden, Utah, and Green River, Wyoming. In the late 1940s, they were reassigned to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where they hauled freight over Sherman Hill to Laramie, Wyoming. They were the only locomotives to use a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement: four-wheel leading truck for stability entering curves, two sets of eight driving wheels and a four-wheel trailing truck to support the large firebox.

Eight Big Boys survive, most on static display at museums across the country. This one, No. 4014, was re-acquired by Union Pacific and restored to operating condition in 2019, regaining the title as the largest and most powerful operating steam locomotive in the world.