10600 UP Big Boy 4-8-8-4, #4014, 250th Celebration West Coast Tour Appearance, Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, Smoke, HO

When railfans think of “big steam,” one locomotive almost always comes to mind: the Big Boy.

The World's Most Famous Steam Locomotive

Often regarded as the largest steam locomotive ever built—and certainly a contender for the world's most famous locomotive—the Big Boy was created to meet some of the most demanding operating requirements ever placed on a steam engine. The Union Pacific Railroad needed a locomotive capable of hauling a 3,600-ton train over Sherman Hill and the 1.14% grade between Ogden and Wasatch, Utah, without the assistance of helper locomotives.

When the final design specifications were completed, Union Pacific and ALCO settled on a simple articulated locomotive built for both power and speed. Measuring 132 feet in length and riding on sixteen 68-inch drivers, the resulting 4-8-8-4 was among the longest, heaviest, and most powerful steam locomotives ever constructed. Legend has it that had an ALCO worker not chalked the words “Big Boy” on the smokebox of one of the locomotives during construction—a nickname that immediately captured the imagination of everyone who saw it—the class may have instead become known as the "Wasatch," named for the mountains it was designed to conquer.

Historical Perspective

A quote from Worlds Greatest Steam Locomotives by Eugene L. Huddleston:

“There were 25 locomotives fabricated in two different groups. Class 1 were locomotives #4000-4019 and Class 2 was numbered 4020-4024. The first Big Boy #4000 was delivered to Omaha, NE on September 5, 1941. Union Pacific's commitment to the Big Boy required them to replace the lighter rail and straighten out many miles of track for clearance, as well as to resize elements of their service areas (such as turntable lengths, etc.) for the entire line these locos would run on.”

Throughout their storied careers, the Big Boys demonstrated remarkable strength, reliability, and speed. With each locomotive averaging approximately one million miles of service, these giants of steam unquestionably earned their legendary reputation.

This Production Run

In this release, BLI proudly presents 14 models representing these iconic locomotives. Headlining the lineup are three new versions of locomotive No. 4014, featuring updated details to accurately reflect its appearance during the locomotive's recent excursions. These include versions depicting its 250th Anniversary Tour appearances on both the West Coast and East Coast, as well as a 2025 configuration equipped with smoke deflectors.

In addition to the new 4014 offerings, BLI is producing two road numbers in their 1941 as-delivered configuration featuring the original aftercooler arrangement, along with two road numbers representing their 1944 appearance equipped with Wilson aftercoolers.

Models will be available with our Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC system featuring synchronized puffing smoke, as well as in our Stealth DCC-Ready series. Stealth models include a factory-installed speaker and a 21-pin decoder interface, making it easy to install the aftermarket decoder of your choice.

Industry-leading Model Features

• ALL-NEW Paragon4 Sound & Control System
• Synchronized Puffing Smoke with Chuff Sound
• Variable Puffing Smoke Intensity and timing
• Separate Whistle Smoke Feature - smoke streams from whistle area when whistle is blown
• Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
• Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
• 5-Pole Can Motor with Skew Wound Armature
• Heavy Die Cast Boiler, Tender Body, and Chassis for Increased Tractive Effort
• Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Scheme
• Prototypical Light Operation with Separately Controllable Headlight, Reverse Light, Cab Light, Front Numberboards, Front Marker Lights, Rear Marker Lights
• Factory-installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
• Optional Smoke Hood can be Installed if Desired
• Optional Operating Front Coupler Included in Box
• Prototypically Accurate Details for Each Road Number
• Two After-cooler variations - As-Delivered for the Class-1 and Wilson Aftercooler for the Class-2 models
• Three Accurately Modeled Tender Variations: 25-C-100 for the Class-1 models, 25-C-400 for the Class-2 models, and the appropriate Challenger #3985 tender for the #4014 Excursion Service models
• Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Ladders, Piping, Cab Glass, Whistle, Brass Bell, Markers, Numberboards, Air Tanks, and Many Others
• Equipped with Rubber Traction Tires for Increased Pulling Power
• Recommended Minimum Radius: 18 inches
• Accurate Prototypical Sounds for the Union Pacific Big Boys
• Locomotive Weight: 2 lbs 15.5 oz
• Tender Weight: 15.5 oz
• Coupler to Coupler Length: 19 inches
• Wheelbase: 16.5 inches