Cheyenne in Laramie County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Cheyenne's Big Boy 4004

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 27, 2016

1. Cheyenne's Big Boy 4004 Marker

Inscription.
Twenty-five Big Boys, the world's largest steam engines, were built exclusively for Union Pacific by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York between 1941 and 1944. Each locomotive was 132 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds. Because of their great length, the frames of the the Big Boys were "hinged" or articulated to allow them to negotiate curves. During construction of the first engine, a worker chalked "Big Boy" on the smoke box door, and the nickname was adopted. The massive engines normally operated on the rugged run between Cheyenne and Ogden, Utah.

On October 31, 1958, Cheyenne's 4004 took its final run, traveling from Cheyenne to Laramie. It was stored for a few years in Laramie before being donated to the City of Cheyenne. The 4004 was moved to Holliday Park on June 28, 1963 on 600 feet of temporary track connecting the park with Union Pacific's track. Cheyenne's 4004 is one of eight remaining Big Boys on display throughout the country.

Other train attractions in Cheyenne
Cheyenne Depot (121 W. 15th St.) • Cheyenne Depot Museum (121 W. 15th St.) • Engine 1242 (Carey Ave. & Lions

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Park Dr.) • French Merci Train (2001 E. Lincolnway) • Ames Monument (West on I-80, Exit 329)

Erected by City of Cheyenne.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is October 31, 1958.

Location. 41° 8.207′ N, 104° 48.004′ W. Marker is in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in Laramie County. It can be reached from East Lincolnway (Route 30) near Nation Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1142 East Lincolnway, Cheyenne WY 82001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Wyoming’s Laramie Basin. It is also in the American Mountain West,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "The Mighty Big Boy" (a few steps from this marker); Babbitt Baxter House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Thomas and Ruie Hunter Home (approx. 0.6 miles away);

Cheyenne's Big Boy 4004 and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 27, 2016

2. Cheyenne's Big Boy 4004 and Marker

Barkwell House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cheyenne Builders and Architects (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Cheyenne Club (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named The Cheyenne Club (approx. ¾ mile away); Preservation of the Wyoming Historic Governor's Mansion (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cheyenne.

More about this marker. The Big Boy Locomotive is located in Holliday Park.

Also see . . . Big Boy 4014 Steam Train: Headin' Home Tour - YouTube. (Submitted on June 15, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Cheyenne's Big Boy Steam Locomotive #4004 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 27, 2016

3. Cheyenne's Big Boy Steam Locomotive #4004

In Memory of Dr. Ralph C. Gramlich image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 27, 2016

4. In Memory of Dr. Ralph C. Gramlich

"Big Boy" the world's largest steam locomotive No. 4004 built in 1941. Designed especially for use by the Union Pacific on its rugged Cheyenne to Ogden, Utah run. Retired from service October 1958. Weight 1,208,750 lbs. Overall lengtg 132 ft. 9-3/4". Fuel capacity 28 tons, water capacity 25,000 gallons, cost of locomotive $265,000.00. 44,545 miles run.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2,201 times since then and 166 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 15, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.