Scranton in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Union Pacific #4012

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

1. Union Pacific #4012 Marker

On the right side is an advertisement that ran, boasting of the Big Boys used by the railroad.

Inscription. Locomotive #4012 is a 4-8-8-4 Big Boy. The Big Boys were the longest and among the largest and most powerful steam locomotives in the world.

Even with their great size, the Big Boys were capable of reaching speeds in excess of eighty miles per hour. Steamtown's #4012 is 132'-10" long and with a loaded tender weighs 1,189,500 pounds. In service it carried twenty-eight tons of coal, 24,000 gallons of water, and developed a tractive force of 135,375 pounds.

Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for the Union Pacific Railroad prior to and during World War II. They hauled long, heavy troop and freight trains over the steep grades of the Wasatch Mountains east of Salt Lake City. They were the ultimate in modern, main-line, heavy-duty steam locomotives.

Erected by Steamtown Nataionl Historic Site - National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 41° 24.513′ N, 75° 40.308′ W. Marker is in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in Lackawanna County. Marker is on Mechanic Street, on the left when traveling east. Located between the main rail line and the parking area of Steamtown National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Scranton PA 18503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

Paid Advertisement

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other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Canadian National Railways #47 (within shouting distance of this marker); Bullard Company #2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Oil House Foundation (within shouting distance of this marker); Steamtown (within shouting distance of this marker); Oil House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Oil House (about 300 feet away); Tank Car (about 300 feet away); 1902 Roundhouse Office (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scranton.

Also see . . . Union Pacific #4012. (PDF) More details from the Park Service site. (Submitted on June 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Union Pacific #4012 Marker next to the Locomotive and a Switch Engine image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

2. Union Pacific #4012 Marker next to the Locomotive and a Switch Engine

Union Pacific #4012 "Big Boy" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

3. Union Pacific #4012 "Big Boy"

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 885 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.