Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Something massively different through the weathering workshops recently - Union Pacific “Big Boy” 4013 from @sindenwilliam
This #short features the classic Rivarossi model dating from 1979 weathered into a heavily used condition.
So, is it the biggest loco in the world? Well sister 4014 is certainly the largest operational steam locomotive by quite a margin, and the class is generally agreed as the largest (including by The Guiness Book of Records), but historically the Baldwin "Yellowstone" 2-8-8-4 was heavier and the Pennsylvania Railroad S-1 was longer.
However, without the tender, the Big Boy has the largest engine body of all reciprocating steam locomotives. Furthermore, if you were to discount all of the unsuccessful and experimental locomotives the Big Boys (along with the N&W Y6 and A, DM&IR locomotives) were amongst the largest of all successful steam locomotives.
For further reading and comparitive tables check out this excellent webpage:
steamlocomotive.com/misc/largest.php
As a footnote, the model loco was so large, that even being in the smaller HO Gauge (1:87 as opposed to OO Gauge 1:76), it still had to run "wrong line" to fit across the viaduct and through the platforms!
Something massively different through the weathering workshops recently - Union Pacific “Big Boy” 4013 from @sindenwilliam
This #short features the classic Rivarossi model dating from 1979 weathered into a heavily used condition.
So, is it the biggest loco in the world? Well sister 4014 is certainly the largest operational steam locomotive by quite a margin, and the class is generally agreed as the largest (including by The Guiness Book of Records), but historically the Baldwin "Yellowstone" 2-8-8-4 was heavier and the Pennsylvania Railroad S-1 was longer.
However, without the tender, the Big Boy has the largest engine body of all reciprocating steam locomotives. Furthermore, if you were to discount all of the unsuccessful and experimental locomotives the Big Boys (along with the N&W Y6 and A, DM&IR locomotives) were amongst the largest of all successful steam locomotives.
For further reading and comparitive tables check out this excellent webpage:
steamlocomotive.com/misc/largest.php
As a footnote, the model loco was so large, that even being in the smaller HO Gauge (1:87 as opposed to OO Gauge 1:76), it still had to run "wrong line" to fit across the viaduct and through the platforms!
