Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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READ:
Now that the 7000+ mile tour across the country in celebration of America 250 has concluded, I think it is fitting to commemorate the historic event with a compilation of clips shot throughout the trip where the Big Boy is working steam (none of that drifting garbage). The shots included are not arranged in chronological order; rather they have been positioned according to train speed, with the latter third of the video dedicated to the various pacing shots I have accumulated of the locomotive this year. Most of this footage shows the engine navigating grades between 1.0% and 2.0%. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights and sounds of a big "4000 Class" pulling tonnage across the rails as it was always meant to =)

FAQ (Read before commenting):
The water overflow from just in front of the rear cylinder on the fireman's side is the exhaust steam injector overflow port. Discharge from this port is normal when starting and stopping the injector, and when the injector switches between live steam and exhaust steam.

The diesel locomotive, while no longer necessary for PTC compliance, will continue to periodically be used where it is expedient for steam locomotive fuel conservation and assistance on long, sustained grades for power & dynamic braking. That said, in most of the clips included in the compilation, the diesels are not assisting the 4014.

Rough table of contents:
0:00 - Starting & drag speed operation
18:07 - 20-30 mph
19:32 - 35-40 mph
25:24 - Speer Junction, 30 mph
27:29 - Pacing
36:55 - Sanding flues
37:35 - Pacing

Source videos listed below.

4014 reroute through Feather River Canyon:
youtube.com/watch?v=ZrGB11scHMg

4014 unassisted over Wasatch Grade:
youtube.com/watch?v=UzF-jwy2fdc

4014 traversing the NS Southern Tier:
youtube.com/watch?v=1U-rqjMkYe4

4014 visiting the Reading & Northern:
youtube.com/watch?v=GIETkVPy7E8

4014 around Horseshoe Curve:
youtube.com/watch?v=TbeOLjYS7zI

4014 through Colorado 2026:
youtube.com/watch?v=RPtm5EBkWEA