Big Boy - The Race to Ogden (an Australian perspective)

The Race to Ogden departed Cheyenne, Wyoming on Saturday, May 4 2019 with newly-restored Big Boy locomotive 4014 leading FEF 844.
Big Boy, with a wheel arrangement of 4-8-8-4 is the largest operating steam locomotive in the world. Union Pacific Railroad commissioned the restoration of the giant to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the railroad joining the US coast to coast at Promontory, Utah in 1869.
844, is an FEF class 4-8-4 and known as the ‘living legend’ as the steam engine has never been retired from Union Pacific’s roster.
Diesel-electric locomotive 8937 is an EMD SD70Ace(H) locomotive and part of the regular UP roster. It was in the consist to provide dynamic braking and extra load for the Big Boy as the UP crew gently bedding-in the massive steam locomotive.