BIG BOY NUMBER 4014

     Vern Modeland, BHS-50, wrote, "while I'd love to be on board, I'd hope you'd tell me something about the steam engine, other than a nickname. Is "Big Boy" a Baldwin or some other make? Is it a 4-8-8-4 configuration, 4-6-6-2 or what? Railroad workers and fans likely would be pleased for some details."
     The Kornerman understands the Big Boy has faced some flooding problems through Nebraska enroute from Cheyenne, WY to Omaha. However, as far as I know, it has now arrived in Omaha and the scheduled trip to Boone will take place on Monday, July 15 as scheduled.
     Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in 1941. It was retired in 1961 after traveling well over a million miles while it was in service. The railroad reacquired the locomotive in 2013 and sent it to Cheyenne for restoration.
     It has come to Omaha to participate in Omaha Railroad Days this weekend, which consists of a series of train-themed events including the ride from Omaha to Boone on a train pulled by a 1940's steam engine to cap off the celebration.
     Tickets for the ride went from $400 to $750 with the proceeds benefitting the sponsoring Union Pacific Railroad Museum. After arriving in Boone, the passengers will disembark and travel back to Omaha via luxury motor coach.
     Friend Vern wanted more specific information so.....
     The American Locomotive Company manufactured 25 Big Boys for the Union Pacific. Two groups of 10 were built in 1941 and a group of five in 1944. Weighing more than 604 ton, it was 132 feet in length overall (the locomotive 85 foot), 11 foot wide and 16 foot in height. With a power capacity of more than 6,000 horsepower, it could achieve a speed of 70 miles power. Longer than two city buses, it is powerful enough to pull 16 Statues of Liberty over a mountain range.
     The wheel arrangement was designated 4-8-8-4 and it operated on 4 x 8 1/2 standard gauge.
     Eight Big Boys still survive.
     It must be a "sight to see."
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     Alright, all you out-of-state non-believers..........
     Here's another of numerous plaudits for your old stomping grounds.
     Bankrate, in its 2019 rating of the best and worst states to retire in, ranks Iowa number two as the BEST state to retire in. Somehow, neighboring Nebraska got the top rating.
     Interested in the bottom five? They are Washington, Illinois, Alaska, New York and poor Maryland.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Lathen Ely, 48, Boone. BHS-88......Helen Gibbons Bergman, 74, Stratford, formerly of Boone. BHS-63. Married Jerry Bergman in 1964. She worked for Iowa Workplace Development for 26 years. Boone area survivors are her husband, Jerry, and a son, Jeffrey (Spank) Bergman of Stratford...............Carl Lee Crnkovich, 94, Granger. Born in Madrid. Marine vet. Married Doris Butenhoff in 1952. Worked at Firestone for 33 years prior to retirement in 1985. Survivors include his son, Brian Crnkovich of Woodward and grandsons, Brian Crnkovich and Taylor Brown, both of Madrid.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.