After *YEARS* - I got to see Big Boy 4014 IN PERSON! + road trip shenanigans... 

Imagine being the guy going to see "big boy" and accidentally bumping into a youtuber you're subbed to. Salute to you sir.

Weirdly one of my favorite parts is hyce getting recognized. I know I don't know him personally but I feel very proud of him for growing and doing what he's doing. Here's some love from a random fan ❤

What you need to do is invite Ed down to run the 491 and then he will invite you up to Cheyenne to run the Big Boy. Sounds like a plan to me.

I drove from Phoenix to Tucson in 2019 when they did the 150 anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad. I happened to see it chugging out of Casa Grande, so diverted and followed along with it for a few miles. Once they got it parked I did the walk around and talked to the crew. As someone who has made a living working around 747's, A-380's, and other massive machines: Big Boy is the most impressive thing I have stood next to since the Space Shuttle. The engineering that went into it is just incredible.

I love how you and Brett just perpetually speak in obscure pop culture references. And even better, I get most of them!

I got to walk around 4014 in Mexia, TX. I'm not a huge railfan but seeing it pull up, stop for maintenance and photos, and leave was the most amazing experience that'll stay with me for the rest of my life.

In 2019 I made the journey to Des Moines to see the Big Boy on its first excursion tour since being restored. It was the first time in 30 years I had ever taken a vacation and it was by far one of the most expensive things I had ever done but it was worth it. Decades earlier my Grandfather who was a photographer for National Geographic took a picture of 4004 when it was first put on display so there was a personal connection to the class as well.

Okay that settles it! The Museum is getting dual gauged, more trackage and a hookup to the main railway network... Reason? Ed wants to visit with the Big Boy and run a slightly enlarged loop around the museum :D

Love the story of how the big boys got their name. An unknown employee of the (i believe) construction company (could also be an union pacific employee) written big boy on the smoke box door. The other employee's found it so hilarious the entire class ended up being named big boy

I've seen 4014 in person a few years ago and it's an incredible experience.

Fun fact about the Big Boy it weighs as much as a 747 Boeing aircraft, and it’s not even half ones size. So yeah that’s a lot o Pittsburgh steel moving. Amazing video Hyce

Big choochoo go BRRRR! Honestly you guys sounded like you were having so much fun following Big Boy around. It really is an impressive machine.

The first steam engine I ever seen in person, was 3985 when it came through my small Louisiana town in 1996. 25 years later, I got to see her big sister roll through the same town (with a stuck injector lol).

Props to you for focusing on seeing it for real instead of getting a good shot. There's so much video of this out there already, its worth cherishing your individual moment with it.

I've been extremely lucky, as I have been able to see 4014 not just once, but THREE separate times, as I live close to both Warrensberg and Lexington Mo, and holy moly, it is certainly an experience that is unforgettable. Especially since we don't actually have any steam heritage railways (at least for full sized locos) since the national transportation museum stopped running their locos.

Glad to see your first experience with 4014 went better than mine. First time I saw it with 844, I was in Cheyenne and they just took the engines straight to the steam shop without even letting anyone see them. The second time the next year went much better

The whole video just reminds me of very early RU-vid videos when every video was just someone with a camera having fun. Low editing, no script, very real basically home videos. Very nostalgic.

So, watching you guys on this adventure....all the reactions, would be mine exactly too! BIG CHOO CHOO!!!! Also, hearing the difference when 4014 runs with its little train, it sounds almost dainty over the videos. But hearing 4014 when pushing that freight train that stalled.....you could absolutely hear the difference in the sound even over video....it went from little cuffs to what sound almost like full on barks. Steam is so epic....And you guy have had me dying laughing!

Only time I ever got to see 4014 was when it was still static at the fairgrounds. Very impressive loco. I doubt I’ll ever get to see it run, so thank you HYCE for the vid.

I saw the 4014 many times at the fairgrounds in Pomona as a child thru to my teens. I climbed on it and wondered what it would have been like to see this beast come alive and steam again. Well, it happened and I haven’t seen this thing since. To dream

So happy that you guys were finally able to see 4014... I could tell that Ed was in highball mode since they left Pine Bluffs and was awesome to see that wheel slip.... I wonder if they'll make it out to Portland to see Doyle and 4449...

I am so glad you got a chance to see her. I used to chase the FEF-3 and Challenger when I was in Colorado and it was a ball. Out here we see the 611 come through once in a while on the way to Spencer from Roanoke. I caught her passing my work one afternoon pulling some freight. Remember - as long as you are chasing - you are foamers too... at least for the day. The MAIN thing is you had fun. 👍

Ok, most favorite video of mine from you, Hyce, RIGHT HERE. I just love the inside the car shot of just train talk with the "King of Steam" in the background.

Can’t fool me, I recognize that landscape. You’re just coming up on somewhere. My first thought was somewhat close to nowhere, but then corrected myself after asking someone who knew something about the area, and who actually lived somewhat close to nowhere. “No, you’re going nowhere. Turn around if you wish to go somewhere. Navigation can be so difficult when driving in the West. You must ask locals if you want to get anywhere. Hey finally gets to see the big one.

That was absolutely amazing Mark! So glad you got to see Big Boy in person. Your video as it began to pull away was excellent! Made me feel like I was actually there! My mouth dropped open watching it in action while you and Brett followed along. To quote Brett, “impressive.” And with the ride along shenanigans with Brett couldn’t have asked for better. Many thanks Mark for sharing your amazing experience with us (all the more special since I have yet to see in person)! As always Professor, cheers to you!

Good stuff! I remember as a little kid, soaking up all the railway knowledge I could from books and TV and stuff, looking at a Big Boy model train catalogue and being a little sad that there wasn't a running example. There was 3985 at the time, but that's not quite the same. And I remember someone, probably my grandfather, said "Maybe some day they'll restore a Big Boy". Yeah, maybe some day... I stopped being as plugged into railway things for a while, and then a couple years ago, I learn they *were* restoring one, and that it's almost done. Seeing that news, and then photos and videos from 4014's first excursions was a little affirmation that sometimes, dreams come true, even if it takes 20 years!

You guys are having more fun than you deserve.

I got to see her when she came out to Chester IL back in 2021. The furthest east she’s ever came, and thankfully only an hour or so from where I live. Being within ~10 or so feet from this monstrous machine, even while crawling at like, 10mph, is an unreal experience

Hey HYCE, huge railfan here, I found an interesting piece of history you might enjoy. I am a proud minnesotan, and the pride of the Northern Pacific line was the DM&IR Yellowstone Locomotives. There are 3 left in the world, one on display in the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, 1 in Proctor Minnesota, and another in Two Harbors, but there are remains actually all the way out in your neck of the woods. I cant find the video anymore, but back in the late 40s or early 50s, the steel industry was in a bit of an economic downturn, so they leased some of their locomotives to other railroads. Mainly the Denver and Rio Grande. #224 was on lease there when it crashed. I'll let you find the rest of the details if you find this comment at all.

I've always gotten a kick out of 4014 dragging a diesel along. The locomotive doesn't have any problem going (even with the diesel doing everything it can to stop it), but it does need help stopping if it doesn't want to eat some very expensive brake pads.

That whistle gives me goosebumps… I LOVE IT

I know nothing about trains (Newfoundland, Canada, we don't have any) but I stumbled across your channel today. I've watched several hours of your 101s on steam engines and I've learned so much! Got this video ready to go and learn about what a Big Boy is next. Thank you for your passion giving me some joy!

That was pretty cool, thanks for taking us along

The legendary Big Boy... when I heard they were restoring it I could hardly believe it, and when I heard they were coming to MY HOMETOWN, I could not have been more excited. Seeing him up close and personal like I did, that was the chance of a lifetime. One I'd be eager to repeat if it ever came to Fort Worth again.

I am 21 now, it is a goal in my life to see this engine in person. My ears may bleed, but i know it’ll be a fun time. Fun vid as always Hyce!

Man I'm jealous. Been wanting to go chasing steam just lack the funds lol. It's so cool that people are starting to recognize you!

How much tractive effort? Big Boy: yes

Love your content Hyce! I'm a steam romantic in Australia where we also have a vibrant heritage steam movement. How awesome it would be to see the Big Boy running.....thanks for bringing your experience to the rest of us!

8:09 300 PSI superheated steam sure is loud! Really puts into puts into perspective of what 550-ish PSI superheated steam would have been like on WWII era ships!

The 4014 is the lucky one, it finally got to meet Hyce 😂

Chased it two years ago for a day when it was on its way to Chicago. Loved seeing her crossing the Mississippi and chasing her north. The crowds were nuts.

Enjoyed watching the Big Boy adventure! Thanks for taking us all a long Hyce!

Seeing the big boy in Texas was one of the funnest things I’ve ever done. Followed it from Dallas to Houston and even got to take my engagement pics on it thanks to Ed. Seeing and feeling the size of that thing is amazing. My wife isn’t a train fan like me but even she was in awe seeing it.

I I know what it feels like man it’s amazing when saw Big boy, running and right in front of my face. I almost cried it’s a beautiful sight to see glad you got to experience it.

When I was in grad school in Mississippi, I played hookie one day in 2019 to chase the Big Boy on that first tour across Arkansas. I remember one little town in particular where it was a little quieter, so I was along the tracks as it came through at speed and absolutely shook my soul as it passed.

Welcome to where I was born and raised. I loved that explanation "Nowhere to middle of nowhere." That describes it very well. I would love to see the 4014 in person, but I don't know if I'll ever get back home or not.

Glad you got to see it! 611 rolled through my near town of Hickory NC and I unfortunately missed it, but I hope to still see it someday.

I will never get tired of hearing the whistle on that large thing!

I'm so glad I got to see it in person a couple years ago. I've seen quite a few steam engines but the size and power of the Big Boy is amazing. Glad you got to see it!

I managed to see 4014 arriving in Ogden on May 8, 2019. And got to be at Promontory on the 10th. I never got see 4014 at speed, though, and you have. If something ever brings you to St. Louis, would be hysterical to run into you.

Y’all are fun! Thanks for the ride along 😄

I remember when I saw 4014 back in 2019 it was both a great time and a heart breaking time because i had lost father a few months before. He was the reason I'm a train enthusiast and we had been planning to see 4014 for years when we herd it was going to be restored. I had already seen 4018 several times there is picture of me as a 1 or 2 year old sitting on one of the the side rods. You never get used to just how big it is.

Fun fact, the tender that 4044 is now using is actually the tender for EX UP Challenger 3985. The real tender that was with 4044 is now in Silvis, Illinois being restored by the RRHMA Heritage Railroad shops and will be returned to Cheyenne, WY and the 2 tenders will be swapped to put them back to their original steam engines.

I used to live in Kemmerer, WY in my teens, and I remember the day when UP #844 came through town and I went down to see it. Even better, they actually stopped at the tracks that ran right past the town and I got to get really up close and personal with it. It was a nice throwback to my childhood, where growing up my dad worked at Golden Spike and I got a cab ride in the #119 as a kid, and even got to blow the whistle!

Very awesome Hyce! My favorite part seeing it in person was definitely the glorious whistle. It hits you in the chest and you just feel the power of the Choochoo.

I got to ride the 844 when I was a senior in high school from North Platte to Cheyenne. We got stuck behind a freight train just east of Archer hill (by the Sapp Bros sign) for 2 hours. One of my favorite days! Congrats on finally seeing the Big Choo! 😎

8:44 I like the way the driver perfectly threw in a bit of wheel-slip to get to "double chuffing". Nice!

What a cool day. You got me at 23:50, I am fortunate to live by the tracks.

Man she got started so effortlessly

So so so cool that you got to see the Big Boy!!!!

Thanks for taking us along for the ride!

Thanks for sharing this adventure chasing the big choo-choo. Also, that Mos Eisley Cafe/hard rock shirt was fun too.

4015... That little Green Noser of an Engine. Fun Fact: Union Pacific paints the leading hoods of their Diesels either Green or Grey so that the paint doesn't reflect light into the Drivers eyes or cause glare to white out the wind shields.

Congrats on finally getting to see it in person. It was fun when they brought it down as a double header with the 844 to Ogden Utah for the Spike 150 celebration. We got to get close enough to touch it while it was parked at the Union Station in downtown Ogden

excellent video Hyce watching these videos reminds me why i am into trains and being able to see stream doing the thing and running is a treat for itself keep up the great work as always.

Awesome video. So glad you finally got to see the Large Lad Locomotive!

I love your focus on the trip itself in addition to BigBoy. Road trips with friends are the best and one day I’d like to do one of any kind.

I got to see the 4014 and it’s whole consist during it’s midwestern excursion some years ago. I drove to the St. Paul Union Depot and got to see the thing up close. It really is hard to appreciate the size of such a locomotive on camera. If anyone has seen MILW 261 it also makes visits to the St. Paul Union Depot. One of my favorite steamers.

I got to see 4014 in 2019 as it was making its rounds through Iowa. I remember watching it roll over former Chicago Great Western track in my hometown and taking a moment to stop with the electric locomotives of the Iowa Traction Railway. A good summer for sure

I remember seeing Big Boy. Just happened to be in McAlester, Ok when I was passing through to move in at college in Ada, Ok. What a sight to behold! Pictures can't do justice to simply how much of a presence that beast has

13:40 Great filming, on video it almost looks like a model trainset. Must've been very impressive up close

I feel like you did. I love steam but have never seen 4014 running. I have been on it when it was at the fairgrounds. I lived less than 10 miles away from it when it was there. The crowds and the pure craziness when it came to SoCal last time kept me away. I want to see it but I think I will need to travel if I really want to enjoy it. You guys did it right. Middle of nowhere with a smallish crowd.

It was a surreal experience getting to hear and capture Big Boy numerous times in Council Bluffs before and after the college world series.

I’ve seen 4014 a few times, every time it’s been through Omaha (and when it was going south through Kearney) I’ve seen it, including when they shoved the freight in Blair. 2019, 2021 & 2023

I got to see 4014 on it's way to california a few years ago. My take on it is, you think that its going to be big, you expect big, but its so much bigger, its ginormous. Totally worth it! Then to experience it leaving, the earth moved.

Nice seeing you at Pine Bluffs. Glad you had a good trip. The elesco exhaust injector is good for 14,000 gal/hr, and the nathan live injector is good for 12,500 gal/hr.

Awesome man I've been lucky enough to seen it twice as its rolled through Texas. It's absolutely amazing in person.

Perfect timing!

Your chase looked fairly calm compared to 2019 from Vegas to yermo was like a scene from mad max . Planes helicopter 4x4 razors cars etc...good times

So glad you got too see Bigboy, I am building a not quite HO scale running model of 4014

i love the super serious chase videos, and i absolutely LOVE hilarious non serious "out with the pal" videos like this lol.

Your anecdote about 4014's whistle "not being very loud... until it was" reminds me of the time I chased 1309 with my dad. I stood so close to her at one point that I didn't even realize my dad was cheering until it was about 50 feet past us.

I’m so glad you got to see Big Boy!! You know, if I was driving in the middle of nowhere, at the beginning of the video, I WOULD’VE FLOORED IT IN THAT CAR FOR THAT LONG STRAIGHT AWAYS

I was a young kid back in the late eighties played on that locomotive at the Pomona fair grounds while we parents were showing their horses. I can remember there was a old timer who worked for the museum said that they would never restore such a locomotive again. So am so glad they did.

Hyce... I grew up climbing all over the UP 4014, it was parked in Pomona at the LA fairgrounds. °my grandads Climax locomotive (sunkist) was right behind her when they came to move her back to the mainline. I am a member of the Timber Heritage association and we are trying to get our steam operational someday. and Yes the whistle is Loud!

Hyce, I wanted to give you my belated thanks for your video a couple of months ago with its wonderful explanation of the functions of the diesel locomotive in the 4014's runs. Although I consider myself fairly well technically informed, I had thought that the main function of the diesel locomotive on a steam excursion was for dynamic braking in an emergency and to avoid having a disabled steam locomotive blocking a main line. I hadn't thought about the savings realized on everything from bearings to brake shoes by not having the 4014 needing to run nearly wide open at every departure, or the reduced wear on all mechanical components from not routinely having to sand the rails. I also didn't realize that there was much more to the PTC system than the monitor in 4014's cab. Thank you!

I would love to see the Big Boy someday and with a good buddy . I'm kind of jealous right now but you deserved to see it, congrats.

YES you got to see 4014!

I had a chance to get in the cab of big boy but I missed a cut off date atleast you get to see it 👍

😂Dang. Wish you boys would cheer up. , Haven't seen 4014. But I did get to touch the left cylinder on 844 in Gorham I'll 12 years ago. I don't know how they made such big engines. Oh I'll have what you guys are having. Send to Help me smile again"was married". Keep on trucking Brett🇺🇸😁🌹

I had an opportunity to see it in 2019 in Tucson and then chase it all the way to Lordsburg NM where they stopped for the night. It was an amazing experience and was glad I was able see it in action.

@7:40 I got curious so looked it up. It is specified as 20gal/mile of oil and 200gal/mile of water. I assume this is the max at it's stated maximum speed of 80mph. That would mean 1600gal oil and 16000gal water each hour (or 4.4 gal water each second) So it can travel not much more than an hour or 80miles when it runs at full speed. before it runs out of water. Yeah I'm nerding out here as well. What an awesome piece of mechanical engineering! Too bad I'm not likely to see it in person anytime soon (I live in the Netherlands) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_4014

Yeah, my dad and I would pick a spot for a run by or stop the few times we've seen the 4014. Doesn't matter which, its been worth it!

The Big Boy is surprisingly stately looking as it moves. I never really thought that until watching this. Also, god I wish I had some train friends near my I could chase with...

thats great Hyce! I need to make the effort to go see it.

I love watching the big boys as she works

Hmm yes very big choo choo. I think I’m gonna go see it next year.

Congrats! Seeing Big Boy up close at the 2019 Golden Spike Sesquicentennial was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced, especially being nearby when the whistle blew 😩😩😩 I got a nice video of Big Boy and 844 running through Weber Canyon on their way out of Ogden, too. That's on my channel of you want to take a look for some reason

That part of Nebraska is where I work out of. Great place to be. Population also includes trains, lots of trains. The big coffee pot shapes water tower is the sign for the Sapp Brothers brand of truck stops. They tend to be pretty good places, I stop at them often.

I saw it back in 2019 when it rolled through Minnesota on it’s Midwest tour they did after the “Race to Promontory”. Got some pics of it when it was in Saint Paul and Duluth, MN.