The real "Big Boy" locomotive was built by the American Locomotive Company. It was classified as a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, meaning that it had 4 guide wheels, two sets of 8 driver wheels and 4 trailing wheels. The "Big Boy" is the largest steam powered locomotive ever built. It was operated by the Union Pacific Railroad Company. There were 25 of these locomotives built and they were in operation from 1941 till 1959. They were primarily in operation in the Union Pacific's Wyoming division working between Green River, Wyoming and Ogden, Utah, pulling freight over the Wasatch mountains. The "Big Boy" and its tender were 136' long (almost the length of half a football field), and weighted almost 1,000,000 pounds. Its fuel was coal.

The wooden replica was built by Bob Myers. Bob always strives for as much detail as possible in all of his replicas. All pieces were completely hand made using a scroll saw, various sanders and Dremel tools used for shaping the wood parts. There were approximately 20 different types of wood used. Straight pin heads were used for rivets and railroad spikes. The cab interior is completely detailed. Using his training as an aerodynamic engineer, Bob always designs working parts and linkages to be functional. The piston rods and drive linkages actually moved while the replica was being assembled, showing that all geometries in the linkages were correct , but was then glued in place. As this model was completely hand made, its guaranteed that it is truly on of a kind.

Train raffle tickets purchased online will be processed in our office; if you are the winner we will contact you. Drawing is at 5pm August 11th at Glidden Homestead. Need not be present to win.

To buy tickets please visit:

Here to get 5 tickets for $20

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