![\"UP](\"https:\/\/www.lacentralrr.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/UP-4014-1.jpg\")
<\/a>The train is reducing speed as it approaches the 90 degree right turn to head in toward the yard. The freight train at left (with Norfolk Southern power) apparently had been in the siding for quite some time, as a crew boarded that train just minutes before the Big Boy arrived with its train.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"UP](\"https:\/\/www.lacentralrr.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/UP-4014-2.jpg\")
<\/a>The train has progressed to near the yard and has stopped for the locomotive to take on water. A U.P. crew and local fire department personnel were waiting at a hydrant near the intersection of Hwy. 81 and the track. Police had the crossing blocked, but folks were allowed to walk down the road to witness the event (which we took advantage of). We were told it would be a few hours to fill the tender, along with the two auxiliary tanks.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"UP](\"https:\/\/www.lacentralrr.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/UP-4014-3.jpg\")
<\/a>It\u2019s early Friday morning now and we\u2019re at our chosen spot, a farm road a bit south of Maringouin, Louisiana. The train has finally come into view, and I captured this scene across a recently harvested soybean field. Note the \u201cprotection\u201d SD70M diesel power behind the water cars. It isn\u2019t needed for power in the flat-lands down here. Interestingly, it\u2019s number is 4015.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"UP](\"https:\/\/www.lacentralrr.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/UP-4014-4.jpg\")
<\/a>Zooming in on the locomotive, the 4014 is just loafing along with a clean stack. That\u2019s sugar cane in the field behind the train, and it\u2019s getting fairly tall. They should start harvesting that in October.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"UP](\"https:\/\/www.lacentralrr.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/UP-4014-5.jpg\")
<\/a>And the Big Boy has cleared the farm road crossing. Several workers had stopped to inquire what we were doing standing around. When we told them the steamer was coming, they stayed nearby so as to see the train passing by.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Later today (Sunday) a few of us plan to run over to Donaldsonville, Louisiana to see the train heading back north from New Orleans on the next leg of its journey. If I’m lucky I may get a few more shots of this spectacular locomotive!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This past week a few friends and I spent some time trackside to view the Union Pacific’s 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive #4014 during its visit to Louisiana. On Thursday two of us traveled west across the Mississippi River to the area … Continue reading