Cheyenne’s Big Boy Blows Whistle For the First Time in 60 Years

Cheyenne's Big Boy Steam Engine has been undergoing a 2-year renovation and on Saturday its whistle blew for the first time in 60 years!

I lived in Cheyenne for 5 years and at that time I had a Thomas the Train obsessed toddler. We spent lot's of hours at the Train Depot watching the trains come and go, and even got to tour the depot and check out some of the steam engines.

The Big Boy Steam Engine is undergoing renovation in preparation for the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike. Big Boy will chug down the track to Ogden, Utah for this momentous occasion.

In this video below, created by Vintage Slots, you can see AND hear the whistle go off for the first time in 60 years (2min and 23 sec into the video) and get a great look at all the effort that has gone into this restoration project.

In this article from up.com, you can learn more about the dedicated team that has spent years getting the Big Boy Steam Engine back in full working order.

“This is very heavy work,” said Ed Dickens, head of the Union Pacific Steam Team. “It requires diligent workmanship and close machining tolerances to achieve the results we are delivering. The last time Union Pacific had an articulated locomotive disassembled for this level of repair was in the 1950s.”

This is where I have to admit that the history nerd in me was thrilled to read about all of this. The steam engine is a HUGE part of Wyoming's history and the history of our nation as a whole.

I found myself imagining what it would have been like to see one of these massive steam engines barreling down the tracks in the middle of the vast prairie...and yes in this daydream I am totally wearing a calico dress and a big bonnet ;)

Side Note: We still don't know the "right" number of chuggas to say before you choo choo...