Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 can now operate on its own, without a diesel locomotive in tow. The legendary locomotive was recently outfitted with an updated Positive Train Control (PTC) system, a federally mandated system designed to stop certain rail incidents before they occur. The new system’s components – computer, GPS satellite and radio antennas – are now entirely housed within Big Boy and its tender. This equipment used to be mounted and connected by hard wire to an accompanying diesel locomotive. The system has been tested and is ready for use on Big Boy’s upcoming 2024 Westward Bound Tour from Wyoming to California. “We are still going to travel with a diesel locomotive most of the time – saving wear and tear on Big Boy’s brakes and extending fuel and water, when needed – but this is going to give our Steam team greater flexibility to park the locomotive, switch the train or operate Big Boy solely as needed,” said Ed Dickens, manager-Heritage Operations and Big Boy loco...