J. Craig Thorpe: U.S. Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 "Big Boy"

Artist: J. Craig Thorpe
1948 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1995
Image Size: 13.25 by 10 inches
Overall Size: 18 by 13.5 inches
Medium: Oil on Water Color Paper

An engineering feat when it was built in the early 1940's the "Big Boy" locomotive weighed well over 594 tons, seven times the weight of Union Pacific's original 4-4-0s, and was the heaviest reciprocating steam locomotive ever manufactured. The fitting nickname originated when a worker at the manufacturing plant chalked "Big Boy" on the smokebox of the first one built. Constructed for Union Pacific by the American Locomotive Company (Alco) of Schenectady, New York, "Big Boys" were used primarily on UP's main line between Green River, Wyoming, Ogden, Utah, a distance of 176 miles. Some also ran east as far as Cheyenne, Wyoming--another 308 miles. Only 25 "Big Boys" were constructed. On July 21, 1959, Number 4015 made the last run of any of the "Big Boys." Only eight "Big Boys" remain in existence today preserved for educational purposes at various locales throughout the U.S.

This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands First Day Cover for the 55¢ U.S. Big Boy 4-8-8-4 stamp issued August 23, 1996.

Artwork Copyright © 1995 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): Sold

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