Description
Enjoy completing this 500-piece puzzle of Big Boy No. 4014 as it makes its first westbound run across the Union Pacific Overland Route main line on May 5, 2019 at Red Desert, Wyo.
Trailing No. 4014 is UP 4-8-4 No. 844 and a special passenger consist on its way to Ogden, Utah, for the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike.
This detailed, high-resolution image measures 15" x 21" upon completion. A bonus poster is included as a handy reference during assembly.
Created exclusively for Trains magazine by Masterpieces, Inc.
*Jim Wrinn, photo credit
Reviews
Union Pacific’s American Locomotive Works-built 4-8-8-4 #4014 (“Big Boy”) has become the star in this new Kalmbach 500-piece color puzzle. As railroaders are aware, the #4014 was one of 20 such nearly 595-ton locomotives and tenders originally built for the railroad in 1941, and was recently reconditioned for service. The #4014 was acquired from a California park, towed 1,300 miles, rebuilt by UP’s shop crews and has been paraded over UP rails for the public.
The massive 4-8-8-4, which stretches 132 feet, 9 inches over couplers, is the centerpiece of Kalmbach’s new, appealing puzzle, shown doubleheading with engine #844 on the mainline with a string of brightly-colored Union Pacific yellow passenger cars. Two additional tenders, as well as a UP diesel make up the front end motive power of the train.
The chipboard puzzle pieces are each approximately an inch by 3/4” square, are sturdy and well-cut. The pieces are made of recycled chipboard and present a glossy smooth surface. I began my puzzle fun by extracting the pieces showing the front of the #4014 which include the headlight, top number boards, marker lights and bell. From there I worked back down the engine and tender to the second steam locomotive, then the diesel and then the trailing cars. With the current Pandemic, this puzzle should keep railfans occupied with some good, creative fun, and bring families together to share the puzzle experience as well. Depending on how fast you work, completing the puzzle will likely take a number of hours to complete.
—By Don Heimburger Heimburger House Publishing Co.